7 minutes ago, Gunny said:

Any suggestions for Forstner Bits? My generic set has finally worn out, pretty sure these were HF specials from 20 years ago.

I need sizes 1/4 inch through 1 inch. These are most used, I have some Yonico bits I have replaced bigger sizes with and they are pretty good, couple are carbide tipped.

Gunny, if you're looking for the less costly ones, I have this set from Irwin and it's done surprisingly well. I grabbed one some years back when Lowes had them marked $10 for clearance.

21 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Gunny, if you're looking for the less costly ones, I have this set from Irwin and it's done surprisingly well. I grabbed one some years back when Lowes had them marked $10 for clearance.

Thanks! I had seen those, and at $34 for general use set I think that might be best.

56 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Gunny, if you're looking for the less costly ones, I have this set from Irwin and it's done surprisingly well. I grabbed one some years back when Lowes had them marked $10 for clearance.

I have that set too. No problems, but I doubt I paid $10 for it.

Amazon is the same price as Lowes, but you'll get your vets discount at the blue box.

If you want good Forstner bits, I can recommend Lee Valley's.

Why don't you just sharpen them? It's fairly easy to do.

3 hours ago, Gunny said:

Any suggestions for Forstner Bits? My generic set has finally worn out, pretty sure these were HF specials from 20 years ago.

I need sizes 1/4 inch through 1 inch. These are most used, I have some Yonico bits I have replaced bigger sizes with and they are pretty good, couple are carbide tipped.

I used the Erwin maples set for several years. Reasonably priced. Still in my tool collection. i believe the set includes from 1/4" to 1 1/4" sizes.

Edited January 31Jan 31 by Al B

1 hour ago, MrRick said:

Why don't you just sharpen them? It's fairly easy to do.

Nothing left to sharpen. Fairly certain I got these 20 plus years ago at Harbor Freight. Would have been before my divorce, so I was broke. 😁

Progress! Still need to add edge trim and attach the top but seems to work good.

Edited February 1Feb 1 by BB1

Been at a Mens Church conference last night and this morning a couple hours north of here.

Started looking at efficiency in shop and began moving a few things. First was to move drills from front door to one side of then DC Closet. As mostly used in midshop this saves steps.

So then a look around and discovered cabinet with screws stored is also at front door , so that got a move to the other side of the DC Closet . Now just thought I have screws in a drawer also. This move was a bit more complicated as had to move the DC switch. Started cutting hole to move the switch box but found the wire too short so backed up a little and mounted a box on another wall of the closet. This time just drill and mount. Then on to patching those two holes. Wow what a week.

18 hours ago, MrRick said:

If you want good Forstner bits, I can recommend Lee Valley's.

Second for Lee Valley's. I like their brad points too.

I tried to take Friday off after all the time at work last weekend, and sure enough I spent half the day watching emails on a problem that I'm not sure was really a problem. Looks like it wasn't a burned out calibration lamp, but a rounding error that zeroed the counts in software. Never let a scientist do an engineer's job! They don't realize that we are completely serious when we jokingly ask "what could possibly go wrong?" Answer, "your crappy python script could be not doing what you assume it's doing, making work for us"..... grump, grump!

Went down to the ex's house to install outlets for her range/oven. We used to do a lot of remodeling, and I still help her out with the technical stuff.

Hoping to get some more grips moved forward today, then going to the neighbor's place for dinner. Nice thing about going to town yesterday is I picked up some stout. I love a nice black beer!

On 1/31/2026 at 2:06 PM, Larry Buskirk said:

BTDT Dave went for 2-3 weeks without a few years back when things froze. Now have one of those ceramic heaters in the well pump room, and a spare pump sitting ready to swap out.

Was a real PITA hauling water from next door, following year had to reverse the procedure when Bruce's well went out. Man that boiler sure likes water.

That's the next step. When they told me they actually had two in stock, I should have bought them both at that time but my mind was focused on the immediate need and what I had yet to do. Mrs. said why didn't you buy them both?

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

That's the next step. When they told me they actually had two in stock, I should have bought them both at that time but my mind was focused on the immediate need and what I had yet to do. Mrs. said why didn't you buy them both?

My reasoning for having the spare is, as long as it's there I'll probably never need it.

3 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

as long as it's there I'll probably never need it

Best insurance there is!

1 minute ago, lew said:

Best insurance there is!

Yep, just like the furnace blower pressure switch that started acting up, ordered a replacement and the original now refuses to act up.

2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

My reasoning for having the spare is, as long as it's there I'll probably never need it.

Exactly what I'm thinking and hoping. Getting too old to carry a cast iron pump coupled to a 1hp sealed motor down the steps then do the swap especially when it's below zero.