Thread: Forstner bit in hand drill?

If you're meaning a hand-held electric drill, yes by all means. I use bits up to 25mm in mine. Usually a 3mm pilot hole. All the same, I find it hard to get a straight hole, square to the wood (like for wooden peg/dowel glue-ups.) I only have a little 8"/200mm Delta table-top drill press so must deal with big wood some other way!

I have used a 1 1/2 inch forstner bit in a hand drill to rough out the mortice for a hand rail into a support post before. The only problem was that it was hard hardwood and the bit went blunt pretty quickly

Have used 35mm for hinges in cordless drill.

I have and at a lower speed. But the speed is respective to how you feel when drilling.

What I find to be the main difference between drill press and hand held is being able to clean out the shavings.

I've used bits up to 22mm in my Triton drill. It has a plunge mechanism which helps keep the hole straight. Small pilot hole first.

You can also get forstner bits that work in a hand brace. A very good way to make a clean start to a hole. Mine go up to 1 1/4" diameter.

Thanks everyone, put the Forstner bit in the cordless drill on low speed - that certainly did the job, but needed a bit of downward pressure.