Amana Tool - 55229 Carbide Tipped 82° Countersink with Adjustable Depth Stop & No-

Ive only used this for a few holes, but thought I would share my initial opinion. Ive used several countersinks on wood screws and Im primarily concerned with how smooth the outer edge of the hole is and how repeatable the countersink depth is. I have tried the Snappy, the cheap Ryobi, and a few others. The best I have found until now are sold by Lee Valley and made by an Israeli company. With this product I obtained clean holes with no edge breakout on pine plywood. I looked at the package and it says made in Israel. I suppose Amana has a deal with the same company. I did not test counterboring as you would for a plug covering the screw. No scratching of the surface as the collar does not rotate. If you adjust the depth stop, you have a perfect hole that just fits the screw head every time. The only downside to this product is that the collar completely blocks your view of the progress of the countersink. You are drilling blind at this stage unless you can move your head down to see under the workpiece. Just takes some getting used to. The depth is controlled by the collar, so you dont really need to see whats happening. You do need to really slow down the drill as the countersink portion is engaged. In general, countersinks like to cut slow if you want a smooth edge. I try for about 200 RPM for a countersink of this size. If you dont want to spend the money on this, a pretty good hole can be obtained with the Ryobi set AFTER you hone both sides of all the cutting edges. An Ez-lap or similar DMT tool or small sharpening card is good for that. (and they are diamond grit, so they will also sharpen this countersink if you drill enough holes to dull it) This countersink product series includes several drill diameters. This one will clearance drill for the threads on a #8 modern wood or deck screw. Consider the screws you are going to use and whether they have a relieved shank that will extend through the top workpiece. I will probably buy a 1/8 one for that case. Also, I learned that wood screws, at least the GRK brand, are 90 degree heads. Sheet metal screws and machine screws to imperial (U.S.) standards are 82 degrees. Machine screws for very thin parts (aircraft or electronics sheet metal) are sometimes 100 degrees. Amana offers 82 and 90 degree versions. If you are using a drill press, very good results in wood can be obtained with a machinists zero-flute Weldon countersink set. They are HSS and must be sharpened occasionally with a small stone in a moto-tool or die grinder. Those will not counterbore for a plug, only countersink. Machinery suppliers also sell one-flute countersinks that will do pretty good, and solid carbide countersinks. Hand drilling with the common six-flute hardware-store countersinks either leads to burning through the wood since they are not sharp, or more commonly wobbling in the hole and chattering. If youve read this far, you are now a countersink expert... Edit: If your collar is turning after contact, try light machine oil under the retaining ring. Made a difference for me.

The mechanism is high quality. The thrust bearing is a little cheap. As it ships, it (may) scuff your wood. This is easily fixed by placing painters tape before drilling. The tape adds enough friction to engage the thrust bearing. Problem solved. The friction bearing may loosen up in time. Aside from that minor problem, it works flawlessly. I would buy it again.

This tool makes counter sinking screws completely controllable. Have it sit a bit proud? No problem! Flush set! Easy to do! Countersunk slightly, or deeply is not a problem. Pre-set it and go make multiple screws, set the way you want it!

Easy to use, easy to adjust, and works great.

Drills very easily, very sharp. If you are looking for a countersink, this is the one you want. Theres a reason so many YouTubers recommend it. I wish the price was a little better, but its a quality made product - I think itll stay sharp for a while, so this should be the last one youll ever need (unless you want a different size). If you do a lot of cabinet building, this is excellent. As my dad says You cant work without good tools.

This makes beautiful, repeatable countersinks.

These seem to be all the rage, and the concept is fantastic. However, Ive bent two or 3 bits, even in the drill press. Im not sure what the issue is, as the bits seem to be bending near where the set screw retains the bit. Kind of disappointing, especially for the expensive price point

Very clean cutting and collar does not mar surfaces. Used it on pre-finished maple plywood and performed flawlessly.

Not sure how I went all these years without this tool, it is absolutely amazing and for cabinet building to deck/porch building is a first-class addition to my woodworking arsenal of tools.

I dont know why I never bought this sooner. Its amazing! I used to either drill a hole then use a chamfer bit or I tried those drill bits that have an adjustable one on them. Never really cared for either way but THIS thing is Heaven. I find myself reaching for it every time I need to put in a screw. Im going to buy a second one just in case someone accidentally walks off with this one. Lol. Amana has a huge hit with this. Thank you Amana.