correct countersink angle?

[Bigmon]

Over the years I have purchased a couple countersink, mostly for use on tang bolts and butt plate screws.  The ones I bought were TOW 82 degree.  But these just do not seem to be the exact angle?
Or maybe I am using these wrong?
Also, I think I should have bought the largest diameter available, as I think I could do any size with it?
Or am I thinking wrong?
Any advice on which countersink angle would be best, and maybe even how to use it correctly, is greatly appreciated?
Thanks

[smylee grouch]

When  the screw head just doesn't fit right, I have heard of guys " pending the screw head and forming it to fit the counter sink hole then dressing it down.

[bluenoser]

The most commonly used countersink angles are 60 and 82 degrees and I believe most countersunk screws are 82 degrees.  To check, hold the shank of the screw up against the side of the countersink and compare the angles.  That is a good habit to get into whenever getting set up to cut countersinks.  Run the countersink at the slowest speed to reduce chatter.  Single flute countersinks are less prone to chatter than those with multiple flutes.
I tend to use the smallest countersink I can safely get away with so the view is as unobstructed as possible.

[45-110]

Modern mass produced Chinese screws that should be 82 deg may or may not be. Use your counter sink and make a die body from scrap steel to swage them into to set the matching angle.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

All good advice and observations.  One thing that can interfere with the way your screws fit the countersink is the angle that you have drilled y9our screw holes.  This shows up most on tang screws, because it is necessary to drill through the tang and wrist at exactly 90 degrees.  Otherwise, the head of the screw will not fit the countersink, and will be low on one side and stick up on the other.
When you set up for drilling the tang screw hole(s), be sure that you are drilling perfectly 90 degrees to the tangent of the wrist's curve.  This is especially hard because you have to be sure you are not leaning to the lock side or the offside, at the same time as drilling 90 to the curve.

[Daryl]

Just went through your whole blogspot Taylor. Impressive.

[Bigmon]

Thanks to all. I have some things to try?