Quality Forstner bits

[Curtis Myers]

I purchased a cheep set of Forstner bits years back. They work ok but when I need a quality cut they are lacking. What Forstner bits are good for lathe work. Black Friday is just around the corner.

[Bill Blasic]

Colt Maxi Cut bits are the best I have used.

[Brian McInturff]

Famag. Can't get any better. But they are pricey!

[Bruce Pratt]

Famag a.k.a. Bormax

[Roger Chandler]

Colt Maxi Cut bits are the best I have used.

My experience has been the same as Bill's........very clean cuts, especially in the pepermills I have done.

[Kent Adams]

I have a set of precision Freud bits that are very nice, a bit pricey too.

[Barry Richardson]

I'm a fan of Colt maxi-cuts for lathe use, they cut end grain better and cooler than regular forstners, and are easy to re-sharpen... but they are pricy, I just bought a couple of my most used size...

[Barry McFadden]

I use the ones from Lee Valley....

[Jamie Buxton]

The secret to getting good holes with forstner bits is to learn how to sharpen them. All tools eventually dull, and a dull tool doesn't work well. You've learned that lesson with turning chisels, and you've learned how to sharpen those chisels. Do the same with forstners.

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

I too have found the Colt Maxi-cut to be the best I've used. Pricey yes but if you can afford them there the ones to get.

[allen thunem]

ok so james you have peeked my curiosity. how do you PROPERLY sharpen forester bits

[Jamie Buxton]

ok so james you have peeked my curiosity. how do you PROPERLY sharpen forester bits

I hone the bottom surface of the cutting edge, using a small stone that is about 1/4x1x4. It isn't anything fancy -- I think it was sold as a stone for sharpening pocket knives. The one trick is to hold the angle of the stone so that the bit's cutting edge touches the workpiece. If you angle the stone wrong, the cutting edge isn't the first thing to touch when you push the bit into the work.

I've seen small diamond files -- from DMT? -- that should do the job too.

[Marvin Hasenak]

I bought a set of Porter Cable bits a few years ago. As to quality, I have used better but at $50 for a set of 14, they were a bargain then and have served me well. If I were one out I might replace it, but since I use most of the sizes, I probably will just buy another set.