The Freud 1-1/4" (Dia.) Forstner Bit is a precision-engineered carbide boring tool built for woodworkers and tradespeople who demand cleaner cuts, longer tool life, and reliable hole accuracy across a wide range of materials. Designed for use in a drill press or hand held drill, this 3-1/2" long bit cuts flat bottom holes, pocket holes, angled holes, and overlapping holes in hardwoods, softwoods, veneered plywood, composites, and solid surface materials - without the burning and dulling that plague standard high speed steel Forstner bits. Made by Freud and backed by a Limited Lifetime Guarantee, this carbide Forstner bit delivers professional-grade performance for furniture making, cabinetry, and fine woodworking applications.

Key Features

• Thick micro-grain carbide/titanium tips ensure cleaner cuts and long lasting sharpness - so the bit stays cutting-ready far longer than standard HSS Forstner bits, reducing replacement costs and downtime.
• Sharp center locating spur accurately locates the center of your hole - delivering precise, repeatable placement even when drilling pocket holes or overlapping holes where positioning is critical.
• Carbide construction resists heat buildup during drilling - unlike high speed steel alternatives, this bit will not burn the workpiece surface, preserving the finish quality of veneered plywood and solid surface materials.
• Right hand (RH) rotation - compatible with standard drill press and hand held drill chucks for straightforward setup without adapters.
• 3/8" shank - fits a wide range of drill press and hand held drill chuck sizes commonly used in woodworking shops.
• Can be resharpened by any reputable sharpening service that handles router bits - extending the usable life of the bit and maximizing the value of your investment.
• Freud Limited Lifetime Guarantee - provides long-term assurance for professional users relying on this bit day to day.

Why This Product

• Carbide tips stay sharp many times longer than standard high speed steel Forstner bits - making this bit the right choice for production environments or frequent use where consistent, clean hole quality matters across hardwoods, softwoods, and engineered materials.
• Drills flat bottom holes, pocket holes, angled holes, and overlapping holes - one bit handles the versatile boring tasks that come up repeatedly in cabinetmaking and furniture construction, reducing the need for multiple specialty tools.
• Works across composites, solid surface, veneered plywood, hardwoods, and softwoods - giving woodworkers confidence that a single bit will perform reliably on the variety of sheet goods and solid stock used in real projects.
• Resharpenable by router bit sharpening services - unlike disposable bits, this Freud carbide Forstner bit can be brought back to peak performance, lowering the long-term cost of ownership for professional shops.

Specifications

• Brand: Freud
• MPN: FC-009
• Category: Carbide Forstner Bits
• Diameter: 1-1/4"
• Length: 3-1/2"
• Shank: 3/8"
• Rotation: RH
• Compatible Tools: Drill Press; Hand Held Drill
• Compatible Materials: Composites; Solid Surface; Veneered Plywood; Hardwoods; Softwoods
• Pack Quantity: 1
• Country of Origin: Italy

Approved Applications

• Drilling flat bottom holes in hardwoods, softwoods, and engineered wood panels
• Cutting pocket holes for joinery and hardware installation
• Drilling overlapping holes for mortises, cutouts, and shaped openings
• Boring angled holes in solid wood and composite materials
• Drilling plywoods, hardwoods, and softwoods

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Forstner bit different from a standard high speed steel Forstner bit?

This Freud bit uses thick micro-grain carbide/titanium tips rather than standard high speed steel. Carbide tips maintain sharpness many times longer than HSS and resist heat buildup during drilling, meaning the bit will not burn the wood surface the way a standard Forstner bit can. This makes it especially well suited for finish-critical materials like veneered plywood and solid surface.

Can this bit be used in a hand held drill, or does it require a drill press?

This bit is designed for use in both a drill press and a hand held drill. The 3/8" shank fits standard chucks on both types of tools, giving you flexibility depending on your setup and the type of hole you are drilling.

What materials can this 1-1/4" carbide Forstner bit cut through?

This bit is rated for use in composites, solid surface, veneered plywood, hardwoods, and softwoods. It handles the full range of materials commonly encountered in cabinetmaking, furniture building, and general woodworking - including engineered sheet goods that can be hard on standard bits.

Can this bit be resharpened once it dulls?

Yes. This Freud carbide Forstner bit can be resharpened by any reputable sharpening service that handles router bits. Resharpening extends the usable life of the bit significantly, making it a more economical long-term choice compared to disposable HSS alternatives.