Best Forstner Bits To Add To Your Woodworking Tool Kit
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Best Forstner Bits Buying Guide
If you're still uncertain about which Forstner bit set to acquire at this point, this buying guide should provide you a decent foundation on which to make your decision.
What To Look For In The Best Forstner Bits?
Units of measurement
An important factor to consider is the units in which your Forstner bits will be measured. Imperial and metric sets are the two alternatives here; the former will feature inch-sized bits, while the latter will have millimeter- and centimeter-sized bits. If you're based in the United States and generally work with local materials, choose inch-sized bits. Otherwise, a metric-sized set may be preferable.
Number of bits
If you have a specific application in mind, get the bit size that you require. It will enable you to save money while also allowing you to obtain a higher-quality item. If you're looking for a set to keep in your toolbox, we suggest getting one with at least five – preferably ten – different sizes bits. You won't end up in a position where you have a Forstner bit but it's useless because it's the wrong size.
Types of shanks
Drill presses and ordinary hand drills, both have adjustable chucks that are appropriate for round shanks. Impact drivers with quick-release hex chucks are compatible with hex shanks. Consider your usage and choose the product accordingly.
Container
When it comes to Forstner bits, there isn't much to talk about in terms of accessories, unlike with power tools. However, you'll probably want to choose a set of pieces that comes with a handy storage container. This will allow you to maintain the pieces in good condition for a long time while also keeping them organized.
What Are The Benefits of Forstner Bits?
Forstner bits have a number of advantages over other bit types. Here they are, and as a woodworker, they can all give you greater control and alternatives.
More Smoothness and Precision
Forstner bits provide flat bottom holes that are clean and precise. When it comes to getting smoothness, the difference between a twist bit and a forstner bit is tremendous. Drilling neat holes through a thick piece of wood are possible with them.
Less Tear Out
With a Forstner bit, there is less tear-out. The cutting action of drilling can extract fibers from the wood. This leaves rough spots, which may necessitate more repair. The forstner bit is soft on the wood and only removes material when it is absolutely necessary.
No Slippage
These bits get a great start in the wood. When using twist bits, you have to be concerned about the drill moving away from your target. Drills are slacker instruments that go where they want. Forstner bits enter the wood very well, and just where you want them to, thanks to the center spur.
Allows Larger Holes
Forstner bits allow for larger holes and bores. Twist drills are only available in a limited number of sizes. Forstner bits are introduced and overlap some of the sizes before progressing to very large diameters of several inches.
Affordable Option
Forstner bits are reasonably priced. While some of the larger bits may be more costly, the typical sizes are not. For around $20, you can acquire a nice quality set of bits, and for a little more, you can obtain much larger sets.
What Are Different Types Of Drill Bits?
Brad-point drill bit
The tip of this drill bit has a sharp spur, and the sides have spiral grooves (flutes). The flutes are designed to capture wood chips and expel them from the hole as you drill, resulting in a clean hole. The sharp tip helps position the bit in the right area. Jobs requiring a high level of detail can be completed quickly with brad-point bits.
Twist drill bit
Like the brad-point bit, this basic bit has a sharp cutting tip and fluted edges to remove waste when the hole is drilled. The twist bit is a multi-purpose bit that may be used on wood, thin metal, and plastic in the home.
Countersink drill bit
The countersink drill bit is a special bit that is used to generate a pilot hole with a wider opening at the top for countersinking screw heads. The countersink drill bit, which is primarily used on wood, allows you to insert the fastener deep enough that the head does not protrude above the surface of the material.
Forstner drill bits
The Forstner drill bit, named after its 19th-century creator, Benjamin Forstner, is designed to drill a flat-bottomed hole in wood. It has the same tip spur as a brad-point bit for precision drilling, but the body of the bit is designed to drill a flat-bottomed hole. Forstner bits are commonly used in high-end furniture and cabinetry construction to drill holes for dowels (not screws).
Best Forstner Bit of 2021 Reviewed in Detail
Steelex D1020 Forstner Bit
– Best Forstner Bit Overall
It is the top-quality Forstner bit built from carbon steel. The Steelex D1020 2-1/2″ Forstner Bit is developed to withstand high-speed drilling; it can be also used with power drills to produce the finest holes. Its sawtoothed design can cut through all types of woods with precision and 100% accuracy. This Forstner bit has a 1/2″ shank and measures 6-1/4″ long to fit in all standard drills. You can count on this!
- Ingeniously built to drill through medium-hard to hardwoods
- Comes box-packed in a wooden container with a holder
- Ensures high precision and 100% accuracy
- Not very durable in the long run
- Requires sharpening of bits after some time interval
PORTER-CABLE Forstner Bit Set
– Runner Up
The set has 14 pieces of the finest quality bits specially built to produce clean flat bottom holes. All the 14 Forstner bits have an open-tooth design enabling them to cut through hard and softwoods with perfection. These are made from hardened steel to ensure durability and reliability. Their blades are accurately sharpened to ensure seamless cutting. The Forstner bit sizes in the set vary from 1/4 inch to 2 inches. Isn’t it a complete package?
- 14 different sizes of Forstner bit in a portable box
- Made from high-quality steel to ensure durability
- Features optimized cutting angles to drill holes in flat surfaces
- Don’t work well with low power drills
- Slight inaccurate cutting edge
IRWIN Marples Forstner Bit
– Honorable Mention
This 1-inch Forstner bit from IRWIN is one of a kind because of its long-lasting durability and effectiveness. It can be used with all types of drilling machines and has a 3/8″ shank size to easily fit in larger drills and drill presses. This Forstner bit is made up of tough-grade carbon steel to cut through semi-hard and hardwoods. Its ultra-sharp blades are designed for clean and smooth woodworking and the sharp teeth produce precise pocket holes and flat-bottomed holes. The IRWIN Marples Forstner Bit is truly very efficient.
- Specially designed to cut through hard and soft woods seamlessly
- Has ultra-sharp tooth-style blades with sharpened edges
- Drill holes in less time as compared to traditional bits
- Not suitable for hours-long use
- Not very efficient in drilling hardwoods
Meichoon Forstner Drill Bit Set
– Contender
A 16 piece Forstner drill bit set from Meichoon is all you need for effective woodworking. The ingenious design of all bits is a highlighted feature of the set. These bits are specifically designed to minimize tremor and chip spread, the blade design also offers minimalist incision resistance resulting in improved opening speed. All the Forstner bits allow smooth cutting operation with high accuracy and precision. The sizes range from 15mm to 35mm in diameter. Apart from woodworking, these Forstner bits can be used for various applications on different materials such as plastic, plywood, etc.
- A complete set of Forstner bits that can be used for a variety of operations
- Made of tungsten steel and carbide to last longer
- Create a fine smooth finish on different surfaces
- You will experience heating effects during power drilling, thus need to be handled with care
Roman Carbide Forstner Bit
– Also Consider
Made from heavy-duty carbide material, the Roman Carbide DC1853 Carbide Forstner Bit is one of the best bits available in the market. It has a very efficient design that cuts through hard and soft materials easily. The micro-grain carbide cross tips technology allows it to work with the same effectiveness for a long time. Its hex shank also provides a great design advantage that resists slipping and works with precision. The metric size ranges from 8mm to 100mm. The micro-grain carbide cross tip stays sharper to drill holes and notched for years.
- Allows faster and smooth running
- Has an advantageous design for precision
- The 3/8″ shank size can fit in most of the standard drills
- Excess chips spread while cutting.
- Slight runs out due to carbide material
Fulton 10 inch Long Forstner Bit Extension
– Also Consider
It’s an essential tool to enhance the workability of Forstner bits. The Fulton 10 inch Long Forstner Bit Extension helps in extending the range of the 3/8 inch shank Forstner bit. It is made up of steel and easily connects with every Forstner bit. With this tool in your kit, you don’t need to worry about deep holes, just connect it with your Forstner bit and start drilling. The outside diameter of this bit extension is 25/32 inch to accommodate slightly different shank sizes.
- Provides you up to 10 inches of extension to drill deep
- Made of heavy-duty machined steel to last longer
- Designed to give you an 8 ½ inches additional reach
- Loosened fit during power drilling
- Slightly overpriced
INTOO Hex Shank Forstner Bit Set
– Also Consider
The high-quality Forstner Bit Set consists of 8 different bits made from strong carbon steel. These bits come with a hex shank that can be fitted in any electric power machine and drill presses. The hex shank is easy to install and remove and works perfectly to prevent the bit from slipping. Moreover, these bits are ingeniously developed by INTOO using advanced level technology to assure toughness and provide enough shock resistance. You can easily make flat-bottomed and pocket holes with these bits without chipping.
- Comes with extra sharp cutting blades
- Works seamlessly on every type of wood
- High-quality material assures good resistance and toughness
- Not reliable for big projects
- Get dull after continuous use
Forstner Bit FAQ
A: Forstner bits are mostly used in the woodworking industry to drill holes that are larger than those that can be made with ordinary drill bits. While other drill bits, such as spade bits, can perform a similar function, Forstner bits are significantly more precise and produce a clean cut with a flat bottom.
A: Some Forstner bits have a hex shank that allows them to be used with impact drivers. Most Forstner bits can also be simply fitted to a hand drill. To get a smooth, straight cut, you should use them in conjunction with a drill press.
A: While they can be used on softer metals, especially if the bits are of higher quality, they are primarily designed for woodworking. As a result, employing forstner bits on other materials could reduce their lifespan dramatically.
