CMT Forstner Bit - 1/4" Diameter, 3/8" Shank by CMT is a precision boring tool engineered for drilling clean, flat-bottom holes in softwood. Whether you are installing hinges, setting shelf pins, or creating arched and oval openings at any angle, this right-hand rotation bit delivers accurate, repeatable results in both drill press and handheld drill applications. The 1/4" cutting diameter and compact 3/8x30mm shank make it an ideal choice for tight-clearance work and smaller hardware installations where precision matters most.

Key Features

• Precision-Balanced Centre Point - keeps the bit accurately centered during plunge entry so every hole starts exactly where intended, eliminating wander and reducing the need for layout corrections.
• 2 Precision-Ground Spurs (V2) - score the wood fiber ahead of the main cutting edges, producing clean bore walls with minimal tear-out for professional-quality results in softwood.
• Super Strength (SP) Steel Construction - provides durability and edge retention through repeated use, maintaining cutting accuracy over the life of the bit.
• Standard Rim Design - offers superior guidance at the 1/4" diameter, keeping the bit on a true path and delivering consistent flat-bottom hole geometry across every bore.
• Right-Hand (RH) Rotation - compatible with standard drill presses and handheld drills, making this bit straightforward to use with common workshop equipment.
• Total Length of 3-35/64" (90mm) - provides enough reach for typical hinge and hardware installations while remaining manageable in a drill press chuck.
• 2 Cutting Edges (Z2) - work in tandem with the spurs to remove material efficiently, producing a smooth, flat hole bottom ideal for hardware seating.

Why This Product

• The precision-balanced centre point and 2 ground spurs work together to produce flat-bottom holes with clean walls - exactly what is needed for hinge installation and shelf pin hardware where a sloppy bore causes loose, unreliable fits.
• The standard rim design at this small diameter provides better lateral guidance than a toothed rim would at 1/4", keeping the cut true without the overheating concern that affects larger diameter Forstner bits - CMT addresses that issue on sizes 25mm and above with toothed rims instead.
• Super Strength SP steel construction means the cutting edges hold up through repeated drilling in softwood without dulling quickly, reducing downtime and sharpening frequency on production cabinet and millwork tasks.
• The 3/8x30mm shank fits standard drill press chucks and handheld drills, so no adapter or special tooling is required to put this bit to work immediately on hinge boring, hardware fitting, and arched opening layout tasks.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 537.064.31
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Product Type: Forstner Bit
• Diameter: 1/4"
• Total Length: 3-35/64" (90mm)
• Shank: 3/8x30mm
• Number of Spurs: 2 (V2)
• Number of Cutting Edges: 2
• Rim Type: Standard Rim
• Blade Material: Super Strength (SP) Steel
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)

Approved Applications

• Drilling flat-bottom holes for hinge installation
• Boring holes for shelf pins and cabinet hardware
• Creating arched openings at any angle
• Creating oval openings at any angle
• Installing cabinet and furniture hardware