The 12 Best 1.25 Forstner Bits (2023 reviews)

The portercable 1.25 forstner bit has good features for the price point. The main cutters really need to be worked with a file to get a nice smooth edge. It makes good holes, doesn't dull easily, and has a very nice range of sizes. The cutting edges of the name brand bits are also rough with burrs. It is a nice set of forstner bits in a basic, functional case. They go through 3/4 inch plywood like butter. The size range is outstanding. It will hold up well for the hobbyist.

Why We Like This:

Good quality turn slowly & take good care they will last a long time
Awesome performance, cuts extremely fast but leaves very smooth
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For hardwood: Irwin 1.25 Forstner Bit

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The irwin 1.25 forstner bit is specially designed for your regular usage and has all useful features. It features an optimized ultra-sharp knife edge design specifically engineered to cut through hard and soft woods smoothly and efficiently. The bit is used to drill holes in railings for metal spokes. It drills a perfectly round hole easily and quickly in oak without any burning. The tool is sharp however you should use a drill press and vice or similar means of holding the tool and the media securely while cutting hard woods. The entry is clean even when drilling into the side of a round spindle.

This does a nice job as it doesn't grab and tear as a regular drill bit would when drilling a hole of this size into PVC. It has a very clean entry, and the center point spur is long enough for hand drill operation with no drifting.

Why We Like This:

9.5mm diameter perfect for oem subaru sti front splitter/side diffuser installation
Delivers what they promise

Best For money: Irwin tools 1.25 Forstner Bit

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention irwin tools 1.25 forstner bit for daily usage. A forstner bit can be used to make a door knob hole, but this kit only goes up to. It is nice to have a complete set of bits which function well. It is great with a hand drill. The case is a nice tough and durable way to store them.

They work great for drilling holes for pulling wire through wall studs. The Fenton finish is a great deal of Burrs needs a little bit of sharpening. It is fast, it cuts accurately and cleanly.

Why We Like This:

Great for putting holes in things
Durable and they cut the wood with no problem
Good investment for long term

Best For home shop Use: INTOO 1.25 Forstner Bit

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If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory bit, intoo 1.25 forstner bit is your end point. These bits drill 45 degree counterbore holes into pine wood without straying from the centerline. They heat up very fast. The case holds the bits and keeps them organized. Drilling into a solid block of cherry and this cuts very clean on a drill press. It has 16 pieces and they are multisided shanks. The case is very high quality and holds all the bits securely. They're sharp, balanced pretty well and cut through wood like butter.

Why We Like This:

Very sharp, well made, nice assortment of sizes
Sharp and makes clean edges and flat bottom
Bits are made to last, and accurate
Works well and comes in a nice case

Best For aluminum: Steelex 1.25 Forstner Bit

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate bit. The steelex 1.25 forstner bit is exactly that - it's a simple bit that hits all the right notes. This bit is perfect for several projects requiring this size hole. It is used to core out holes in birch tree branches to make planters out of them. It is great for cutting openings for tea lights. This means slow and very careful progress as you cut through hardwoods.

This is a very well made, accurate cutting bit. It can be used in drill press and works well for a clean installation. The edges are clean, but it doesn't want to drill with any ease. It is built to last and like the little box it comes with it.

Why We Like This:

Definitely does pay to let the bit cool after a few holes
Sharp enough to drill more holes
Good investment for long term

Best For pocket holes: Kowood 1.25 Forstner Bit

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Best part: kowood 1.25 forstner bit costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. These are heavy duty and work great. They can be chucked up with your standard jacobs with a little care. There is a raised cutting edge on the outer-most of the bit that scores the wood before the main cutting edge hogs the wood out, so it leaves a nice sharp, clean hole. It can pass chips up and out to the surface of the piece being drilled, so it doesn't need to lift the bit out of the bore.

They will work with a regular hand drill also. It comes in a nice case to keep them clean and dry from moisture. It is warranted against defective parts only and not from misuse or deterioration of the product through normal use, wear, or tear within the half year.

Why We Like This:

Decent quality, reasonably sharp out of the box and even the case was nice
A nice wide range of bits
New and hot release

Best For large dowels: Freud 1.25 Forstner Bit

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The freud 1.25 forstner bit is suitable and reliable and fits well with your regular usage. It is great for large dowels. It cuts perfectly with no runout, and the smooth cutting edges leave a smooth edge on the workpiece. It is used for cleaning out 1 1/4 in by 3 in hole in both sides of 1 3/4 in by 1 3/4 in by 5 in block of wood (hardwood) [golf ball in block of wood] for a friend that enjoys golfing. The serrated edge is sharp and helps to clear the chips.

As others have stated, this is perfect for boring sockets for large dowels in projects. It does a good job pulling shavings out of the bore hole on bit extraction. The scalloped edges are a great design to smooth the sides of the cut while keeping heat at a minimum.

Why We Like This:

Keep bits from hitting each other and keeps them clean
Clean boring with good chip removal
Drill holes in side of suit case to hold plywood

Best For mill: Basynol 1.25 Forstner Bit

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Not everyone likes to purchase bit for their regular usage, but the basynol 1.25 forstner bit would be an anomoly. This product is a heavy duty bit. It is designed to make precise holes that have flat bottoms (except for the small pilot point in the center) smooth sides and a clean entry cut with limited splintering in any type of wood. The bits do not splinter the outer layer of cabinet grade plywood. It is soft on the wood and only removes material when it is absolutely necessary.

The bit is solid and sharp. It can be used for tree stump removal. The cut is really smooth. It is perfect bit for drilling holes for birch holiday candles. It comes with a durable storage case.

Why We Like This:

Cuts through thin metal and wood
Worked great and stayed sharp all the way through the 100 plus holes
Good brand reputation

Best For metal: BAIDETS 1.25 Forstner Bit

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Next on the list, we've got yet another bit that manages to win our hearts. It's the baidets 1.25 forstner bit and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient bit you can buy. This drill to make hummingbird houses houses is perfect for drilling holes for tea candles. It takes 4x longer to drill the same hole in the same wood. Baidets makes premium quality, professional tools, and superior service that wish to make your life more convenient and better. It eats through wood like melted butter. The bits are very precise and sharp. It is an awesome bit for drill press and woodworking. The design is unique and aggressive.

Why We Like This:

Ideal bit for boring into wood
Makes a perfect hole attached to a drill
Good brand reputation

Best For stationary machines: Bosch 1.25 Forstner Bit

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Not everyone likes to purchase bit for their daily usage, but the bosch 1.25 forstner bit would be an anomoly. High-quality BOSCH Forstner bits provide an exceptional finish for even the most meticulous professional. It is ideal for finish work, furniture building, and cabinetry. It provides a complete line of corded and cordless power tools and accessories engineered to survive any jobsite and allow professionals to take control of their work.

It is designed for perfectly smooth-flat bottomed holes. It comes with maximum precision drilling ideal for fine woodworking, and the bits are also well suited for off-center or angled hole drilling. It is ideal for drilling decorative holes for fine woodworking and hinge boring. Chrome-steel alloy construction allows the bits to withstand high temperatures during drilling, reducing the risk of burning.

Why We Like This:

Bore high-quality holes that are accurately sized
Bore holes with a cleanly cut rim
Good investment for long term

Best For large Bits: Fisch 1.25 Forstner Bit

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The fisch 1.25 forstner bit gives the top-tier bit a run for their money by offering flagship specs at a much more affordable price. Bits are VERY SHARP. It is designed with Fisch’s patented wave cutter technology, and it drills faster than most of the competition while using less power, without any clogging. These cut through plywood like butter and leave a clean exit edge even if you can't do the old standard of half the cut from each side. They leave a very clean hole with little or no breakout on the back side when used in a drill press.

The Bits come packaged very well in a nice wooden box (no rust on any of them) and are VERY SHARP. It is suitable for hard and softwood, veneered chip board, laminates as well as mdf plates.

The Fisch cut is also smoother and has almost no tear out on the back side when used in a drill press.

Why We Like This:

Runs cool and leaves a very crisp rim around the hole
Good clean cuts on hard & soft woods
Performance, multifunctional forstner drill bit that can be used for many different applications
Super sharp, great assortment, cuts very cleanly

Best For Drilling In soft or Hard Wood: Nc 1.25 Forstner Bit

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Nc has been making great bit for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. It is ideal for drilling in soft or hard wood veneered wood and non-laminated chipboard, so fast it's a tool to get pleasure at work. The tooth-shaped design of this high-speed steel forstner bit ensures less friction and heat, it cuts accurately clean, smooth holes. It reduces runout for more precise holes. It allows precise positioning without slipping, which makes drilling more easy.

Why We Like This: