When used in wood, Forstner Bit’s and other Large Hole Cutting Bit’s should not be run at excessively high speed.
Forstner Bit Lathe Speeds in Hardwood Table In Text Format
The Table below gives the recommended speeds for use in Hardwood.
| Diameter of Bit (mm) | Diameter of Bit (inches) | Lathe Speed (RPM/min-1) |
| 25 | 1 | 500 |
| 30 | 1¼ | 450 |
| 35 | 13/8 | 400 |
| 40 | 1½ | 350 |
| 45 | 1¾ | 300 |
| 50 | 2 | 250 |
| 55 | 2¼ | 240 |
| 60 | 23/8 | 230 |
| 65 | 2½ | 210 |
| 70 | 2¾ | 190 |
| 75 | 3 | 175 |
| 80 | 3¼ | 160 |
| 85 | 33/8 | 145 |
| 90 | 3½ | 130 |
| 95 | 3¾ | 115 |
| 100 | 4 | 100 |
As stated these are only the recommended speeds to use.
If you have a typical 4 or 5 speed Lathe you will not be able to match every increment, where as with a Variable Speed Lathe you will have the ability to do so.
I would always use the nearest Lowest Speed of the Lathe applicable to the Size of Bit above.
Forstner Bit Lathe Speeds in Hardwood Table In Image Format
The Following is the same table as above but in image format.
