10 Forstner Bit Tips and Tricks - I bet you're running your bits too fast (Free RPM Chart Download)

Support what we do at www.kmtools.com
I bet you’re running your forstner bits at the wrong speed. In today’s video we talk about Forstner Bits and the ten best ways to use them. There’s a free PRM chart download and we talk about how to use them and where.
Let me know what you’d like to see next! Please like, comment and subscribe.
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Free Forstner Bit RPM Chart shop.kmtools.com/rpmchart
CMT Forstner Bit Set (Discount Code KMTBIT) shop.kmtools.com/CMTforstnerbits
Center Punch shop.kmtools.com/centerpunchred
10 PAck of Ultra Strong Magnets shop.kmtools.com/3BQFNpm
We Just Launched CMT Router Bits and they’re on sale shop.kmtools.com/cmtrouterbits
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Timestamps
Timestamps
Intro- Proper RPM and Free Download 0:00
How to Use a Forstner Bit Correctly 0:55
How to Tell What RPM You’re Using 2:00
How To Drill a Through Hole 2:37
Drilling Plugs and Using a Center Punch 4:25
Inside Curves, Magnets, Mortises, and Round to Square Legs 6:20
Forstner Bit Set, Discount Codes and Outro 8:27
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[@katzmosestools]

*Support what we do at* www.kmtools.com *Free Forstner Bit RPM Chart* shop.kmtools.com/rpmchart *CMT Forstner Bit Set (Discount Code KMTBIT)* shop.kmtools.com/CMTforstnerbits *Center Punch* shop.kmtools.com/centerpunchred *10 PAck of Ultra Strong Magnets* shop.kmtools.com/3BQFNpm *We Just Launched CMT Router Bits and they’re on sale* shop.kmtools.com/cmtrouterbits *The Katz-Moses Woodworker’s With Disability Fund* kmtools.com/pages/kmww-charity

[@pamtnman1515]

thank you, Jonathan

[@sailingeric]

Forstner bit was invented by Benjamin Forstner who is buried not to far from where I live. Some day soon I will need find his grave ( it is near Salem Oregon) and pour out a little sawdust for all woodworking homies.

[@velcroman11]

Yes,he was buried in a circular grave cut by a really big Forstner bit.

[@christophermckinney984]

Don’t just go up there with some mad dog sawdust! Better at least be some Johnnie Walker level sawdust or better!

[@jasondalton6111]

Thanks for the RPM guide. Printed. laminated. Tacked up by the drill press.

[@katzmosestools]

I love mine. So helpful

[@sashqa0]

This press has worked like a charm for my projects kzbin.infoUgkxajoEbapTfqWaadnqb04h6U576yxXp-FE . I didn't even secure it to my table top, mainly due to the fact that I was using a 15 lbs drill vise. It's not flimsy at all as to what others have claimed it to be. Make sure the locking nuts and levers are secured and there won't be any issues with light pressure and patience. I was able to drill through aluminum, plastic, and steel (steel took a while) with no problems at all. Yeah it took a little longer than a regular drill press, but I don't have the space OR the money for one.The instruction manual was worthless, but luckily assembling the press was intuitive. However, the manual would be good for ordering replacement parts if needed. There is a nice breakdown of the parts that are included in the kit. Before ordering, make sure it is compatible with your unit, it is clearly stated what models the press is compatible with.This was an excellent purchase for $40!!

[@BiggMo]

6:14 “…we don’t hide our mistakes…” …RESPECT!!!

[@mickleblade]

I reccomend a wood burning stove....

[@d-rayphelps1630]

Thanks for sharing this with us. I have been trying to turn that bit at 3000 fine dust and smoke!!! So now I know better. Thanks so much I appreciate you very much!

[@Goalsplus]

Some times I think of odd things. If we're upcycling or reusing wood from an old build in 50 years, will we be digging out magnets along with the nails and screws?

[@Nettle314]

Perfect, thanks! The meticulous conversion from the imperial to the metric part in the chart is no joke ey! Machinist grade NASA level stuff, damn ! haha, giggle aside tho this information is gold - cheers!

[@dillboy2]

Love how at the end you said 'Router bits' clearly your mind was else where, but really good video! Honestly knew slow was good but was'nt expecting 250 rpm! Will definitely give it a try! Keep up the good work your content is brilliant!

[@attainableapex]

you can loosen the strength on the retraction of the spindle. It’s super easy and makes it a bit easier to use.

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@imjoekang]

I got a set of CMT forstner bits and can confirm happily drilling holes daily.

[@katzmosestools]

They're great!

[@antonoat]

Superb video, thanks a bunch for sharing your knowledge with us newbies, I’ve subscribed to your channel. Cheers from the UK 👏👍😀🍺

[@littleeaglewoodworks]

I cannot believe that I didn’t realize this. Thank you sir. Today my bits cut through cherry like they were new without any burning!

[@ironwood1621]

Thank you for the chart. Very good info.

[@COEYRN]

I love it when I watch several videos and somehow I missed the one persons video that can actually explain why? You actually just explained to me, in simple terms, in the first thirty seconds what i'm doing wrong. I am definitely subscribing to you. Plus I was looking at just the pictures of your other videos and they look super awesome. I just watched the rest of your video. Damn!!!!😂❤

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

thank you for the fantastic info jonathan!

[@MrHaesuse]

Just found your channel. Love it, Chief Sawdust Maker. Bought the sled stop from your shop today. Thanks for your content.

[@glennprovenzano1837]

Thanks for the RPM guide

[@carasmussen27]

Thank you. I am looking into buying a set of forsner bits. This was very helpful

[@waydegardner7373]

Man this is good info. I did 72 oak branch tea candles and by trial and error (I’m new to the craft) found the right rpm but it was work. Thanks for this.

[@markduggan3451]

Great information as always.

[@villageidiot8718]

Thanks for the helpful information and handy chart.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Jonathan! Thanks a lot for the guide! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@katzmosestools]

My guy!

[@gurj441]

Hi Jonathan, once again a fantastic informative video, thank you. Could I ask would you use spade bits in the same fashion or do they have different applications?

[@jodilea144]

Thanks for the tips! 🙂

[@patrickbink4617]

Great information Jonathan. My biggest takeaway is to slow the speed down. Thank you. Now its time to check out your store again :)

[@BobMuir100]

Amazing! I had no idea for me it was always more power!! Kindest Bob England

[@norm5785]

Awesome information stay safe happy and healthy, thank you for sharing this with us today from Henrico County Virginia

[@katzmosestools]

Cheers!

[@douglasbrown3493]

Great video, thanks for the tips! My only difference is I find that no matter how hard you try to hide plugs by grain matching, once finish is applied they are easy to spot. So I turn mine into a design feature and turn the grain 90 degrees. And even more as a stand out feature would be to use a contrasting wood although that may not always be appropriate. Thank you!

[@tannerevans3056]

You are 100% right. I’m runnin these babies way too fast. Might explain why I have to replace them so often. Lol. ThankS, JKM!

[@daveleach4357]

Great question

[@danielmaclellan7003]

Your feedback on drilling at angles as well as bit sharpening would be appreciated! Thanks for the awesome vid!

[@DrinksWithCody]

8:27 - "a bunch of ways to use router bits" It's ok. I have a kid under 5 too and rarely get enough coffee. I get it.

[@katzmosestools]

Hahaha this guy gets it

[@kencoleman7762]

Great video. I noticed you are using a Nova Voyager DVR drill press and that thing improved my work on a drill press. With no belts to change, you dial in whatever speed you want. The icing on that cake, however, is the computerized control that suggests the best speed for seems like a hundred different types of bit for different thicknesses of different woods. I was running my hole saws way too fast and, once I started using the suggested slower speeds for different diameter saws for different types and thicknesses of wood, hole sawing smoothed out and life was good.

[@TrevorDennis100]

I was thinking along those lines, but that's a $2000 drill press. In Australia and New Zealand we can get the Full Boar 750W drill press for the equivalent of a little under US$300. It does not have speed range of the Nova, but is infinitely variable from about 400rpm to 2500rpm. It has 80mm (3 1/8") spindle travel, and something I really like, a 16mm (5/8") keyless chuck. Hmmm... I have just checked and the price has gone up 150% since I bought mine, so it is now NZ$750 (422USD) but that is still just a quarter the price of the Nova. The bottom line is both drills can change speed without the need to mess with belts and pullies, or even stop the drill, so it is super easy to always use the right speed.

[@kencoleman7762]

@@TrevorDennis100 You make an excellent point. I was not aware of that drill but it sounds like a very useful tool.

[@russelltherealestateguy7527]

I was definitely running my bits to fast. Thanks for the tips.

[@katzmosestools]

My guy!

[@brentfowler2317]

Dang Jonathan, my drill press can't even show down that much! Lol Great advice though my friend! I work in a cabinet shop full time. So I see the crazy wrong way to do things with newer people all the time! Anyhow thanks for all the excellent content on your channel my friend!!

[@straight_to_finish]

Ahhh, I wish this video came out last week. I used a forstner bit (+ track saw) to cutout an apron sink in a Boos maple counter for a customer. It was definitely smoking due to the high RPM’s but fortunately, it didn’t matter since it was only a rough cutout. I finished the cutout using a template and flush trim router bit and it left a perfectly smooth finish-no sanding required.

[@magicworldbyjorg]

,a cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…..

[@3henry214]

Well... this certainly explains why I've been burning through my Forstner bit set, as I've been clueless regarding the correct speed and the manufacturer of the set did not see fit to provide any rpm recommendations or warnings to use them at low speed. It also doesn't help when the packaging/description indicates that they are made from HSS (high speed [tool] steel), which causes the uninitiated (like me) to not think twice about limiting the rpm's.

[@davidmeyer9204]

Thank You

[@stevenlarson6125]

My drill press only goes down to 480 (belt driven). It sucks when using larger forstners as I know they aren't cutting efficiently. Using a hand held drill sucks with large forstner bits though.

[@cabman86]

I was boring 2" holes in spalted oak using the slowest speed and was still overheating the bit. It's a drill press that you move the belt from pulley to pulley.

[@fdort3971]

Thanks

[@RockHardWoodDaddy]

Very nice! :) My drill press gladly has an rpm chart at the belt top :D

[@katzmosestools]

Very nice!

[@RockHardWoodDaddy]

8:26 I guess your meant to say "forstner" instead of router :p

[@edwardcook3716]

Great video but it raised a Question - does the speed chart apply to drilling end grain too, or just face grain?

[@regularguy9264]

Great video. You could have also mentioned any videos you have on sharpening those bits, or the merch you carry for sharpening them!

[@spycedezynuk]

Stumpy nubs has a really good video on that just using a credit card size diamond sharpener

[@murayamawoodworks]

Thank you for this! Just the other day, I was using my forsteners for drilling some holes for a microwave install using my cordless (I know, not the intended purpose). But I was thinking then, "this is probably not the right speed for this, since my drill press runs much slower..." Now I know. It wasn't the right speed! Aside from that, I don't see it the description or comments but what set of plug cutters do you recommend? I'm actually in the market for them. Thanks as always!

[@markwatters6875]

Thanks mate 👍🇦🇺

[@katzmosestools]

👍

[@greglevandoski2983]

Yo J-Katz, can you look into selling a 10mm forstner bit to go along with the 10mm magnets you sell? Great video and thanks for the speed chart. Be well.

[@chrissanchez2152]

Great video! and then you said router bits at 8:28 🤦🏽‍♂️ but we know what ya mean - great content as always

[@jhans3278]

Thanks for the video. How difficult is it to sharpen CMT forstner bits? Do you have any comments about carbide-tipped forstner bits?

[@katzmosestools]

They're like 6-8 dollars a piece on my website. If you run them right you won't have to replace often. Sharpening is way more trouble than its worth

[@woodysranch2690]

You should do a review on the Nova DVR Drill press. It is the reason you can change the speed so easily, most wouldnt bother changing the belts and folks need to know more about this drill press regardless of the price. The Viking is a cheaper more affordable version with the same features

[@madebyshellien]

"Do as I say not as I do." Okay dad. 🙄🤣

[@yohannsantos4901]

Thanks for the video! any forstner bit you would recomend in metric and in europe? I got some cheap ones and it gets dull really fast. Those CMT are just imperial, right?^ Cheers!

[@JohnBaron-yc6ss]

One professional woodworker I know told me he keeps his drill press set at the lowest speed for everything (except metals). Thoughts about that?

[@kevinr1704]

The same goes for drilling metal. Most people want to run the drill or drill press at wide open. You will go through a lot of bits doing that. Or you better learn to sharpen them properly and often. Thank you for sharing this!

[@kevinr1704]

@text-3264 You need Jesus Christ in your heart. We work hard for what money we have, and you try to steal it. Why don't you quit scamming people and get an honest job? Everybody's wise to these stupid scams. You may not get caught and have to answer for what you've done, but one day, you will stand before a just and Holy God and give an account of your actions. I suggest that you repent of your sins and ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and savior before it's too late.

[@jimwiskus8862]

Do you have a preference on a good solid brand of forstner bits?

[@rustyreview]

im having a hell of a time going into pine end grain. anything that needs to be adjusted for that?

[@creationscaplette]

I was wondering if the speed can be too slow... could I just use the slowest speed on my drill press no matter the size of the bit and the type of wood ?

[@BrianKothe]

My drill press only goes down to 500 RPM, am I SOL when it comes to bits that should be run under 500 or is there another way to keep the bit cool?

[@bobjohnson6371]

I bought a set of forstner bits, 1 inch through 3 inch. All the spurs ( tips ) are threaded, so they screw them selves into the wood. Almost impossible to use with out hurting yourself. Any ideas why they would come like that ? My smaller set just has smooth tips, work great.

[@ikust007]

Merci énormément

[@katzmosestools]

You're welcome my friend!

[@efaber3565]

In between boring stages, I leave the drill press on. Then use a clean, dry toothbrush to remove the buildup of wood chips.

[@ikust007]

5:54 brilliant

[@timwoods4100]

Funny, I just bought 5 Nova drill presses for our shop.

[@katzmosestools]

They're pretty incredible

[@jesterraj]

What's a good set between $20-$25???

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

Haha you called them router bits at the end there. 8:25 Slow down you say, good advice.

[@katzmosestools]

Yeah that's been a thing for my entire career. 🤣🤣

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

@@katzmosestools Well, I agree. I turned down the speed on my drill press, I use Forstners on walnut and red oak so I thank you for that. Now if I could get the shop a little more organized...

[@SavageVoyageur]

Dang my drill press only goes to 610 RPM at the lowest speed. Time to upgrade, or is there another option?

[@G0rad]

What are those magnets

[@ronaldpatton5668]

After 40 years as a toolmaker I can tell you that the tool will tell you if your speed is correct.

[@ikust007]

1:13 nice automatic rpm setting !

[@katzmosestools]

Yeah that nova drill press is something else

[@ikust007]

@@katzmosestools :))

[@Keifsanderson]

I've got my drill press set as slow as it will go and I don't change it because it's a hassle. I've kinda assumed slow will work for everything, even though it may slow production sometimes. Am I wrong?

[@johnhawkinson]

Very small drill bits need a high RPM to avoid wobbling and snapping. If that's not a problem, then nothing wrong with slow, other than obvious(?): slower material removal in some cases.

[@Keifsanderson]

@@johnhawkinson Thanks. I use my press 90% of the time on wood. What is your definition of "very small"? I don't think I've ever even had a bit less than an 1/8" in it.

[@johnhawkinson]

@@Keifsanderson Well, "small enough to snap" - if you're not snapping them, then you're good. But yeah, around 1/8" or 3/32" is where this usually manifests, but the exact size depends on how bad (or good) the workholding is, length of drill bit stickout, drill bit material, presence of a pilot hole or centerpunch, applied drilling force, plus some magic operator skill factor. Oh, and speed of the drill press, "as slow as it will go" can be quite a wide range from model to model.

[@Keifsanderson]

@@johnhawkinson Thanks for the input. I've never clocked my press, since I can't readily change it, and it's as slow as she'll run. It's an vintage/antique Buffalo. I guess I should go poke around Vintage Machinery and see if anyone has ever posted the specs.

[@johnhawkinson]

@@Keifsanderson Ideally you'd borrow a tachometer to measure it. But you can also check the motor RPM (Should be labeled! Usually 1800 or 3600 rpm) and do some simple math based on the pulley ratios. These days you can probably put a sharpie mark on the spindle (or maybe paste on a cool printout )and use a cellphone camera. Camera should do 30 or 60 fps and 300 rpm is 5 Hz, so even just counting frames would work.

[@krawec1958]

What about plastic or plexiglass??

[@disklamer]

Go even slower, and ease in and back off every other rotation. Or you're peeling molten plastic off your bits, and believe you me, that is not a pleasant process.

[@onjofilms]

What happened at .43? It actually stopped for a second. Is that a cheap Chinese driver module running that drillpress?

[@bodshal]

The Nova Voyager does that now and then at low RPM, it overshoots the power slightly for whatever reason and then undershoots to compensate. Makes no practical difference in application in my experience.

[@philipcatuogno2968]

Damn! You've got zoom-eyes. I didn't catch that.

[@samwolf8151]

I wish you made this months ago. I had to drill many holes in wax impregnated hard wood. The wax would gunk up my bits.

[@katzmosestools]

Try the blade and bit cleaner we have in our store. Works so good for cleaning bits

[@TheWt6012]

But my forstner bit has been stopping at slow rpm when it touches the material...

[@katzmosestools]

You need to feed slower

[@barryomahony4983]

Loose belt

[@katzmosestools]

@@barryomahony4983 yeah definitely check that too

[@TheWt6012]

@@katzmosestools sure

[@TheWt6012]

@@barryomahony4983 Alright

[@WalterRiggs]

I just run all my forstners as the press’ slowest speed. If I’m in a hurry I’ll just go buy what I’m building from Target or something

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

You doing alright, buddy?

[@nrengle]

Why'd ya say router bits at the end?

[@katzmosestools]

Freudian slip

[@velcroman11]

Most people think that the faster you run a drill bit is good, WRONG!!! Even with metal twist drills the drill should never run at more than 500 and that is probably too fast. You must give the bit time to bite into the material. Run faster burns the bit, wood or metal. Go fast press hard, that is if you want to start a fire to cook dinner.

[@tielkgate]

Your Hand Is Not A Hammer - protect those hands - some of us are terribly aware of hands that don't work correctly

[@chriswitek9455]

bunch of different ways to use router bits ey

[@anonymous_friend]

You're coming really close to losing a finger bro 😮

[@freds4703]

A little too much holding things by hand. I clamp before I drill. Already am missing the tip of one finger.

[@drukilkelly8599]

adjusting speed with the machine off...? as you say, not as you do.

[@katzmosestools]

Clearly you've never heard of the Nova drill press

[@drukilkelly8599]

@@katzmosestools ooh la la! color me enlightened green!