Forstner Drill Bit 35mm (1.4″)

The Forstner Drill Bit 35mm from Hardware Heaven is a professional-grade tool built for woodworkers and cabinet makers in Victoria, Australia who need clean, precise holes. Here is what makes it stand out:

• Designed as a 35mm Forstner bit for wood drilling — works on hardwood, softwood, MDF, plywood, and chipboard
• Carbide tipped Forstner bit 35mm construction for longer life and sharper cuts
• Drills a perfectly flat bottom hole — ideal for hinge cups, shelf pins, and furniture fittings
• Metric sizing (35mm) matches standard European cabinet hardware exactly
• Available individually — no need to buy a full set if you only need one size
• Suitable for use with a power drill or drill press

What Can You Use a 35mm Forstner Drill Bit For?

The 35mm Forstner drill bit has many practical uses in woodworking and furniture assembly. Here are four of the most common applications:

• Cabinet Hinge Holes — The most popular use. This bit acts as a 35mm hinge boring drill bit to cut the round cup needed for European-style hinges on kitchen and bedroom cabinet doors.
• Flat-Bottom Pocket Holes — As a flat bottom wood drill bit 35mm, it creates smooth, level recesses for bolts, dowels, and shelf hardware where a standard twist drill would leave a pointed tip.
• Furniture & Joinery Work — Works perfectly for cutting clean holes in flat-pack furniture panels, timber boards, and custom cabinetry builds across Victorian homes and workshops.
• Overlapping & Angled Holes — Unlike standard drill bits, the rim-guided edge of this bit lets you drill overlapping holes or start holes on an angled surface without the bit slipping off course.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Forstner Drill Bit?

Choosing a Forstner drill bit over a standard twist bit gives you better results — especially for woodworking tasks that need precision. Here are five key benefits:

• Clean, Splinter-Free Holes — The serrated outer rim cuts through wood fibres cleanly, leaving smooth edges with little to no tearing or splintering around the hole.
• Perfectly Flat Bottoms — Unlike twist bits that leave a pointed tip at the base, Forstner bits create a flat, level floor — essential for fitting hinges, dowels, and hardware flush.
• Drills in Any Direction — The rim-guided design lets you drill at an angle, near edges, or even into overlapping holes — something most other drill bit types cannot do.
• Works on Many Wood Types — Whether you are working with hardwood, softwood, plywood, or MDF, the 35mm cabinet hinge hole cutter handles all of them with consistent results.
• Long-Lasting Sharpness — The carbide-tipped cutting edge stays sharper for longer than standard high-speed steel bits, meaning fewer replacements and more value over time.

Product Features

Here is a quick look at the key features that make this bit a reliable choice for woodworking tasks:

• Quality tungsten carbide tipped Forstner bits to produce flat bottom holes of various diameters — the carbide tip stays sharp through heavy use and tough wood types.
• Available in metric sizes — the 35mm diameter matches the exact size needed for standard European cabinet hinges used widely in Australian kitchens and furniture.
• Rim-guided cutting edge — the outer rim controls the direction of the cut, allowing you to drill cleanly near edges, at angles, or in overlapping positions without slipping.
• Centre spur for accurate positioning — the sharp centre point anchors the bit precisely on your mark before the rim begins cutting, reducing misalignment and wasted timber.
• Smooth flat-bottomed finish — produces a clean, level hole floor suitable for gluing dowels, fitting shelf pins, or mounting hinge cups flush with the timber surface.
• Compatible with power drills and drill presses — works with standard drill chucks and drill press setups, giving you flexibility whether you are on-site or in the workshop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a 35mm Forstner bit?

A 35mm Forstner bit is a round drill bit with a flat cutting face and an outer rim that guides the cut. It drills a clean, flat-bottomed hole exactly 35 millimetres wide. This size is the standard for European-style cabinet hinges used in kitchens and furniture across Australia.

2. What is a Forstner drill bit used for?

A Forstner drill bit is used to cut smooth, flat-bottomed holes in wood. It is most commonly used for fitting cabinet hinges, drilling shelf pin holes, making pocket recesses for bolts, and creating dowel holes in furniture. It works well in hardwood, softwood, MDF, and plywood.

3. Can I use a Forstner bit in a regular drill?

Yes, you can use a Forstner bit in a regular handheld power drill. For best results and more control, a drill press is recommended — especially for larger diameters like 35mm. When using a hand drill, keep the speed steady and apply firm, even pressure to get a clean, accurate hole.

4. Can you drill a through hole with a Forstner bit?

A: Yes, you can drill a through hole with a Forstner bit, but it is more commonly used for blind holes — holes that do not go all the way through. If you do need a full through hole, place a scrap piece of timber underneath to prevent splintering on the exit side.

5. What is the difference between a brad point bit and a Forstner bit?

A brad point bit has a sharp centre tip and two side spurs — it is fast and accurate for standard through-holes in wood. A Forstner bit has a wider, rim-guided cutting edge that produces a flat-bottomed hole. Forstner bits are better for hinge cups, overlapping holes, and angled drilling where a brad point would slip or leave a rough edge.

6. Why are they called Forstner bits?

They are named after Benjamin Forstner, the American gunsmith who invented them in 1874. He created the design to drill flat-bottomed holes in gun stocks. The rim-guided cutting method he developed was so effective that it became a standard tool in woodworking worldwide — and the name has stayed ever since.