9mm Forstner bit in UK?

[Norman Billingham]

Anyone know where I can buy a 9mm (not 3/8") Forstner or sawtooth bit in the UK?

[PCPaul]

Alright, I'll bite... why? Why does 0.525mm make such a difference (3/8")? Why not use a 9mm centrepoint drill?

I expect you have got good reasons, I'm just curious as to what they might be...

As an aside, for the hole you need to drill could you plunge a router instead of using a Forstner? I know I've done that when I needed an odd sized hole.

[wheelzuk]

I'm a little surprised in the fact +0.52mm isn't accurate enough for = you.=20

However, I wondered if you'd considered a 9mm spade bit for your task? = They're more readily available, all indicators on Screwfix and Axminster = led to a 3/8ths size bit, for the forstner bit. Rutlands who I consider = at the top end of the British market also only do either a 3/8ths or 8 = and 10mm forstner bit.

I feel you may have to compromise, or, have your own bit milled to exact = specifications?

Regards John wheelzuk

[Norman Billingham]

I'm a little surprised in the fact +0.52mm isn't accurate enough for you.

However, I wondered if you'd considered a 9mm spade bit for your task? They're more readily available, all indicators on Screwfix and Axminster led to a 3/8ths size bit, for the forstner bit. Rutlands who I consider at the top end of the British market also only do either a 3/8ths or 8 and 10mm forstner bit.

I feel you may have to compromise, or, have your own bit milled to exact specifications?

Just curiosity mixed with perfectionism. I have some 9mm rare earth magnets I'm using to make door catches. They fit perfectly snugly into a 9mm hole and are loose in a 3/8" one. A 9mm brad point drill does the job nicely but is too long to give clearance under the drill press for the edge-on wood.

There are (were) many ways out of the problem, and I did the job with a 9mm brad point drill on a horizonal borer.

I could have shaved a bit off a 3/8" Forstner and there are other ways of doing the job but I was surprised to find its so easy to get 3/8" and so hard to find 9 mm in these metric days - hence the query.

Spade bits are for DIY and rough work not fine cabinet making - unless you are prepared to do a fair bit of work on them.

[J. Clarke]

Uh, why not just cut off a brad-point bit to the length you need? 30 seconds with a Dremel and you're done.

FWIW, googling "metric forstner bit" showed many sources for 10mm and larger, and one set with 6mm, but no 9mm--the set jumps from 6 to 10.

[Norman Billingham]

Mainly becasue if I'd done that with the only 9mm brad point I had to hand I would have ended up trying to grip the flutes in the chuck!

Yes - that's what I found. Just wondered if anyone knew better.

Anyway, problem solved now

Thanks to all for comments