As a result, they are often compared to spade bits and even hole saws. Forstner bits are considered to be more versatile than spade bits, though, because they can effectively bore holes at an angle or on the edge of a work piece. As you’ve seen, this type of drill bit is exceptionally useful in a variety of hole-making situations including those that occur at angles and on the edge of a workpiece. You also now know the basics of using this kind of a bit, regardless of whether you are using a hand drill or a drill press.

Bosch Professional Forstner Drill Bit (Ø 20 mm, length 88 mm

Once your Forstner bit is inserted and secured, mark your workpiece to indicate the precise center of the desired hole. This can be done with a pencil or chalk. This guide will teach you about all of that, even if you have no prior experience with this type of drill bits at all. What Are Forstner Bits and Why Use Them? Once you’ve reached proper alignment, you can flip on your drill press and begin to slowly press into your workpiece. Be sure to take it slow at first so you can get a handle for the feeling of resistance caused by this kind of wide drill bit. Hold it steady: Using a Forstner bit to drill a hole on a vertical surface can be challenging due to a hand drill’s weight distribution. To counteract this, you may want to add an auxiliary handle to your drill. This will give you a second support point that can keep your hole perfectly straight as it is being made.To begin with, a Forstner bit is a unique type of boring drill bit that allows a woodworker to create clean, flat-bottomed holes in a workpiece. In particular, any crafter worth their salt should know about Forstner bits. Not only that, but those same crafters should know how to use a Forstner bit in both a hand drill and a drill press. There are a lot of drill bits out there today. This is even true when it comes to specialized drilling jobs that require a bit to bore out a hole in materials like wood or plastic. As such, a professional craftsman or a DIYer should know their options before jumping into a project that requires hole boring.

Forstner Bit - Bosch Professional

Start slowly by making an initial indent that allows your bit’s guide to steady itself. You’ll also need to apply some pressure to your hand drill at this point, but not so much that your bit begins to “walk” around the wood’s surface. Continue pressing in carefully with the trigger engaged until you reach the desired bore depth. Then, you can release the trigger and carefully slide the Forstner bit’s head out of the hole as it slows down to a stop. At this point, your hole is effectively finished. As you begin to establish the hole, you can increase the speed and apply more pressure via the drill press’ arm. Step 4: Slow Down, Withdraw, and Finish If you intend to press all the way through and create a full hole, you can continue from this point. Before doing so, be sure to clean out any excessive sawdust to prevent extra heat build-up over your Forstner bit’s blade. How to Use a Forstner Bit with a Hand DrillAfter those marks are made, align them with the center of your Forstner bit. This can be done by lowering the arm on your drill press without activating the unit’s motor. This will prevent blowouts, especially if you intend to bore all the way to the other end of your workpiece. Step 2: Attach Your Bit and Mark the Center