Aldi and Lidl are really great for Parma ham, mozzerella and cheap Ritter bars but I think that any tools, possibly other than clamps, should definitely be viewed as a short term solution. Nothing wrong with that but don’t expect the accuracy or the longevity you might enjoy from even the budget end of Axminster’s range. I know these guys quite well, they have been selling Bagpress products for over 10 years, and they really won’t sell anything that isn’t of good quality or that doesn’t represent good value for money. 

B&Q in particular make it easy to follow the “don’t buy” guidance as they’re generally out of stock of anything you might have wanted to buy.

But what they do offer is their own inadequate replacement, however, if you need two they will only have one. 
While you’re there you could also buy a very small pack of screws for just the price of a hand carved oak swan.

I can only agree that drill bits and router bits from the likes of B&Q are probably not a good buy - also from eBay.

I started with some of those and soon replaced them - the decent ones are significantly more expensive but they work so much better.....

I have a set of brad points from ENT Tools and they are awesome, worth every penny! I had decent bits before but once I got these they were a game changer. I’m sure that they’re every bit as good as Fisch.

For router bits I have Amana and Whiteside and both are great. I think with regards to router bits you really shouldn’t take the risk with cheap ones.  I love using the router but I love my fingers and face more. I recommend spending the money to get the good ones as they’re much safer to use, last a lot longer and give superior results.

They look good @mattbeels but does anyone know what drill bits to go for in the UK? 

🙂🎸🙏🎶

@Russ, I think Matt was offering to get them for us, from Germanyland, and send them over.

He gets my vote for most community spirited forum member of the day.

 👍  

I might have a wee holiday in Germanyland @tv101 and buy some of their stuff. They've still got a great manufacturing industry. 🧰🪛🪚🛠️ 

🙏🎸🎶🙂

@russ

Try this place https://www.mscdirect.co.uk/cgi/insrhm

My job was buying tools for a professional workshop and I went for quality firms that supply industry. 

@russ

This is another one. Their products are good I got an engineers flat surface with a test certificate accurate to 0.001mm, so they’re not a DIY firm.

https://www.chronos.ltd.uk

Cheers @rocknroller912. I'll check them both out. 👍😁 

🙂🎶🎸🙏

but does anyone know what drill bits to go for in the UK? 

Hi Russ,

For my money the DeWalt Extreme bits are very good value but can be a little bit ‘grabby’ in the larger diameters (10mm+) especially in soft materials (eg MDF) so take care if using them in a hand held drill rather than a drill press as they can suddenly screw themselves in rather than cut properly.

Festool brad points drill bits are truly awesome but look expensive until you’ve used one (true of most things Festool!) and I have never drilled a more beautiful 20mm hole than than the one I did yesterday using a Festool Centrotec Forster bit. Probably the sharpest, cleanest drilling bit I have ever used, EVER! (I would just like to point out at this point that I am not an elected public representative and neither do I hold any shares in Festool!)

If you need to drill very accurate holes up to a maximum of about 6.35mm then look on eBay for solid carbide PCB drills. These can only be used in drill presses or CNC machines (their tip geometry is not self centring) but their cutting edges are polished to a mirror finish and they are fantastic for inlay dot drilling when you need a really neat fit with no filler.

Have fun

Darren

I have some Famag brad point drills following a recommendation by a bald, tattooed guitar builder and they are very good but weren’t cheap and I bought router bits from Titman.co.uk - very large range and very good bits - also had truss rod router bits from Mark and Carol.

@darrenking @frocesterbill 

Thanks Darren & Bill. I think I will look to pay for some good quality bits. It probably works out cheaper in the long run if I'm not damaging the wood. 

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I used cheap router bits on my Bandsman build and ended up with a less than tight neck pocket - only needed a very thin veneer - down to a crappy bearing on a cheap cutter from eBay....

 Has anyone ever used one of these to drill a straight hole? Are they accurate? 

🙂🎶🎸🙏

.........or these...... 

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@russ

I wonder if you would have to use a special type of drill with these guides. A normal one with sharp flutes would wear away the sides. They could be for sizing drills rather than drilling holes.

.........or these...... 

@russ Yes, I have and use one of those drilling guides. They are pretty good initially but I use another device as a secondary guide too. 

They are pretty good initially but I use another device as a secondary guide too. 

What would that secondary guide be @boo? 🤔 

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They could be for sizing drills rather than drilling holes.

You could be right @rocknroller912

🙏🎸🎶🙂