Fast & Easy Forstner Bit Sharpening! 

This is so timely! I'm about to start building a collection of forstner bits, and this info will definitely help me keep them sharp and happy!

Thank you James!! Going through my shop today and discarding old stuff and came across a dozen "old" bits that need sharpening and rust removal...this was the perfect video...awesome

Another excellent video, James. I think you hit all the key points - good job, my friend. JB

Thank you James for all your informative vids. I have now subscribed and rung your little bell. Keep up the good work and giving us demos on woodworking which demonstrates your immense knowledge. wishing you all the best. John in Australia.

Fantastic episode, keep showing us how to manage are tools so we don't have to keep buying new ones 👍👍👍

I bought a big set of Forstner bits at Harbor Freight about 10 years ago. Not sure how much they cost but they have stayed sharp and I use them frequently. I may look into buying some better bits but these have worked well for me and cut a nice, clean hole.

Lots of eyes on these fine videos. The world of woodworking positively changes with JH as catalyst.

I rely on your videos a lot and they've really helped me out,thanks for the awesome video.

Stumpy, fantastic the explanation, I am of very to the south of the world and this type of tools they are not here, it is lamentable but equal it is satisfactory to know, that they can be out of my country, a great greeting and happy anticipated navidad, from Valdivia Chile.;)

Thank you so very much for your video about how to sharpen forstner bits. I heard you can, but didn't know until now. I found a good cheaper set on Amazon and the reviews are up and down with quality and sharpness so I took a chance on them. I received them today and I feel pretty good about picking them since they have the hex shank, so no slippage. They work pretty good from what I can see holding steady with my hand drill. Some reviews say once they sharpened theirs, they were fantastic and cut like butter. Others have said they dulled quickly, but I don't know if they sharpened theirs or if they let their bits overheat. I think I'd rather have a cheaper set to gain the experience, and then upgrade later on when I build more things. Now that you have taught me what to do and what to look for, these bits do need a nice sharpening under closer inspection. I took some pictures before and after using a few and they still seem to look ok. I bet they will cut even better after a light sharpening. I don't want to take the plunge and buy a really expensive set just yet since I am just a hobbyist, but part of me wonders if buying a higher quality set will save me in the long run. I don't have a drill press yet (next on my list), but these work pretty well with holding a steady hand drill. I think I'll get the sharpening set you linked us to. I'd hate to send these bits back knowing they only needed a good sharpening if these just mass produced. This set seems to be a good beginner set. Thank you for taking the time to show us how to sharpen them and what to do. I bought the Intoo 16pc set on Amazon for about $45 after my discount. Each bit has the hex shank and they seem to be quite sturdy.

Just purchased the kit you referred to. Also the cleaner. I can't wait to sharpen my stuff. Thanks for the pointers

Thanks James, it's cold and crappy here in Ohio and as I was watching the video the wife came out to the shop wearing one of those snuggy potato sack things and I found myself suddenly in the mood for fondling my forstner's, I love my wife but man those things are a mood killer! Thanks for the video.... really...Thanks.

Thank you for this information. It's really good to know. I'm new to ww and have wondered how to sharpen these. Kick ass video!

Thanks for the sharpening tips I have some forstner bits that need sharpened. I didn't want to mess him up they're way too expensive message.

Just subscribed. I thought I'd already subscribed, but realized I'd forgotten until this video was just served up.

First-class cutters!

Thanks for the video tips!

Thanks for the video. Just bought a set from harbor freight and they're dull and cutting oblong holes. Figure they need sharpening.

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense.

Hi James, I need to get a new set of forstner bits. I wonder if you have tried the carbide-tipped forstners from the German company Famag, they are expensive but I'd like to see a review by someone like yourself. I like your site and you were the first YT site I subscribed to!

Just what I needed today, thank you

Good demo. What size was the taper file you used? 3” or 6”? Thanks.

Thank you!

Update: About a month ago, I purchased some Diablo forstner bits from HD. I think they are made by Freud. And they are sharp and stay that way. I tested a one and a half inch diameter bit (pretty large) and I even chucked it into a cheapo battery powered hand drill. I put in on low speed and drilled about 10 holes in construction lumber to start off some mortises. Works great and very affordable.

On your first example yes it can be sharpened the teeth only then the flat cutting edge

appreciate you.

Why did you allow the tapered file to rotate axially off the face plane on the face of the peripheral teeth? Shouldn't you have maintained the same plane as the face for every stroke?

Thank you for this! I have a cheap set of Forstners and am ready to make the plunge to a good set and wanted to know how. Question for you. Where did you get your tapered Dimond file?

YOu always need to take care of your bits!

Can you sharpen space bits this way

Nice 👍🖖

Can a standard non Diamond file be used? TIA

I'm trying to drill 1" holes in hard maple end grain with a relatively new stagger tooth forstner bit. It is going horribly slowly. I don't have the sharpening kit you showed in the video, but I do have some fine files. Should I sharpen the bit with those?

So that’s a rim job! I never understood the saying...

On the round edge you do not touch it as you will change the configuration. You only sharpen the flat long surface surface if the cutting edge only.

"Happy Forstnering"... lol.

As a master sharpener everything you said was correct. If they are overly dull still count your strokes on each toot 5-10-15 what every and you9 will kieep them even or vary close. Just my hupbled opinion

May the forstner be with you

So, what aboat thrashed bits? I had a retired plumber neighbor who gave me a tote full of forstner bits that look like he drilled through a hammer factory to hang some turd tunnels. I'm just gonna have to file the crap out of them, I think.

Anyone try sharpening the harbor freight Forstner bit's ? I know they come pretty dull but can they be Improved? I wish I could buy a decent set but we're talking $60 plus .

Dumb question: But should you sharpen newly bought store drill bits?

RALLY?!!!! $107 for that little sharpening kit.

Use a vice my man

I wish you had talked about how precise you need to be with keeping the proper angle. Based upon the lack of you mentioning it, it seems to be not important but that doesn't seem right. Many of my tools become dull because I never think that it's so simple as running a diamond file over it. If it is, then explicitly saying so would set amateur minds like mine at ease.

154th!!!!!

Reviews on Amazon are less than positive

Ugh more sharpening to do lol

i prefer buying new bits then spending money on this way way way expensive sharpening kit

I haven't even bought a forstner bit, but I like this video!

That forstner bit you’re holding in the thumbnail, i bought the same except for the brand name. I hate it. Took me 2min to drill a 2mm deep hole. Waste of money.

You don’t

instead, buy good and well made u.s. tools instead of imported junk, and less advertising it.