A Forstner bit drills a clean, flat-bottomed hole with a guide point at the center and a rim that shears the edge. Woodworkers use them for hinge cups, dowel recesses, shelf pin pockets and overlapping holes. When comparing sets, look at the size range, the piece count, the edge style, the shank, and whether the bits are steel or carbide tipped.
The six sets below run from 7 pieces to 16 pieces. Sizes, steels and shanks come from each listing page and are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these bits ourselves. Where a listing disagrees with itself or leaves out the sizes, we say so.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size range | The smallest and largest diameter set the holes you can bore |
| Edge style | Toothed, wave and plain rims cut and clear chips differently |
| Tip material | Carbide tipped bits are listed for harder wood |
| Shank | A round or reduced shank must fit your chuck |
| Case | A box protects the cutting edges |
Specs at a Glance
| Set | Pieces and range | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freud PB-100 | 16; 1/4 to 2-1/8 in | Forged steel | Toothed edge; 3-1/2 in long |
| Fisch FSA-196037 | 16; sizes not listed | Alloy steel | Wave cutter; wooden box |
| BOSCH FB700 | 7; sizes not listed | Chrome alloy steel | Brad point center; wood case |
| WEN FB5114 | 14; 1/4 to 2 in | HSS | 3/8 in round shank; X-wing head |
| CMT 537.000.16 | 16; sizes not listed | Alloy steel | Right hand; soft wood per bullet |
| Freud FC-107 | 7; 1/4 to 1-3/8 in | Carbide and titanium tips | Wood case; limited lifetime guarantee |
The 6 Best Forstner Bit Sets
1. Freud PB-100 16 Piece Forstner Bit Set
Sixteen forged bits from 1/4 to 2-1/8 inch, each 3-1/2 inches long, with toothed edges and a spur at the center. The maker says the steep cutting edges make smooth, flat holes and clear chips quickly. The shank range is listed as 1/4 to 3/8 inch. The table shows a cutting angle of 1/4 degree, which looks like a data error.
Suits: a full range of sizes. Strengths: 16 sizes to just over 2 inches. Weaknesses: an odd angle figure on the page. Skip it if you only need a few sizes.
View Freud PB-100: 1/4″ to 2-1/8″ (Dia.) 16 Pcs. Forstner Bit Set on Amazon
2. Fisch FSA-196037 Wave Cutter Forstner Bit Set, 16 Pcs
A 16 piece set in a wooden box with a patented wave shaped rim. The maker says it drills blind, edge and angled holes in softwood and hardwood, uses 25 percent less power and is made in Europe. The product page does not list the individual diameters, so check them against the manufacturer data.
Suits: a wood case and a different edge style. Strengths: a stated edge design and a wooden box. Weaknesses: sizes are not on the page. Skip it if you need the size list before ordering.
View Fisch FSA-196037 Wave Cutter Forstner Bit Set, 16 Pcs, Custom Wooden Box on Amazon
3. BOSCH FB700 7-Piece Wood Forstner Bit Set
A seven piece set in a wood case made from chrome steel alloy, with a brad point center for positioning. The maker says it suits portable drills and stationary machines and is meant for decorative holes and hinge boring, even in end grain. The details table lists an SDS-Max shank, which does not match the drill use in the bullets, and gives no individual sizes.
Suits: hinge and decorative holes. Strengths: a compact seven bit case. Weaknesses: a confusing shank line and no sizes. Skip it if you need sizes spelled out.
View BOSCH FB700 7-Piece Wood Forstner Bit Set on Amazon
4. WEN FB5114 14-Piece Forstner Bit Set with Carrying Case
Fourteen high speed steel bits with a 3/8 inch round shank and an X-wing head the maker says gives visibility and stability. The bullet lists 1/4 inch (two), 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 1, 1-1/8, 1-1/4, 1-3/8, 1-1/2, 1-5/8 and 2 inch. A carrying case is included. The table’s 6.35 mm figure matches only the smallest bit.
Suits: a full run of common sizes. Strengths: a full size list and a case. Weaknesses: uncoated or zinc finish. Skip it if you want carbide tips.
View WEN FB5114 14-Piece Forstner Bit Set with Carrying Case on Amazon
5. CMT 537.000.16 16-Piece Forstner Bit Set
Sixteen alloy steel bits in a sturdy case with right hand rotation, described as ideal for drill presses and electric or cordless drills. A bullet says it makes clean holes in soft wood. The listing weight is 16 ounces and the page does not give the diameter range.
Suits: soft wood work. Strengths: 16 pieces in a case. Weaknesses: sizes are not listed. Skip it if you work in hard wood often.
View CMT 537.000.16 16-Piece Forstner Bit Set on Amazon
6. Freud FC-107 Seven Piece Carbide Forstner Bit Set
Seven bits at 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1 and 1-3/8 inch, with micro grain carbide and titanium tips, a center locating spur and a wood case. Length is 3-1/2 inches and the shank range is 5/32 to 3/8 inch. The maker offers a limited lifetime guarantee.
Suits: a short run with carbide tips. Strengths: a clear size list and carbide tips. Weaknesses: only seven sizes. Skip it if you need holes beyond 1-3/8 inch.
View Freud FC-107: Seven Piece Carbide Forstner Drill Bit Set (1/4″ to 1-3/8″ Dia.) on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Clamp the work and drill at a slow speed.
- Back the bit out often to clear chips.
- Keep the bits in their case so the rims stay sharp.
- Follow the maker’s speed advice for large diameters.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Running a large bit at high speed.
- Buying on piece count without a size list.
- Ignoring the shank size of your chuck.
- Drilling without clamping the work.
Forstner Bit FAQ
What is a Forstner bit for?
It bores flat bottomed holes for hinges, dowels, pockets and overlapping cuts, with a center point to locate the hole.
Which set lists the largest bit?
The Freud PB-100 lists up to 2-1/8 inch. The WEN set lists 2 inch.
The Short Version
For the widest range, the Freud PB-100. For a wave cut rim, the Fisch. For hinge holes, the BOSCH. For a full size list, the WEN. For a 16 piece case, the CMT. For carbide tips, the Freud FC-107.