Self Feed Bits

[Birddoggiest]

I am new to this forum, it is great. I am a newer contractor that went out on my own last year. I am now "scabbin for a livin" full time. I need to get some new self feed bits and wonder if anyone has a preferance. I wore out my old Milwaulkee bits to where they can't be sharpened anymore. I have tried the Dewalt and it is fast and sharp but not for long. I heard the new Milwaulkee's are China made and not any good anymore. Any good ones left, or just go cheap?

[gear junkie]

I like lenox one tooth bits. Goes through studs very quickly.

[haycad]

milwalkies are good there not gonna last long though ecspecially if your pulling nails with them

[proplumb]

lennox by far the best i have ever used. th eprice is steep up front but will last allot longer than millwaulkee , which used to be my top pick

[TOPDAWG]

I like the lenox bits. I will use the self feeding bits up to 2 9/16" and the One Tooth Hole saws for the larger holes 2 3/4" on up.

[Birddoggiest]

I wondered how those one tooth bits worked. I will have to try one out. I'll give the Lennox a try, I am not a fan of their hole saws, they wear out 2x quicker than Milwaulkee drilling metal.

[gear junkie]

I wondered how those one tooth bits worked. I will have to try one out. I'll give the Lennox a try, I am not a fan of their hole saws, they wear out 2x quicker than Milwaulkee drilling metal.
That's because you're using the wrong kind. I love lenox's carbide sheetmetal bits. I use these for SS and they work great for metal studs.

[NHMaster3015]

I've got probably 4 5 gallon buckets of self feed bits sitting in the shop rusting away since I discovered the Lennox 1 tooth hole saws. I swear they cut my rough in time by 1/2

[Birddoggiest]

No kidding? You use them even for 2 9/16"? And does the plug get stuck in it and you have to fight to get it out??

[plumberscrack]

The plug never gets stuck in a Lenox One Tooth. Falls right out.

[Woussko]

http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/LENOX_LEADER_Self-feed_Bits.html
(Not your average self-feed bits)

http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/BI-METAL_UTILITY_BIT.html
(Some good auger bits and especially for electricians)

(One tooth hole saws) http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/ONE_TOOTH_ROUGH_WOOD_HOLE_CUTTER.html

I think you'll be happy when you give them a test try.

And for serious cutting with a reciprocating saw (Sawzall) please give these a try.
http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/LENOX_Gold.html

Sawing by hand with a hacksaw? Please try some of these out soon.
http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/BI-METAL_HACKSAW_BLADES.html


Note: I do not work for or sell LENOX. I just use them and have found most of their products to really work when the going gets tuff.


Special note to GearJunkie: Thanks so much for posting about these great tubing cutters. What a nice difference. :D
http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/TUBING_CUTTERS.html

[gear junkie]

Special note to GearJunkie: Thanks so much for posting about these great tubing cutters. What a nice difference. :D
http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/TUBING_CUTTERS.html
Been telling people that lenox tools are coming up. Are you coming to the roundup?

[MPMGinAL]

I bet mr. gc would rather clean up plugs than sweep for hours to get up shavings left behind by self-feeders. And i bet they are alot less likely to sling that pine tree into your eyeball when drilling overhead.

[DuckButter]

I bet mr. gc would rather clean up plugs than sweep for hours to get up shavings left behind by self-feeders. And i bet they are alot less likely to sling that pine tree into your eyeball when drilling overhead.

Same here, drastically reduces cleanup time.
I'd just like to know how well these one tooth saws handle nails, past experience wasn't good.

[NHMaster3015]

The new lennox saws will hog right through them.

[PLUMBER RICK]

i've had had the 1 tooth bits for a good 6-7 years. a lot longer than lennox has had them.

i can drill a 4.5'' hole with 1 hand on the drill just to show the lack of torque these bits require.

never hit a nail:D yet:eek:

the cutter is not carbide, but a piece of high speed steel brazed to the core. it can be replaced if needed, but the cost of the bit is still pretty reasonable.

the only drawback is the cutting depth. you can clear the plug on multiple stacked 2x's, but on a 4x you're stuck.

rick.

[DuckButter]

The new lennox saws will hog right through them.

I was told this at a supply convention...by the salesman, I'm inclined to listen to my peers first.
Poor guy couldn't convince me...lol.
I might just start stocking them...one major reason I use hole saws (lennox) is they eat nails for breakfast...no having to stop, pull nails & resharpen the dull bit.

Rick, how deep is the cutting depth?
If it's at least 2", I'm good...I usually wind up pulling and removing the block after each 1-1/2" plate, stud or sill when drilling multiples.
On a 4X, I still prefer to use my catsclaw & hammer with holesaw over dealing with a self feed...as infrequently as I come across anything that big.

[NHMaster3015]

The really nice thing is they use a 3/8" spade bit for the pilot, so the wood chunk falls right out usually. Buy extra pilot bits though

[plumberscrack]

Same here, drastically reduces cleanup time.
I'd just like to know how well these one tooth saws handle nails, past experience wasn't good.

The Lenox rep told me it will cut through 50 #16 penny nails before resharpening is needed. I get closer to 15 or 20 before it slows down. 2 mins with a diamond file and like new again.

I do hit alot of case hardened flooring nails and 150 year old lumber so I work my bits hard.

I did have one break the tooth off on it's first hole. Ferguson exchanged it and no problem since.

These things cut so easily I rarely bring in my Hole Hawg in anymore. The 1/2" battery drill works just as good.

Cuts at least a 2" deep hole

[DuckButter]

Well, then I'm sold.
The simple fact that you can resharpen them is an obvious advantage..and one tooth can't be all that time consuming.
I'll buy them as my current saws deplete, right now I need a new 2" so that'll be first.

[Birddoggiest]

I am sold also! I am tired of self feed bit shavings in my hair, shirt, bibs, and my wife is tired of them in the laundry.