The primary purpose of a Forstner bit is to create clean, flat bottom holes on a piece of wood. It can also be used for drilling overlapping openings, large diameter holes, and angled holes. These bits are also useful in cutting through wood veneers cleanly.

Why would you use a Forstner drill bit?

Forstner bits drill a flat-bottomed hole, making them a necessary tool for many hardware installations where a precise depth of mortise is required. ... Because of that, they can be used along with a drill press to drill angled holes, holes that partially overlap, and holes on the edge of the material.

Are Forstner bits better than spade bits?

Spade Bits vs Forstner Bits

Spade bits are much messier than Forstner bits, which drill very clean, neat holes. ... Spade bits bore holes much more quickly than Forstner bits, though, making them better suited to jobs where a lot of holes need to be bored in a short space of time, and where neatness is not an issue.