16PCS FORSTNER BITS SET

Needed to make a couple of through-holes in a marine plywood cabinet to mount 12v USB power outlets in a camper. I've spade drilled and jigsaw cut this plywood before and well, it didn't turn out to good. I've procrastinated ever since. But the need did not subside so I pulled the trigger and bought the CORTOOL Forstner Bit Set 16Pcs Hex Shank, Wood Drill Bits Set. Proper tool for the job. Makes great holes or countersinks if you don't go all the way through. In my case, I needed to go through and did not have access to the back side with my drill. The hole cut clean and there were no splintering. Emboldened, I'm now going to take on those other projects that need clean holes. Nice case, oiled bits, sharp, clean cutting bits, good size selection and good price.

Nice set, they create accurate holes, and are sharp. What more can you want.

I opened and test cut with every bit in the set, using a piece of red cedar.They all cut smoothly and left clean, untorn entries.They all, except the smallest, cut oversized holes; 0.2mm to 0.6mm over, well within woodworking standards. I did not think that was bad at all, considering that they are driven by hex shanks. A hex shank does not contact the jaws of a chuck in the same way that a round shank does, inducing more runout.If your picky about getting an exact hole size, I would suggest buying bits with ground round shanks, instead of bargain bits.They all had some small burrs on ground edges, nothing big and easily cleaned up.

I have only used this product a few times, and I have found it to preform very well. It cuts thru a board like a hot knife thru butter. I recommend it!

Quality and quick delivery

I bought both sets which were approximately the same price, about $50 at time of writing.(In the photos, Cortool is on the left, Irwin on the right)I didn’t want to pay more than double for Diablo / Freud as I use these fairly infrequently as a hobbyist, mostly weekend woodworking projects. I kept accumulating various bits of random sizes that I’d buy for a particular project, and lacked a complete set and wanted something organized and easy to grab, that I knew had the sizes I needed. I’ll maybe make a half dozen holes a year with each of these, on fairly pedestrian projects…. I’m not making heirlooms here.I couldn’t seem to find a review in which the lower priced Forstner bit sets were compared, so i figured I’d write it. After browsing deep in the crevices of Amazon, I came up with this hitherto unknown to me Cortool brand which seemed to be reviewed positively. I figured I’d take a chance and I’m glad I did.It’s hard to photograph, but the machining on the Irwin’s is simply lackluster. Some came out of the box with obvious imperfections that were clear to the naked eye.The cortool brand felt sharper, with better attention to detail and finish. The Irwins, by contrast, looked like they were dropped in a machine shop and allowed to roll all over the floor for a week.I didn’t have high expectations, and shouldn’t at this price point. I could nitpick, but for a full set of bits for around $50 at this quality, while the Diablos at Home Depot are $20+ a piece, it seems like I made out like a bandit. If I find that I need something with greater precision in the future then I’ll gross that bridge then, get a better set, and keep this one for backup. For now, I feel pretty good about keeping the Cortool around and sending back the Irwin.

I bought these to install a new balastrade and couldn't be happier. They did a great job in dense, oak hardwood. Cut hole after hole without issue. Love the value and size assortment. I would definetly buy them again. One misconception I had was that they would fit into my drill/driver quick chuck. Not so. But, I have hand tighten chucks on my heavy duty drills and the octogon shape is secure and square to the bore.

These seem a bit cheap but so far working well

They get the job done!

prompt service