Drill bits are used in conjunction with hand drills or drill presses to make holes in woods, plastic and metals. A forstner bit is a particular type of drill bit that is often used in furniture making and other woodworking projects. They are usually more expensive than standard twist bits, but they have a few unique features that make them desirable.

Most drills are guided through the material by a central point, but forstner bits are primarily guided by the outside rim. This means that they can be used to drill pocket holes (holes drilled at an angle), partially overlapping holes or holes that are on the edge of the material. Note that the central spur in the bit pictured below is used to locate by demarcating the center-point as opposed to being the drill guide.

In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, forstner bits create square-bottomed holes which may be required for certain applications or projects. They are very efficient at removing large amounts (hogging) of material in short periods of time. Forstner bits are available in a wide array of diameters typically ranging from 1/4 inch up to over 3 inches (6 - 75mm). Like other drill bits, they are often sold in sets with an array of sizes.