Metric Countersink and Bung Set?

[Songololo]

Fuller make a nice looking Imperial countersink and bung set which many forumites seem to use:

http://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/835016b.jpg

I am looking for something similar but in Metric, as I need to work with 10mm and 12mm countersink holes and matching bungs.

Has anyone had experience with the following Metric countersink and plug cutters? They seem to be available in 8, 10 and 12mm. I would use them in conjunction with twist drill bits (for piloting the holes).

http://www.fine-tools.com/b312630a.jpg

More details here http://www.fine-tools.com/G312630.htm

[bloggs68]

Lee valley have metric plug cutters here http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3&p=32320&cat=1,180,42288

But why are you after metric?

Doesn't matter if you use metric or imperial, just buy some matching speedbores/spade bits for the plug cutters and fine tune them with the grinder to get a good fit. Lee valley also sell counterbores.

fwiw

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[Songololo]

Why Metric? My clinker open boat (originally built in Germany in the 80s) already has countersink holes and bungs in metric sizes (8, 10 and 12mm). If possible, I would like to remain with these sizes and not switch to Imperial when doing repairs.

I had considered the Lee Valley tapered lug cutters but they only seem to be available in 6,8 and 10mm. I am also not sure if these tapered plugs (they have a 3 degree taper) would be suitable for boat work?

My current understanding (no personal experience to date) is that the spiral bit countersink and counterbore bits would give a better hole when used in conjunction with a twist drill pilot hole. 'Planking and Fastening' has a few chapters covering the various recommended tools and techniques for this.

[bloggs68]

Fuller also make metric sizes - see http://www.wlfuller.com/html/tapered.html

I've had no problem with tapered plugs in boat work and find that they allow a nice tight fit.

Trouble with the spiral bit counterbore pictured below is that you are limited in the depth of timber that you can get a clearance hole through. You have to make sure that the clearance hole in the piece being fastened is large enough so that the threads of the screw do not engage the piece. I have tried tapered bits with counterbores attached and whilst they can be quicker by a few seconds, I find that the clearance hole is not always adequate for the screw. I normally speedbore/spade bit the plug hole first, then pilot hole and then clearance hole. All done in a few seconds.

The spade bits are easilly sharpened and can be easily fine tuned to geta perfect fit with the plug cutter.

fwiw

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[andrewe]

From where you are, have a look at www.axminster.co.uk (http://www.axminster.co.uk) They have metric 6-8-10-12-14-mm plug cutters among others in metric and imp. screw sizes. The last time I ordered something it arrived, here in france, in 48hrs. Their combined drill&countersink with tapered drill look useful too.
Hope this helps,
Andrew