Drill for Confirmat Screws?

Is this the thing?

No! I was utterly confused by what I could see in various sites (e.g. DIY Warehouse) and went in for a chat at Isaac Lord. Explanation is that the bits such as you posted are indeed meant for Confirmat screws. But they are really just slightly special twist drills - specifically meant for use in specialised drilling jigs. They come on 4, 5 and 7mm. Idea is you use the 5mm for the screw-into part and the 7mm for the screw-through part (or similar for the different size Confirmat screws). Much as I would like a jig system, my needs can't justify one! (They ain't cheap. :-) )

The stepped version is here:

(The pictures seem to be wrong on several of these listings.)

========================================= I'm not sure what kind of drilling jig you're looking at but these are two versions of the same thing although the prices are significantly different:

Cic.

I was thinking of this Zentrix thing - couldn't find a UK link:

Think there are some other products in this range - but not at all sure.

What you have posted would indeed help with accuracy. But I haven't got a mains drill! (I know they are pretty cheap these days. Might get a drill and guide.)

========================================= That guide looks far too expensive for the limited kind of use it's likely to get. I've got both the guides I referenced (the Wolf one bought much cheaper than the current price) and both work well. I don't use a special bit - just a pilot followed by a clearance bit for the dowel section of the confirmat.

Have a look in Wickes for your corded drill. They have special bundled offers from time to time on some of their power tools and they're pretty good quality.

Cic.

Think I might have found a possible answer:

Bit more than I had hoped, but better than sixty quid. Anyone got experience of these?

The guide is ludicrously expensive for me! But I think the Hafele drill bits are intended for that which was why I mentioned it.

I have been managing the holes by eye without much problem. It is the continual bit changing that really gets me. Plus the difficulty of getting the depths of the 7mm and 10mm parts of the holes just right.

Yes - just saw a £9.99 drill on Wickes. 750W.

Anything here any good for you...

One that looks the right idea is 14280 Multipurpose Wood Drill Bits Gauge 6. That is too small and they do not give full dimensions so, even if it had been about the right size, impossible to check.

(With these Clear Out items I have found them usually unavailable at the local trade counter. So going there and asking to see one is unlikely to be possible.)

The 48690 Disston Screwdigger No.10 (or 86928 No.8) also lacks sufficient detail. Maybe I will go and ask (measuring device in hand). Ah - just noticed - 1/8" and 7/64" respectively. Too small. But even if I had to re-drill the pilot it might be better than the present arrangement?

It is the availability of things like this at acceptably low prices that made me ask. Thank you.

At that price, you could buy three and put one bit in each? You can also get quick change bit-holders, but the total cost might be about the same!

It's probably worthwhile making some sort of depth stop for the 7mm and 10mm parts. On occasion I've used the innards of "chocolate block" wiring connectors (the sort that have two screws into a metal tube, careful how tight you screw them; you can break a bit that way. some sleeving on the bit can help) -- OK if you don't need high RPM drilling, but not well balanced if you do! Another alternative is a bit of aluminium tube cut to the right length (ie leaving the depth you want to drill protruding from the tube when it's up against the chuck) and held onto the bit with blu-tack or somethin (it doesn't need to be held all that firmly, it's just to stop it dropping off when not in use). Both of these spoil the effectiveness of the drill flutes by getting clogged up, though, so you might find that the time you spend cleaning out the flutes fills up the time you would otherwise save...

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I have just been to Isaac Lord and bought one of these (referenced earlier in the thread):

The picture of this product on Trend's own site shows a Confirmat screw...

(When I asked Isaac Lord the other day, it was the trade counter, thinking they would more likely know the issues. Today I went to the retail shop and browsed - knowing the product did help!)

Fingers well and truly crossed.

Very tempting! (See my post about buying a bit.)

Like the ideas, thank you.