Best Forstner Bits : Review And Buying Guide
Brandon Forder May 8, 2024 11:59 AM
In woodworking, Forstner bits are indispensable and are used in conjunction with drills. In 2022, the top forstner bits will be those that are compatible with most drills and efficiently bore holes in wood, or cut precise tenons. Even though every tool manufacturer produces an abundance of Forstner bits, finding one in good condition might be challenging at best. As a result, there is no one "best" Forstner bit on the market; rather, shoppers must choose from a wide range of options of varying quality and use.
We've done the legwork and narrowed down the best Forstner pieces so you don't have to. There are a wide variety of Forstner bits on the market, but this one has them all. Premium Forstner bits like these are made by industry leaders who focus on making tools for woodworking.
Compare Products
- SCORE9.6
- BrandFreud
- Prime
- SCORE9.6
- BrandFreud
- Prime
- SCORE9.6
- BrandFreud
- Prime
- SCORE9.4
- BrandIrwin Tools
- Prime
- SCORE9.4
- BrandIRWIN
- Prime
- SCORE9.2
- BrandIrwin Tools
- Prime
- SCORE9.2
- BrandINTOO
- Prime
- SCORE9.2
- BrandIVY Classic
- Prime
- SCORE8.8
- BrandHPHOPE
- Prime
Last update on 2024-05-08 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Units of measurement
The units in which your Forstner bits will be measured are an essential consideration. You can choose between an imperial set, which includes bits no bigger than an inch, and a metric set, which includes bits no bigger than millimeters or centimeters. You should use inch-sized bits if you're in the US and mostly dealing with US-made products. Otherwise, a set with metric dimensions would be more convenient.
Number of bits
Select the appropriate bit depth if you intend to use it for a certain purpose. You can get a better product while spending less money with this strategy. We recommend acquiring a set containing at least five, and ideally ten, various size bits if you want to keep it in your toolkit. You won't find yourself with a Forstner bit that is too little to be of any use.
Types of shanks
Traditional hand drills and drill presses both contain chucks that may be adjusted to accommodate round shanks. Hex shanks can be used with impact drivers that have a quick-release hex chuck. Before making a purchase, think about how you want to put the item to use.
Tooth Type
There are typically two separate teeth around the periphery of a regular Forstner bit. These two rows of teeth are perpendicular to each other and are made to precisely slice through wood fibers as the tool rotates. This tooth can be rather narrow on some drill bits, and quite large on others—as wide as a quarter of the drill bit's circumference. The cutting speed is increased by the longer edge, and the waste is pushed out of the way by the bar across the middle as the bit rotates. The central spur is only a few millimeters longer than the teeth, allowing for pinpoint accuracy.
Saw-tooth The teeth on a Forstner bit make it look like a rough saw. These are excellent for end grain and are made for more forceful cutting. Freud pioneered the Precision Shear, which features a serrated edge with a sharp internal angle for quick, chisel-like cutting action.
Material
High Speed Steel is commonly used in the production of Forstner drill bits (HSS). Titanium-based HSS drill bits feature a titanium oxide covering. They may be used to bore through steel and wood with ease.
But HSS bits soon lose their effectiveness when used frequently. To fix this, tungsten carbide tips can be installed (often referred to as carbide, for short). The bit's body is linked to these points, creating a cutting edge that retains its edge for considerably longer. The bit's carbide tip will make it suitable for cutting ceramic tile and metal.
Many do-it-yourselfers can get by with HSS bits without professional help. However, professionals or frequent users may benefit from upgrading to a carbide Forstner drill bit set.
One or two firms employ High Carbon Steel (HCS) (HCS). It's true that HCS is softer than HSS, but that "softer" qualifier needs to be understood in the context of the two materials. Still, you can use these bits to drill into wood and other lignocellulose-based materials. HCS bits can't penetrate hard materials like tile and masonry and soft materials like aluminum.
Accessories
Forstner bit sets are normally supplied within a box or container, however the quality varies. For example, if the pieces are poorly fitted, the teeth may knock together and become broken. Some boxes display the bits upright, making it easy to select the one required.
Extensions for Forstner bits allow for deeper holes, up to 8 inches. For boring out the middle of vases, for instance, extenders are widely used by woodworkers. Different diameters of extenders mean that some will only work with 1/2-inch chucks, thus it's important to double-check before purchasing.
Forstner bits wear out quickly, so regular users should think about investing in a set to keep them in tip-top shape. Unlike sharpening ordinary twist drills, the job can’t be done using a bench grinder. Sets feature both flat and round files, as well as a grinding burr designed for use with a rotary tool. Forstner bits made from carbide should be sharpened using a diamond-coated set.
Price
I ranked them in part based on cost considerations. Nonetheless, I considered it with the products' scores on other metrics. This means that the "budget-friendly option" category was the only one in which the price of the tool played a consideration, and the DerBlue set was the clear victor there.
Quality
I usually determine a product's quality by reading both positive and negative reviews, researching the manufacturer's history, and inspecting the physical components. As a whole, the products I highlighted are all rather good values for the money and serve their intended purposes adequately. Even yet, if I could only recommend two things, these two would be my top picks because of the high quality they offer.
Shank
There are two common types of bit shanks: round and hex. Drill presses and regular hand drills typically have adjustable chucks, so they work best with bits that have a round shank. Those with hex shanks are made for use with impact drivers with quick-release hex chucks.
What are the applications of Forstner bits?
Forstner bits are generally used in the woodworking industry to drill holes that are larger than those that can be created with standard drill bits. While other drill bits, such as spade bits, can serve a similar purpose, Forstner bits are substantially more precise and make a clean cut with a flat bottom.
Is it possible to use Forstner bits with a hand drill or an impact driver?
It is possible to utilize certain Forstner bits with impact drivers since they have a hex shank. It is easy to attach most Forstner bits to a hand drill. Use them in tandem with a drill press for a clean, precise cut.
What are Forstner bits used for?
Forstner bits generate clean, accurate holes—particularly ones with a flat bottom, rather of one that goes all the way through the material. One common use is when fitting the type of hinge used for kitchen cabinet doors. They can also drill overlapping holes without deflecting, which enables for quick material removal while cutting mortises. Woodturners use them for boring out vases, constructing candle holders, etc.
Can Forstner bits be used with a hand drill, hammer drill, or impact driver?
With some limitations, Forstner bits can be used in a hand drill, a hammer drill, or an impact driver. There will be more debris produced and the hole won't be as clean if you use a Forstner bit in a hammer drill. You could use an impact driver, but it's not designed for drilling and you might also require a chuck adaptor. While many Forstner bits are round, those with a hex shank might work in an impact driver's chuck.
Can Forstner bits be used on metal?
The primary use of these bits is woodworking, though they can be used on some softer metals if the quality is high enough. Therefore, Forstner bits may have a much lower lifespan when used on different materials.
There's a good probability that you drill a lot of holes if you're a woodworker or a handyman in general. The majority of the time, standard drill bits will suffice, but occasionally, and depending on the nature of your work, very frequently, you will require the larger size and greater accuracy of Forstner bits.
Keep a set of these drill bits on hand so you won't have to rush to the hardware shop at the last minute.
