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Guys I want to buy some spade bits this week. Are the spade bits from pimo and tim west pretty equal in quality. Is the only difference just the shape? What is easier for a beginner with a drill press? Would the pimo need a pilot hole while the TW would not...etc. I can't make up mind. What you boys think?

I can't speak for the Tim West bits, but the Pimos definitely should have a pilot. The West ones probably should too. The only difference is in your preference of chamber shape. I use a Forstner of the same diameter to drill in half way or more, and then use the spade bit to finish it.

I am very much a beginner so I can't say with too much authority, but I have the spade bits from Tim and a drill press and they have worked really well with no pilot hole necessary.

I've used both, neither need a pilot hole, just a good pilot...

I have used Tim`s for a long time. I never used a pilot hole and they cut just fine. Never tried Pimo.

flix wrote:I've used both, neither need a pilot hole, just a good pilot...

ha, good one

My PIMO bits work just fine with no pilot hole. In fact, I found that a pilot hole led to unnecessary clattering around which was less than helpful.

Okay, I stand corrected. I guess you don't need a pilot. I'm drilling with a lathe and I make sure that my Pimo bit is inside the Forstner pilot before I start drilling, which negates the chatter; I guess I just find the Forstner more accurate, steady and less apt to burn the chamber. I really just use the chamber bit for finishing the bottom of the bowl and hooking up to the draught hole.

Both are great vendors. I typically work with Tim West though. Great guy.

I am fairly new to this too - only four pipes and ruined two blocks so far. I chose a different route and used my bench grinder on wood bits and made my own bits. I did several test runs in plain wood and am please with the results. I made one standard and one conical with 3/4" bits that cost about $4.50. I used a 5/8" bit for small sized pipes. Just thowing that out for your consideration.

tradhunter wrote:Guys I want to buy some spade bits this week. Are the spade bits from pimo and tim west pretty equal in quality. Is the only difference just the shape? What is easier for a beginner with a drill press? Would the pimo need a pilot hole while the TW would not...etc. I can't make up mind. What you boys think?

It's not hard at all to grind a spade bit into a pipe chamber bit. I've done all my own bits so far and no problems at all. Nothing to compare to, but they leave a smooth finish and don't burn, so what else could a guy want?

Pretty easy to make one. If you have a normal spade bit, power drill, block of wood and a belt grinder, you can free hand one easily.

1. you will be using power tools, so be careful and smart.

2. Drill a hole through a block near an end. My block is about 7" long and 1" square. The drill hole needs to be the size of the shaft on the spade bit.

3. Feed the bit through the hole and attach the drill to the bit's shaft.

4. With the block of wood held against the belt grinders tool guide, you can now spin the drill bit in place, and by adjusting the position of the wood, bring the spinning bit gently into contact with the abrasive belt on the belt grinder. As long as you gradually bring the spinning spade bit into contact with the moving belt, you can quickly but gently shape the bit and be quite sure of it being concentric. After you have a nice shape, you also have a reasonable bit for reaming out a hole.

5. To make the reasonable bit into a superb bit, you will need to alter the somewhat rounded edge, to one that has a bit more bite. This can be done with a file, I go ahead and do it freehand on the belt grinder.

Bob