auger bits

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

kknaas

Member
Location
Indiana
I was wondering what brand of ship auger bits others are using? I have heard that the quality of the lenox bits have gone down. Is this true just for lenox or for other brands also?
 
I gone through a bunch of Greenlee's...could be wear, abuse or quality issues ??? Most of them I have had for quite awhile.

I just bought a new "Irwin Speedbor MAX Spade Bits":
3041004_sm.jpg
3041004_alt3.jpg

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd160002
Doesn't look like a spade to me.

I should be breaking it in next week ...if the GC ever gets his act together.
I'll give my "review" then.
 
My power tool dealer carries a line of generic bits called "Magna" or something similar to that sound. They're a duplicate of the Greenlee NailEater bits, but half the price. I can't tell the difference. The saw sharpening shop charges 1 dollar to sharpen them, so I havn't had to buy new bits in a year or so. The screw point wears out, which is when I need to trash the bit. Generally get 4 or 5 sharpenings before the screw point is too worn to drag the bit through the wood.
 
big vic said:
Ideal Nailbiter

http://www.mytoolstore.com/ideal/ide14-04.html
Click to expand...

A few months ago, my Ideal rep told me that the company that used to make the Lenox bits now makes them for Ideal. And that the quality of the Lenox bits has gone downhill. I don't remember why this happened, but you seem to substantiate the story BigVic. I used to use either Lenox or Greenlee so now I use either Ideal or Greenlee. But I also buy some cheapies by Morris. About $17 for a 7/8 x 18". They hold up well and sharpen up nice. They are not as hard as the others so they ding up a bit easier, but also sharpen up a bit easier.
 
I've used both Ideal and Greenlee - and I find that the Ideal holds up much better when dealing with nails. I took the Greenlee bit back, when there was a Greenlee day at a local supplier - and she chalked it up to an anomoly. I'm not buying it, as I've seen it happen on other bits. She did kindly replace it, and I kidded her that I'd probably be back to trade it in for an Ideal.
 
That was my thought as well ....LOL.
Like the green kid, first day on the job...how many holes until he's done?
:D
 
If anyone wants a great bit, thry one of these:http://www.vermontamerican.com/Products/productdetail.htm?G=191083&GRP=191083&I=71473

I've been using them for almost 15 years and they are phenomenal. Last forever, drill insanely quick and no more tearout than a regualar spade bit. And very inexpensive. I keep a bunch of sizes, but use the 3/4 mostly. Only about $8.

Since I don't know how, maybe someone can post the pic here? Celtic??

They are hard to find, but you can order them at ACE online.
 
I can't remember the brand but I bought a few auger style bits from Big Orange. Every one of them broke on the first hole. I'll have to find out which brand they were because they're really crap.
 
infinity said:
I can't remember the brand but I bought a few auger style bits from Big Orange. Every one of them broke on the first hole.
Click to expand...

Hope you saved the reciept.... I just did the same thing with a 1/4" tile bit ~ baked on the first hole. Next time I was in Big Box, they got their POS bit back and I got some wood. :D
 
infinity said:
I can't remember the brand but I bought a few auger style bits from Big Orange. Every one of them broke on the first hole. I'll have to find out which brand they were because they're really crap.
Click to expand...


Last time I got one there it was a Greenlee?

Although they do have some cheap Ship Auger bits in the tool corral.

Tom
 
I can't remember the model numbers, but I bought (2) Greenlee wood bits (1/2" and 3/4") at the Big Orange a couple of months ago.
The price seemed really cheap for Greenlee (around 8$ each) so I jumped on them.
This design really screws thru the wood...literally.
They will not clear the chips and it takes constant pulling to keep the hole cleaned out.
The problem is more evident on thicker pieces of wood (like double studs), and they work (just) OK on single thickness.
I can't use my battery powered drill (Dewalt 12V) because it drags it down when the bit gets deep.
That is unless I constantly back it out and drag the chips out.
I'm gonna post the model numbers next time I get to the truck.
I was really disappointed in these bits.
Just a opinion
steve
 
j_erickson said:
Thanks Larry. :smile:

Does anyone else use these? If not, you don't know what you're missing.
Click to expand...


I used them a couple of times but the screw tip stays in the wood if you try to back it out. I wasn't happy with that one. I've been using the Greenlee Self feeding spade bits lately and they seem to hold up well.

Tom
 
Although the Irwin and Vermont look like great bits, for me it's all about the chip extractor. I like the greenlee best. I like the replaceable screw tip in the Milwaukee but no chip extractor. I do a few log houses with big timbers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top