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I compared the Grizzly forstner to the plug cutter and found that it would not fit inside the plug cutter, clearly meaning that I was always going to get a bigger hole than plug. I know the Grizzly set is fairly inexpensive, so I'm not extremely upset, but it's disappointing at the least. What's up. Unfortunately, the first time I used the set I found that the bits (at least the first 3-4 that I tried) were not true to size. Quality control issues. I tried with at least 3 different sizes of forstners and plug cutters and got the same results with each. I recently ordered the Grizzly H7694 Master Forstner Bit 31 pc.
They cut fine - at least as well or better than some older Grizzly and Porter Cable bits that I've been bumming off of friends. I was making wood dutchmans (or plugs) to repair some antique doors and found that I couldn't get a tight fitting plug after doing some test pieces (plug was loose within the hole I had drilled with the Grizzly forstner bit). Set. Made in China. At first glance the cutters looked a bit rough/chingered up, but fine, it's an inexpensive set. I tried an older Porter Cable set of forstners and the plugs fit well. I can't say I would recommend these to anyone, unless they didn't car exactly how big the holes are.
The Porter Cable forstner fit nicely inside the plug cutter.
I called Grizzley and they sent me a 1 11/16" bit immediately and told me to keep the extra 1 9/16" bit. As other reviewers have noted the wooden case had bits of the cardboard packaging box stuck to the top. I haven't used these drills yet; however they look pretty good. #400 steel wool removed it very easily with little visable damage to the box. The set is a great value. My set had 2 each 1 9/16" bits and was missing the 1 11/16" bit.
Fair price and fast shipping. If you are running a business defiantly go with higher quality. It's not the greatest set in the world but it has various sizes and for a basic home user its fine. If you are into a home shop you might want something better.
And I hate to say that because I have been overjoyed by every bit and blade I have gotten from them. My box did not stick to the cardboard like others have mentioned theirs did. I did not read the country of origin statement, but from the quality of the construction, and machining, I would guess these are Taiwan made and not mainland China. This is item #2 from Grizzly for me, and I was hesitant to try them a second time due to the low quality of the first item (a drill press table). (I may update / add an updated review later on if my impression changes).The box that the bits shipped in appeared well made, however the bumper gizmos that the bits rest on weren't all lined up quite right, and several of the bits on the top right corner don't quite have enough room, where the bits on the bottom right have too much room. If this bit set quality lives up to my initial impressions, then the drill press table is just a fluke. If they get in a rush to run an order out the door, well curing time gets rushed.The bits measured up accurately, or close enough for my purposes.
The 1/2" was only shy by.001" which is no big deal. It would take some work to mess up chucking these up tightly.These bits are typical of Asian produced tools as they are shipped coated in cosmoline, which is easy enough to get off of the bits simply with mineral spirits and a clean rag. I am replacing a 7 piece Porter Cable set, along with a couple of Freud single bits. These appear every bit as good as the Porter Cables, and nicer than the Freuds. But I see so many people that have Grizzly this or that, and are very happy with it. I can't speak definitively about durability as mine arrived yesterday, but I can speak about my impressions so far.
With the type of finish that is on this box, I can see how it could stick if not 100% cured. I used the 1-1/16" bit, and 3/4" bit which measured 1.0625 and.75 respectively. Aside from that, and it doesn't really matter with the lid closed anyway as the foam blocks hold everything tight. The little extra distance they went to protect the bits is well appreciated.The hex drive bit shanks insure solid, slip free engagement with the drill, or drill press chuck. all was well. (Right on the money).
I am happy this set shipped with the plastic protective covers for the heads of the bits. The Grizzly bits center point takes a bit more work getting the bit down into the wood, but not anything that would impact accuracy, and most likely would NOT be noticed using these in a drill press instead of a hand drill.Once the bit is started, material removal was fast, and efficient, with shavings coming out of the back side of the bit in nearly hand plane like thin wispy curls.
This set is a great value for the "occasional craftsman." About once a year I need a Forstner bit. There are better, professional bits on the market, but if your need falls in the "every once in awhile" category, you can't beat the value of the Grizzly set. Until now, I have found some way to work around the lack of them--usually sub-optimally. The Grizzly set meets just about every need at a very reasonable price.
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