FISCH Wave Cutters & How They Work
- By Rod Bonham
- Jul 1, 2020
Not all cutting tools are created equal. Here at Affinity Tool Works, we have the pleasure of distributing the FISCH brand in North America. Hands down, these are some of the finest cutting tools produced in the world.
One of the most innovative features in FISCH bits’ design is the wave pattern found in their forstner bits. Still made the old-fashioned way, each Wave Cutter starts its life as a cast billet. Various automated processes clean, deburr, grind, polish, and sharpen until the bit is ready for shipment.
Once the bit is in the workshop, the real magic starts. A center point steadies the entry of the bit into the material to be machined and ensures that the concentricity of the bit performs at its best. At the heart of the cut is the wavy rim pattern that scribes the overall diameter of the hole that is being cut. It is this edge that produces crisp clean rims of every hole produced. In veneered materials this is particularly important, as the edge cuts the outer diameter of the hole before the rest of the bit engages the material.
As the bit plunges into the material, the wave edge begins to eject noticeable wood shavings — not dust — from the hole. This is a sure sign that the bit is actually cutting and simply not forcing its way through the wood. Chip ejection coupled with the wavy rim design lessens the heat buildup and does not create holes that have burn marks.
In the end, all that’s left is a clean crisp top edge with a flat bottom hole void of damage. It feels so smooth you’d swear someone sanded the walls of the hole. Of course, that’s not the case — you just had the right tool for the job — a tool that was designed correctly and manufactured with care and attention to detail.
Wave Cutters and other FISCH bits cost more than most other bits, but in this regard, you’re adding tools to your kit that will last. That is not just a good investment in your tools, but also in your craft.
FISCH bits are available nationally at Woodcraft and Rockler stores, as well as other retail and online merchants.