Customer Reviews

MLCS 9245 3-Inch Diameter High Quality Steel Forstner Bit

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good quality, heavy duty drill bit. I cut 4 inch diameter logs into 8 inch lengths and used this bit to hollow out the inside - creating rustic beer mugs - and it worked great. A couple of things though:

1. You have to use a drill press. In addition, if you have a small, bench mount press, this bit is too big. You need a floor model with plenty of power.

2. This bit is designed to work like a wood plane. Use low speed, high torque.

3. If you are drilling through a lot of wood (like in my case), use smaller bits and a wood chisel to knock out most of the material, then use this bit to finish. If you try to use this bit only, it will take forever.

4. If you are drilling through a lot of wood, this bit will get very hot.

I've seen other bits like this go for over $100. Considering that this bit won't see too much more use, it is an excellent value.

I've only had this for a week, but during that time I've used it to drill a number of holes in a variety of woods...some for real use and some just for fun. That certainly isn't long enough to comment about the long-term durability of this bit, but it is still extremely sharp and cutting smoothly.

As mentioned in the write-up, this bit is designed to be used in a drill press. It's over 6" long, and, at 3" in diameter, is simply too large and heavy to be controlled in a hand drill...there's an awful lot of rotary momentum when it's spinning. (Plus it's too easy to spin it too fast in a hand drill.)

If you need a number of large bits, you should consider the MLCS set Forstner Bit Set 8 Piece in Wooden Box. It's obviously more expensive than purchasing a single bit, but also comes with a nice storage box. (And you know that you'll eventually need all those other sizes...)

I needed a bit larger than the 2-1/2" that came with my Forstner bit set so opted for this 3" item.
It was Amazon-simple to purchase (as usual), arrived in a few days using normal ground shipping and was exactly what I had ordered and well packed. The bit is of heavy construction to handle the loads of cutting such a large hole. The edges were sharp enough to use, as delivered, without any retouching being needed.
I rate it four stars simply because it is my philosophy never to give anything a perfect grade since this rules out any further improvement and there is nothing under the sun that can't be improved somehow.
ROC, Hot Springs Village, AR