Really cool design - Will the 20 mm bit be offered as a replaceable item by Axminster. From the video, this bit appears to be custom sized to fix the jig. I'm assuming after a hundred holes it may need to be replaced. Thanks
All of the components will eventually be available as individual replacement parts. The only ordinary item is the 3 mm drill bit and you can replace that easily enough without any fuss.
I have used my system (lets call it PGS One) to provide photographs for Axminster (about 140 holes cut in ordinary MDF). I have then made my 3 videos - about another 100 holes. I have not made a video of this (but you may see clips of it in my first 3 videos) where I make a 77 hole custom bench top (11x7). On Tuesday I had a visit from an amateur wood worker and we did about 55 holes whilst he was here. On top of all of that I have had some practice goes to check timings for the production of holes. I estimate that I am now over the 400 mark with PGS One.
The 20 mm cutter is a fine piece of precision engineering and not a cheap import. It is so important to the overall success of the PGS that a lot of thought (not mine - but clever chaps at Axminster) has gone into it. I understand that the grinding angles, lapping and so on (or whatever terms should be used - not my area of expertise) are all designed to make the cutter very efficient at removing waste. It certainly does not get hot and just keeps going.
One thing to watch for when you get your PGS. Like many Forstner style cutters, one often gets a disc of material stuck on the end after doing a cut - I have shown this in one of the videos (probably Part 2 of the detailed work). It is there because of the scoring cutting flanging widgity things that help create the near zero breakout. Just make sure that you pull this off before the start of the next cut otherwise it behaves like a washer and nothing happens when you try to do a cut.
I will be releasing a video soon showing the most recent cuts and they are all perfect. There is no breakout on the underside and the sides are very clean. I have a number of videos up my sleeve and they will all use PGS One. I will say if I need to replace the cutter and I will keep everyone informed of any wear and tear.
Peter