I did a comparison of 5 Forstner brands chosen based on information found here at the FOG as well as the internet and also one that I had in my tool kit. They are the Festool Forstner Bits (Centrotec System), the FAMAG Super Premium Carbide Tipped Bormax 3, The FAMAG Premium Bormax, the Colt Maxicut Forstner bits and a Freud Forstner bit that I have had for some years. I compared these bits drilling freehand partial holes in oak flooring (I had a couple of extra pieces of flooring too small to reuse which is why I used them for this test). The drill I used was the Festool T18+3. Let me say that all the bits are good for free hand drilling and if you own a full set of any, there is probably no need to change unless you are seeking out the absolute best made forstner bits.
I feel the Super Premium FAMAG Bormax 3’s were the best bits with the smoothest holes. They drill fast and stay cool. They are also the most expensive by far. If you have the money, these are the bits you want. Second place was close between the Festool and the FAMAG Bormax. Both made very smooth accurate holes. I love that the Festool bits work with the Centrotec System, but they only make a set of 5 and are metric. If you need to make larger holes than 35 MM, and if you would like Imperial sizes, you will want the BORMAX. I believe they are similarly priced. So that is my top 3 with 2 and 3 being tied, the edge going to Festool if you want Centrotec bits and the edge going to the Bormax bits if you need larger and Imperial sizes. If forced to choose between the two on an absolute basis, I would put the Festool bits in second and the Bormax bits in third.
While my Freud bit (it was only 1 inch) made holes just as good as the Colt Maxicut, the Colts cut the fastest holes of any of the bits and for that reason I placed them in the 4th position ahead of the Freud. The Freud was still excellent though. The Maxicut bits also have extensions that do not need to be screwed together which is great when having to get out of a jam by drilling a hole up behind a wall in order to run pipes. They are awfully tight though, so please make sure you drop a touch of oil in the extensions or you will not get them apart.
The standout to me was that the Super Premium FAMAG Bormax 3’s were noticeably better than the rest. They drill fast, are precise and make extremely smooth holes. And since they are carbide tipped they should last and last. The other surprise to me was just how good the Festool Forstner bits are. Other than the Bormax 3’s, they made the best holes. An interesting aside is that looking at the bits the best finished bits are the Festool and the Super Premium Bormax 3’s. The other bits are not finished to that same standard, and these are the bits that took 1st and second in cutting ability. In summary, my order of finish is below:
1.- FAMAG Super Premium Bormax 3 Carbide-Tipped
2.- FESTOOL Centrotec Forstner Bits
3.- FAMAG Premium Bormax Bits - Tied with the Festool
4.- Colt Maxicut Forstner Bits
5.- Freud ( probably the best buy)
I hope this was of some interest and value to you all. Thank you.
