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Mike T. Rochester, NY
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
Others have commented on this. This is just not a good application for a hand drill. It requires control of position and speed that the hand drill MIGHT give you with a well-clamped drill guide, but certainly not freehand. I tried and it DID cut slowly and cleanly, but it kept tripping the clutch and that invites uneven cutting. There is too much energy in the spinning of a large bit, and hiccups can mess up the cut. That's why this and large router bits can be dangerous without proper precautions.I set it up in the drill press and used a low speed of 600 RPM. The bit cut pine easily and cleanly. The photo shows rings in the bottom of the cut which will easily sand out, and slight irregularities in the sidewalls that will also sand. Be ready for a lot of wood shavings.I switched to maple and the denser wood created more heat and some smoking. The wood did not burn because I reduced the downward pressure to slow down the cutting rate. Despite signs of heat, the cut looked just as good as the pine cut. Just take your time with denser woods like this and oak.This is not a top-of-the-line bit, being a cross between a regular Forstner bit and a hole saw. But it creates a pretty clean hole and should work for most applications. I will use it to make entry holes for 2-1/2" dust collector hose.
Justin D Ozone
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
2-1/2inThis bit is fabricated from hardened tool steel then ground to be very sharp. Its 2-1/2in diameter is large enough to make boring a challenge but I was able to bore clean holes quickly in 3/4in pine with both a 3/4HP drill press and an 18VDC hand drill. 3/4in Hemlock didn’t present a challenge in the same tests either. Full 1in Tigerwood slowed both the hand drill and drill press noticeably, but I think that’s to be expected.I am pleased with this bit’s performance, and it is a nice addition to my Forstner set which tops out at 2in. Not shown on its product page is a nice cylindrical, translucent case that helps keep it sharp and your blood inside your body.
Joe
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2025
These bits came very sharp; more so than other Forstner bits I have. It also has a thicker shaft that gives me confidence in the strength of this thing. Looks like precision manufacturing. Forstner bits like this cut a very clean precise hole, cleaner than a hole saw. I bought both the 2-inch and 2-1/2" bit to cut holes for audio tweeters for speaker systems I build. I was previously using a small router on a center pivot pin for this. These bits will be much faster, and since it is controlled by the outside of the hole and totally cuts out the center portion of the wood, it will not have the problem a router has when the center disk moves as the wood breaks through to the other side and the cut disk spins freely. This bit will also cut a deeper hole than a hole saw, which is limited by the depth of the saw cup.I will use these in a drill press at a lower speed. It could be dangerous in a hand drill.
Kevin
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
I've used many sizes of Forstner bits from my cheap Ryobi Forstner bit set for years. This bit was larger than the ones I had so I figured it would be a nice addition. After receiving it I gave it a test on a scrap piece of wood and it did not go well. The serrated edge seemed like a good idea but it kept catching and running off on me. I tried it at different speeds assuming it would need to be used at a slower speed given it's large diameter. I could not find a speed that didn't pull off across the wood.This would probably work with a drill press at a very slow speed but with a hand held drill I don't see it being useful on hardwood (the scrap was Alder I believe the softest of the hardwoods). I haven't tried it on plywood or softer woods but that's my guess.It seems well made, heavy, but the design just makes it difficult to use.Bottomline is that I never had any problems with my other Forstner bits and if there is a specific technique to using this (there were no instructions included specifying speed or anything else) so you may want to look elsewhere.
Angel Winged Novelist
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2025
It took a couple weeks to arrive, but once it did, I am pleased. It arrived sharp and gives me a clean cut in softer woods (using my drill press). Harder woods are a little more challenging for this bit, struggling to give a clean cut and taking far longer to get through the material. A caution to anyone using larger diameter bits like this: use a drill press and securely clamp down your material... and don't be the one who injures themselves using it with a hand drill, it will not go well.
Jeremiah
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2025
This 2-inch Forstner drill bit is an excellent choice for anyone looking to make clean, precise holes in various materials like hardwood, softwood, veneered plywood, and plastic. The saw-toothed design allows for smooth, sharp cuts, even in harder woods, providing a clean hole with minimal tear-out. I’ve used it for woodworking projects like hinge installations, and it has consistently delivered excellent results, cutting through materials quickly without compromising on accuracy.The bit’s construction is solid and durable, and it maintains its sharpness even after several uses. It drills perfectly round holes, which is ideal for applications where precision is key, such as cabinet hardware installation or other fine woodworking projects. Whether you're drilling through softwood or tough hardwood, this bit handles a variety of materials with ease, making it a versatile addition to any woodworking toolkit.Overall, this Forstner drill bit is a must-have tool for anyone who values clean, precise drilling. It’s well-built, durable, and versatile, making it perfect for woodworking projects that require accurate hole sizes. Highly recommended for DIYers and professionals alike!
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