Colt & Riss Tools Forstner Bit - 1-1/2" MaxiCut Forged Steel Drill Bit with Self-Cutting Centering Point & RotaStop Shank System - 10800124

I am a professional woodworker. Several of the items that I make rely on my drilling accurate, clean holes in the wood using both my wood lathe and drill press. I have tried a number of forstner-type bits over the years but, until I started using the Colt MaxiCut bits, I was not satisfied with the results. These bits cut through end grain as if it was butter. The sides of the holes are smooth. The top, where the bit enters the hole, is clean. The bits do not heat up when I use them, as I do not have to use much pressure to cut through the wood. Colt MaxiCut bits rate a 5/5 on my rating scale (the other brands of top-line ones that I have would rate a 3/5 on my rating scale). Colt MaxiCut bits are excellent bits!

If you are a woodworker who has not tried COLT Forstner bits, then do yourself a favor... Try at least ONE. It's like a "gateway" tool. Once you see how well it bores through wood, you WILL buy more.These drill through end-grain faster and cleaner than any other bit I've used in my fifty years of woodworking. Want to see one in action? Just search YouTube for Colt MaxiCut Forstner. If you have ever used any other Forstner bits, you will understand.

This is far and away the best forstner bit I've ever used. It cuts cleanly without burning, even with a handheld drill (on slower speed of course). It did not wander. The edges of the hole were smooth. The bottom was smooth. Sure it costs more than Irwin or Freud Diablo or whatever you can get from the big box places, but to me it was worth not ruining my work to save a couple bucks.

Cuts very well, just be careful to set your drill speed correctly. I did not (unwittingly ran it at 2000 rpm instead of the correct 250-500 rpm) and over the course of 50 holes burned up my old one. Despite the higher price tag than generics, I'm happily replacing it because it works that much better.

The MaxiCut drills a clean hole and doesn't heat up, regardless of the drilling conditions. I don't have a full set of MaxiCut drills, just the sizes that I use often. If you have a repeating problem situation with certain drill sizes, spending more to get MaxiCut drills will certainly make your life easier.

I can't believe how good these cut compared to other forstner bits. They cut fast, cleanly, don't smoke when drilling end grain, and don't get hot. The chip breakers really do the job and helps from getting chip build-up.The RotaStop extensions and morse taper adapters work great in the lathe.

I was happy to find this bit with the specialty size--not carried in home improvement centers. It cut through 1x4s and 2x4s with ease whether it was in a drill press or hand drill. The cuts were clean and with a back support on exit there was no tear out. It made 70 holes on wooden clothes racks for clothing store and the bit is still going strong and sharp. I have a hand-me down forstner bit set but the Colt performed above my expectations.

Excellent Forstner bit for my needs. Much better than the Chinese imported bits I've tried in the past. Just wish I could afford a whole set !Now, I have purchased 4 or 5 of these and their all the same and they all work great so I'm not going to rate each one individually. O.K. ?