Has anyone had any experience with Fisch bits, specifically their auger bits?  I have been looking for a source for auger bits.  What I see on ebay and Amazon is disappointing.  Rusty, still have wood chips in the cutters and flutes, broken spurs, etc.  The only place I have found with a decent selection is Highland Woodworking.  Their product line features Fisch Jennings pattern bits, and a three piece set of 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inches is $119.99.  A little pricey, but if they are good quality I don't mind that too much.   

I am thinking @steven newman might be able to give us some guidance here. 

What about Irwin bits? However all I see are hex shank and i am guessing you do not want those.

5 minutes ago, Gerald said:

What about Irwin bits? However all I see are hex shank and i am guessing you do not want those.

I'm trying to stick with the traditional square taper shanks.  Irwin has a thirteen piece set advertised on their web site, but when I emailed them, they replied that they are no longer available.  I could use hex shank, but since the square taper shanks are available at Highland Woodworking, that's why I was asking about them.

Have you thought of buying at flea market and rehabing the bits? I see loads of them cheap at the flea markets we go by.

13 hours ago, PostalTom said:

Their product line features Fisch Jennings pattern bits, and a three piece set of 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inches is $119.99.

Tom, the Jennings bits are highly sought after, and have been for eons, they are small spiraled and allow for easy ejection of shavings unlike the typical auger bits, I own a set of original Russel Jennings and I like them a lot.

That being said there are some great deals on Ebay by just doing a quick search for the Jennings bits.

Here is one set missing two that looks very nice and well cared for.

RUSSELL JENNINGS SET OF # 32 1/2 QUAR. WOOD AUGER 3 LAYER BOX- Missing 2 Bits

WWW.EBAY.COM

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RUSSELL JENNINGS SET OF # 32 1/2 QUAR. WOOD AUGER 3 LAYER BOX- Missing 2 Bits. Condition is Used. Shipped with...

 

 

4 hours ago, John Morris said:

Tom, the Jennings bits are highly sought after, and have been for eons, they are small spiraled and allow for easy ejection of shavings unlike the typical auger bits, I own a set of original Russel Jennings and I like them a lot.

That being said there are some great deals on Ebay by just doing a quick search for the Jennings bits.

Here is one set missing two that looks very nice and well cared for.

RUSSELL JENNINGS SET OF # 32 1/2 QUAR. WOOD AUGER 3 LAYER BOX- Missing 2 Bits

WWW.EBAY.COM

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RUSSELL JENNINGS SET OF # 32 1/2 QUAR. WOOD AUGER 3 LAYER BOX- Missing 2 Bits. Condition is Used. Shipped with...

 

 

It is sold now . Hope the right person got it

Yes I did.  As soon as I saw @John Morris's post, I jumped on it like stink on ..., well, like white on rice.  I'm supposed to have it by Saturday.  Thanks John.

1 hour ago, PostalTom said:

Yes I did.  As soon as I saw @John Morris's post, I jumped on it like stink on ..., well, like white on rice.  I'm supposed to have it by Saturday.  Thanks John.

Tom, you scored!

When you get the box, tell me what the two sizes are that are missing, I may have some extras to fill the holes.

Afraid all of mine are sitting in one LARGE metal box....from a few #3s up to a #22....both Irwins and Jennings scattered through the box....Find them by the coffee can full, around here...

4 minutes ago, steven newman said:

Afraid all of mine are sitting in one LARGE metal box....from a few #3s up to a #22....both Irwins and Jennings scattered through the box....Find them by the coffee can full, around here...

Why am I not surprised?

That is a nice looking set you got. More pics once they arrive, please.

5 hours ago, John Morris said:

When you get the box, tell me what the two sizes are that are missing, I may have some extras to fill the holes.

Will do sir.  I really appreciate your help.

The other thing i would recommend to folks (if they are lucky) is to check their local Restore and let them know you're looking for some.   I found two different sets at ours a couple of years ago, but most don't want them and we had a big tray of miscellaneous ones that i hope got moved when the store moved (I wasn't there for all of it).  Many of them were in NICE condition. 

Bit box, outside...

I did add a wood floor to the box...

It's down in there...somewhere...a #3 sitting beside a #20

 

may need to thin this herd, someday...

I got the auger bits today.  Took several pictures.  I'll try to keep the pictures and the captions matched up, but no promises.

 

This is the label on the inside of the lid.  Just a product description

 

This is the box they came in.  I initially thought about refinishing the box, but I decided it had earned its' patina, and will leave it as is.

 

 

The first tray.

 

 

The second tray.

 

The third tray.

 

 

An example of the condition of the cutters.  They all looked to be in good shape, well taken care of.  Or maybe lightly used.

 

 

 

On 6/15/2020 at 2:05 PM, John Morris said:

When you get the box, tell me what the two sizes are that are missing, I may have some extras to fill the holes.

Looks like the two missing ones are 5/8" and 11/16".  The rest are labeled from 1/4" up to 1", by sixteenths, and those seem to be the ones missing.

5 hours ago, PostalTom said:

Looks like the two missing ones are 5/8" and 11/16".  The rest are labeled from 1/4" up to 1", by sixteenths, and those seem to be the ones missing.

Excellent Tom and nice set! I'll head out to my work space tomorrow and see if I can dig up those sizes, congrats on the great haul!

That really is a nice set, congratulations!

Edited June 19, 20205 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Looks like you got a pretty good deal there Tom, and a cool box in which to keep them in to boot

@PostalTom.  Hey ol Tom! Sorry for not getting to the shop and looking those sizes up, I know you are ok, but I just wanted to drop a line, the last couple days we been caring for our doggy, looks like she may be on her last leg. Anemic, low red count, and we can't put 2500.00 out there for a blood transfusion, even if we could, we wouldn't, we love her to death, but the gut check says, she is a dog, we are making her very comfortable, and when the time comes we'll have to put her down.

Went fishing this morning with my son to get out of the house, we had a good time, eating some lunch now and I am going to meander into the ol shop, tool around, and look at those bits for ya Tom, I should have those sizes, hope you are enjoying those Ebay ones greatly, you really scored I feel! Nice box too! I have been wanting to purchase just the box for my augers.

Talk to ya soon!