Best Forstner Bits – April 2024 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Finding the right Forstner drill bit can be a huge challenge.

There is just a lot you have to think about.

From the size of the holes you want to make, to the durability and make of the bit you want to purchase, the list is endless.

And, when you finally think you have the right Forstner bits, the price is usually just too high.

So how do you find the best Forstner drill bits 2021 for the money? Well, we scoured the internet and after hours of research, we came up with a list of the options out there.

What is The Best Forstner Bits in April 2024?

• PORTER-CABLE PC1014
• Freud PB-100
• Grizzly H7694
• Freud FB-107
• Steelex D3573
• MLCS 9146
• Baban 43219-28185
• Freud FC-107
• Colt & Riss 10800131-2
• Fisch FSA-280323

PORTER-CABLE PC1014 Review

Porter Cable has been around for over 100 years and boasts of producing performance-driven tools for both professional and DIYers.

When it comes to Forstner bits that get the job done, the PORTER-CABLE PC1014 is one of their most popular products and for a good reason.

It features 14 piece set that is affordable and convenient especially for a novice.

Design

Made of hardened steel these bits are not only durable but are capable of standing up to a good number of holes over a long time.

The shanks are reduced to a length no larger than 3/8 inches to enables the use of hand-held drills.

Performance

At its price range, the PORTER-CABLE PC1014 provides beginners a decent set of tools for learning. Even though the set has a tendency of going dull quickly, you will be able to use them for a number of jobs before needing a replacement.

Freud PB-100 Review

Freud boasts of being the industry leader in research, design, and testing of state of the art blade stabilizers and drilling tools.

Their products range from saw blades to router bits, drilling and boring tools and even knives and cutter heads.

When it comes to Forstner bits, the Freud PB-100 is one of the top sets for the money thanks to razor-sharp serrated edges that enables flawless flat bottom holes.

Design

The bits feature a precision shear design with sizes ranging from ¼ inch o 1/8 inch.

Plus the bits come with a wavy edge design that enables you to make angled holes with chisel-like curls giving you the best of both speed and performance. The bits are also forged from quality PB-100 material that is sharp and long-lasting.

Performance

In terms of performance, these bits, though pricey, are ideal for the DIYers who are ready to upgrade to a higher level with bit set that can handle heavy-duty tasks.

They are capable of helping you create accurate precise holes for your shop as long as they are well maintained.

However, if you are only looking for bits to help you out with one-time woodworking tasks, you are better off going with other options in our list that are pocket-friendly.

Grizzly H7694 Review

Since Grizzly industries have been producing some of the top industrial tools and machines.

As a result, their brand and reputation have grown worldwide with products such as the Grizzly H7694 set that is built for precision boring.

Design

With these bits, you can achieve accuracy without scarring thanks to a unique shank design. The set features up to 31 pieces of bits sizes that range from ¼ inch to 2 inches with 1/16 inch increment giving you the most commonly used bits.

Performance

Right out of the box, these serrated bits come in a set that is sharp enough to satisfy any discriminating DIYer.

The best part about the set is the fact that you get incremental bit sizes that go from ¼ to 1/8 inch and even 1/16 inch bits. This makes the set useful no matter the size of the hole you want to make.

The only deal breaker (especially for professionals looking for high-level bits) is the fact that they might be a couple of inches off. For a hobbyist, this is hardly an issue.

Freud FB-107 Review

The Freud FB-107 is another bit set from Freud that outperforms most of its rivals at the same price range.

It boasts of an ideal set of bits that are great for DIYers working with handheld drills and drill presses while drilling through plywood, hard and soft wood.

Design

Plus the wood case they come in is great for protection and storage of your bits. You also get a 1-year warranty with this set which is great for long-term use.

Performance

Here is where most woodworkers will focus on anyway. Well, this set’s bits have a knife edge which that can come quite handy when making angles.

If you are looking to work on smaller DIY projects, this set will impress you even if you are a professional woodworker.

First, it is made up of high-quality bits from Freud’s proprietary high-quality steel. Next, it comes with a one year warranty to guarantee durability.

Steelex D3573 Review

For over 20 years, the Steelex brand has been the go-to name for both professionals and DIYers looking to work with premium quality high-grade tools.

Their Steelex D3573 is one of their most popular products all thanks to a versatile set of bits that enable convenience and premium performance no matter the task at hand.

Desing

Steelex D3573 is built to last. It comes with 16 pieces of Forstner bits that feature improved back angles to deliver nothing short of precision cutting for faster smoother results.

For protection and storage, the bits come in a wooden storage box. These bits are multi-purpose and therefore can be used with a variety of material.

They feature a hex shank design on each of the bits that you can use to ensure zero slippage with increased accuracy in your drilling.

Performance

If you are looking to make boring an easy task, getting these bits will be the first step. They have clean saw-like edges that make them ideal for making clean holes.

However, these are not good for jigging but they offer a wide variety of sizes with bits that have a hex shaft design for accuracy while you use a hand press drill. If all you need is a decent set of bits for home DIY projects, picking Steelex D3573 is a solid choice.

MLCS 9146 Review

If you are out looking for a set of bits that come at a pocket-friendly price while still being able to produce flat bottom holes, the MLCS 9146 is your best pick.

Design

This set features steel bits that boast of the quality precision ground holes.

Plus the bits come in a wooden box that is great for storage or protection of your bits.

Performance

When it comes to performance, this set is ideal for creating cup hinges and door locks thanks to the teeth shape edges of the bits.

However, if you are a professional looking for a flawless set of bits that are sharp straight out of the box, these might disappoint. They are a great value for the money considering they come with a 3-year warranty but will require some high maintenance level.

Baban 43219-28185 Review

From design, to versatility and even convenience, the Baban 43219-28185 presents a compelling option for DIYers and professionals alike.

This sey features a special Tungsten steel body that delivers balanced and precise cuts.

Design

The bits also feature small incision resistance that delivers a fast boring speed with smoothly perfect edges on your holes. Furthermore the high quality make of the bits enables for the making of clean flat bottom holes with zero chipping.

Performance

You can use these bits for multiple applications thanks to a variety of drill bit sizes. From mounting spherical doors to creating perforations on plastic and wood, these bits feature the wear resistance to last though any task.

Freud FC-107 Review

At this point, it is pretty clear that Freud dominates the market when it comes to the manufacturing of Forstner bits.

Simply put, they manufacture some of the most advanced tools around the world.

With the Freud FC-107 you to get a bit set with 7 carbide Forstner bits that deliver a clean cut thanks to the sharp titanium-coated tips.

Desing

The bits are sharp hence ideal for professionals and DIYers looking to cut exceptionally clean holes.

The sizes available include a ¼ inch, 3/8 inch, ½ inch, 5/8 inch, ¾ inch, 1 inch and a 3/8 inch. Plus they come in a wooden case that makes storage easy.

Performance

When it comes to performance, this 7 piece bit set offers tremendous value whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a professional woodworker. It can be used to drill through hardwoods, plywood and even other solid surface materials thanks to the reliable carbide build.

You get to perform precision bore overlapping with the accurate location of the pilot hole thanks to the center spur.

Colt & Riss 10800131-2 Review

Colt & Riss has been around since 1897 and has developed a reputation for exceptional drill bits and power tools.

The Colt & Riss 10800131-2 brings about precision boring that leaves zero chipping behind making it ideal for most DIY projects at home.

Design

In terms of design, these bits are made from forged high alloyed steel that enables them durable quality. In fact, the features on the bits are like nothing you have seen before especially with the lead that acts like a cutting surface that uniquely quickens the drilling process.

Performance

Thanks to the self-cutting able centering point, these set can be used with CNC machines and even standard drill presses.

They are capable of drilling through plywood, as well as softwood while making DIY woodwork projects a breeze. They result in zero slipping making them ideal if you are looking to come up with accurately drilled holes.

Fisch FSA-280323 Review

Little known to most DIYers, Fisch has been making high-quality cutting and drilling tools for some time.

With its drill making factory based in Austria, this company has managed to produce over 2 million quality drilling and milling bits annually which is nothing to sneeze at.

For this reason, the quality that Fisch FSA-280323 delivers, though at a pocket-friendly price tag, does not compromise in performance.

Design

The bits in this set are designed for high rotation speed drills. The bits are capable of precise cutting thanks to patented wave cutter design that Fisch claims to have tested against other leading bits.

As Fisch puts it, these set can manage up to 3 times better performance before re-sharpening.

Performance

You can use these bits on both hard and soft wood. They are made for professional use, however, DIYers can also use them for heavy duty woodworking tasks either with a portable power drill or a boring machine.

The only deal breaker would be the lack of a decent casing for storage. However, this bits set presents a good buy for a job that requires quality on a budget.

Buyer’s Guide

In most cases, DIYers and even professionals can find it challenging when looking for the right Forstner bit set. When boring, you might find that you require a precise size of bits to get the hole just right.

Good news for you is that we have looked into some of the most important consideration you ought to keep in mind while shopping. Check them out.

Size

Size matters a lot while going for the forstner bit for the job. If you already have a project in mind, it makes total sense to know the exact size of the holes you will need to make. This can make your work way easier as you will find the right size faster.

Alternatively, you can purchase an entire set and have a variety of bit sizes for future projects as well.

Type of bit edge

This type of bits feature a variety of edging designs. Mostly the design depends on how you plan to use them.

With knife-edge bits, you get to cut and drill holes faster but at the risk of overheating your drill bit. This can lead to a dull bit that needs constant sharpening and maintenance.

Another edge design is the wavy edge. These type of bits come with a small serration and do a better job at dissipating the heat.

You, however, have to compromise on the speed with these types of bits as they have less constant contact with the edges of the surface you are drilling through. There is also a good chance your holes will have chips and unclean angles.

Another edge design to look out for is the saw tooth design. These types of bits can handle high-speed drilling and cutting but might end up disappointing you when drilling at angles. They tend to induce tear out, especially while working with plywood.

However, you can use a 90-degree angle to get the nice results.

Bit Material

Usually, there is a high-grade steel make if it is to help you make a good number of holes.  Apart from the advanced machining process, what counts at the end of the day in terms of cost is the metal that the bit is made of.

If you are looking to work on lightweight projects, going with a Forstner bit made from high-speed steel (which is usually a cheaper option) makes total sense.

Compared to steel bits, these type of bits will manage to stand up to more punishment and produce acceptable results.

For high-quality heavy duty work, a carbide-based steel bit will give you the best results. However, this type of bits come at a higher price but is worth the durability and the long-lasting performance.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. These are 10 of the best Forstner drill bits you will find. Be sure to pick one depending on your plan and budget. We checked to make sure that the list covers a variety of options no matter what you are looking for.