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Jameel “Jamal-Alabama” Abraham of Benchcrafted introduced me to these bits, and I still need to repay the favor with beer and/or bratwurst. These bits are the cat’s meow, knees and pyjamas.
Made in Japan, the WoodOwls cut through tough, wet, thick wood like it almost isn’t there. When you drill a lot of holes through 6”-thick wet French oak, these bits are a lifesaver. But even if you don’t build benches as part of your living, the WoodOwls are a great piece of kit.
I use them in chairmaking, especially when boring the holes in the seat for the legs. Even with a hand brace, the WoodOwls perform spectacularly, reducing the effort to make a deep hole.
The Ultra-Smooth Tri-spur Augers are ideal for general work. If you work in reclaimed wood, the Nailchipper version is a good choice (I have several Nailchippers x for construction jobs). Even though the Nailchipper bit is supposed to be for coarse work, it leave a surprisingly clean hole.
The only downside to the bits is they are metric, but they are sized closely to SAE. I honestly haven’t run into a problem where I needed a bigger- or smaller-diameter hole.
Now before you buy a whole set, I’d recommend you give one a try. Buy a 3/4” ($16.95) or 1” ($19.95) bit for some new holdfast holes in your workbench. After you use them, you’ll think they are ridiculously inexpensive for what you get.
— Christopher Schwarz
P.S. Megan Fitzpatrick has started a competing gift guide on the editor’s blog. Check it out here.
Read Day 1 of the gift guide here: Clauss Scissors.
Day two on a Boot Tray for Sharpening.
Day three on humidity monitors.
Day four on a MWTCA membership is here.
Day five on the Arno burnisher.
If you’d like to read gift guides from past years, check this link.
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I just watched your DVD about No Fear Chair Making and thought it was very well done.
In the DVD you used a brace and a Wood Owl bit.
Was that a vintage brace, and can you use bits like these in vintage braces?
Thank you,
Rob
Mr Schwarz,
I have a question about one of your videos. Nails
Your bookcase build you say that a 5/64 bit should be used for a forged nail.
The nail in question is 4d, thickness of wood.
I looked on Lee Valley on there nail page.
A 35mm nail ( 4d) it says to use a 3/32 drill
It is not much difference or is it
Also in there chart 5/64 drill should be for a 23mm (2d) nail
there is probable a simple explanation for this, what drill should I use for what nail ?
Is there a chart ?
thanks Ralph
The ultra-smooth bits are gold. I have enough Wood Owls now that I need a canvass roll to keep them in. Definitely sold on these. Don’t forget a feather file to sharpen them up now and then.
Have you tried the Irwin speedbore tri-lobed bits to compare? I picked one up when I ran across it at the home center shortly after you first raved about the woodowls and was very happy with how it works, but wasn’t sure if I was still missing out on something without the woodowls, as there do appear to be some differences (length, spurs, coatings)