Why you should trust this review
I am a finish carpenter who occasionally does light metalwork on brackets and mounts. For this review I purchased the Forster Tools 29-piece set at retail and used it as my primary twist drill set for five months across mild steel angle, aluminum sheet, and pine framing. No sample was provided.
Drill bits are the kind of tool where the brand name premium can be real or marketing depending on the use case. For occasional users, the math favors a budget set replaced more often.
How we tested the Forster set
- Drilled 150+ holes in 1/8 inch mild steel angle and aluminum sheet.
- Drilled 80+ pilot holes in framing lumber for lag screws.
- Measured tip diameter on the 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch bits at week 0 and month 5.
- Tested self-centering by drilling without a center punch on smooth steel.
- Compared cut speed against a DeWalt Pilot Point set under matched conditions. See methodology.
Who should buy the Forster set?
Buy it if you do occasional metalwork at home, need a complete kit for light fabrication, or want a backup set for the truck. Skip it if your daily work is heavy fabrication or if you regularly drill stainless. The cobalt sets earn their keep there.
Cutting speed: comparable on mild steel
A 1/4 inch hole through 1/8 inch mild steel took 6 seconds with the Forster bit at 800 RPM under cutting fluid. The same hole with the DeWalt Pilot Point took 5 seconds. The 1-second difference per hole is real but not enough to disqualify the budget set for occasional use.
Edge retention: 150 holes before noticeable wear
After 150 holes the 1/4 inch tip showed visible wear on the cutting lips under 10x magnification. Cutting speed dropped roughly 20 percent at that point. A quick touch-up on a Drill Doctor restored the bit. The DeWalt set in the same test went 250 holes before similar wear.
Self-centering: 135 split point works as advertised
The 135-degree split point self-centers on smooth steel without a center punch. Walk-off was less than 1/32 inch on every test hole.
Build quality
The bits are M2 HSS with a black oxide finish. Black oxide does not match titanium or cobalt for hot-cut steel work, but it is fine on mild steel. The shank is round and reduced for bits over 1/4 inch.
Value vs the alternatives
At $27 the Forster is the lowest credible kit in the 29-piece category. DeWalt at $49 and Irwin Cobalt at $79 are both better tools for daily use. For occasional users the math favors Forster.
Forster Tools Drill Bit Set vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Pieces | Material | Point | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forster Tools 29-pc | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | 29 | M2 HSS | 135 split | $27 | Best Budget |
| DeWalt DW1361 21-pc | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 21 | Pilot Point HSS | Pilot point | $49 | Top Pick |
| Irwin 29-pc Cobalt | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 29 | Cobalt M-35 | 135 split | $79 | Recommended |
| Generic 29-pc HSS | ★★★☆☆ 2.6 | 29 | Unspecified | 118 standard | $14 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Set size | 29 pieces |
| Range | 1/16 to 1/2 inch in 1/64 inch steps |
| Material | M2 high-speed steel |
| Point | 135-degree split point |
| Coating | Black oxide |
| Shank | Round, reduced over 1/4 inch |
| Use | Wood, mild steel, aluminum, plastic |
| Not for | Stainless, hardened steel, masonry |
| Case | Plastic with index labels |
| Origin | Imported |
Should you buy the Forster Tools Drill Bit Set?
If you need a complete twist drill set for occasional metal and wood work without paying for the DeWalt Pilot Point name, the Forster set is honest value. The 135-degree split point self-centers on mild steel without a center punch. After 150+ holes, the 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch bits (the most-used sizes) still bite cleanly. The set lacks the bit-by-bit case label of the more premium kits, but every size you actually use is in there. Good for the price.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Forster set worth $27 in 2026?+
Yes for an occasional-use set or a backup kit. Skip for daily metal-shop work, where the Irwin Cobalt or DeWalt Pilot Point is the right tool.
Forster vs DeWalt DW1361: which is better?+
DeWalt's Pilot Point self-centers more reliably and the bits last longer in steel. Forster is half the price for occasional use.
Will these drill stainless steel?+
Stainless will dull these bits quickly. Use cobalt (M-35 or M-42) for stainless. Forster is rated for mild steel only.
Should I upgrade if I do hobby metalwork?+
Yes. A cobalt or premium HSS set will last 5x longer on steel. The Forster set is sized for occasional use, not production.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Added 150-hole steel test and tip wear inspection.
- Dec 9, 2025Initial review published.
