Review: Fisch Wave Cutter Forstner Bit

James Hamilton from Stumping Up's Woodworking Journal explains the benefits of using Forstner bits for woodworking projects. These bits are designed to cut clean, flat-bottom holes, whether it's at 90 degrees or an angle, or even overlapping holes or holes that hang off the edge of a workpiece. These tasks come in handy as your woodworking projects become more advanced.

However, there are a lot of different types of Forstner bits on the market and the differences go beyond just what they look like. The biggest difference is that you're likely to see an Forstner bits are found in the guide rim, this outer part of the bit. The rim is what severs the fibers around the holes perimeter, it guides the bit at the beginning of the cut, which prevents it from skipping and walking across the top of the material, and it controls the accuracy and the repeatability of the hole size. So this is a critical feature.

There are a lot of different rim designs but if you go into your local hardware store or Home Center you're likely to find three major types: Sawtooth rims, continuous or knife edge rims, and wavy rims. Sawtooth rims Forstner bits are also sometimes called Multi spur bits, the teeth work much like the ones on your table saw blade. They cut into the fibers around the perimeter of the hole while the main cutters shave the wood up from the bottom of the hole. Continuous rim bits get their name from their solid knife-like rims, and Wavy rim bits are designed as a compromise between sawtooth and continuous rim bits. James suggest that when buying Forstner bits, you should choose the best quality you can afford and not just go out and buy the cheapest ones you can find. Cheap bits are poorly sharpened, they wear out quickly, the holes will be inconsistent in size, and cut quality.

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Fisch FSA-309031 1-Inch Diameter by 3/8-Inch Wave Cutter Forstner Bit