MLCS 45 piece router bits $110

[Flatlander]

I know these bits are reviewed fairly well. This looks like a good deal if you need a set of bits.
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops...ges/set45.html

[Stormbringer]

Hmmm. Looks pretty attractive. Maybe it's just me but I think I would rather buy the 7pc Whiteside from Holbren for $80 It contains some of the most popular profiles you consistently use. I'd probably put the other $35 towards another 7 when Woodcraft runs their $5 bit sale or save it for those bits that will see one time use.

I've had a 30 piece set for quite a while bit have used only about 10.

Greg

[Knottscott]

Hmmm. Looks pretty attractive. Maybe it's just me but I think I would rather buy the 7pc Whiteside from Holbren for $80 It contains some of the most popular profiles you consistently use. I'd probably put the other $35 towards another 7 when Woodcraft runs their $5 bit sale or save it for those bits that will see one time use.

I've had a 30 piece set for quite a while bit have used only about 10.

Greg

I'm with Greg, and was thinking exactly along those lines. The Whitesides are top flight American made bits that are sharper, will hold an edge longer, will perform better, are worth resharpening, and are the most frequently used profiles that will see lots of action...an excellent way to spend the bulk of your bit budget IMHO.

I'm in the process of replacing all my worn out commonly used MLCS profiles with Whitesides...you can save time and money in the long run by doing it now.

[TKsDust]

I agree on Whiteside value and have been buying Whitesides to fill in between my Freud's, Holbren's, and Woodcraft's. Despite that, the MLCS kit is a good price worth posting for some decent bits to help you have the options to be more creative in matching profiles when creating moldings, etc.

In addition, I usually buy Holbren's, have bought only one or two MLCS and like Holbren's.

I just noticed Hobren has the killer sale price on thier 1/4" shank, 35 piece set for $60 !!!!!!!!!

[Flatlander]

I agree that is good to have quality bits for the profiles you use everyday, but it doesn't make sense spending big bucks on the profiles you use once a year. Also if I remember correctly, fine woodworking did a review on bits, and I thought MLCS did better than most bits costing 10 times as much. I can't find the article right now.

[Knottscott]

I agree that is good to have quality bits for the profiles you use everyday, but it doesn't make sense spending big bucks on the profiles you use once a year. Also if I remember correctly, fine woodworking did a review on bits, and I thought MLCS did better than most bits costing 10 times as much. I can't find the article right now.

The FWW article is over 8 years old now, and not as pertinent. The technology has marched on...more so with the high end companies, countries of origin have changed...particularly with bargain bits, and some of the companies are no longer in business. Time for a new router bit comparison article!

[Flatlander]

The FWW article is over 8 years old now, and not as pertinent. The technology has marched on...more so with the high end companies, countries of origin have changed...particularly with bargain bits, and some of the companies are no longer in business. Time for a new router bit comparison article!

I did a quick search on google for router bit comparison articles, and the FWW article from July/August 1999 is the only one I could find. I know that is just over 7 years old, but at least is is something. I know Workbench magazine did a short article about the tripple wing bits a couple of months ago, and like them alot.

If cheeper meant bad quality, then the bt3central site would not exist, as nobody would have a bt3000/3100.

[Knottscott]

Sounds like a match then....

[JSCOOK]

FWIW, I personally suspect that most of these router bits on the markert (other than Freud, CMT, Whiteside) are ALL made in the same off-shore country, at the same factory, on the same production lines ... is there really any difference, as I've yet to see it.

For the typically used bits, buy a true brand name like what's been suggested ... buy a cheaper larger set to get the "used once in a while" bits.

Check out this place for sets ... not your top end, but for the price I haven't been disappointed with them yet either ... they claim to be ISO K-10 (C3) Industrial Carbide ....

http://www.bladesnbits.com/category84.ihtml

[Stormbringer]

Check out this place for sets ... not your top end, but for the price I haven't been disappointed with them yet either ... they claim to be ISO K-10 (C3) Industrial Carbide ....

http://www.bladesnbits.com/category84.ihtml

Have my large set (30) from them. Bought it when they had their "damaged case" sale a few years ago for $32. Keep an eye out for the sale....usual once or twice a year. They have served me very well and have been reviewed favorably on Bt3central for quite some time.

Greg

[jp_spins]

MLCS also has this 15 piece set for $35

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops...et15piece.html

[cwsmith]

Based on the many positive comments I've seen here on BT3Central, I recently purchased a 30-piece "Damaged in Shipment" set from BladesNBits for about $60, including shipping (as I recall, without looking up the receipt). They arrived yesterday (about 7 days shipping from Canada). I haven't tried one out yet, but on close inspection, these bits look like pretty good quality.

The damage on my particular box, was nothing more than a dirty scuff on the top front and rear edges. A quick swipe of sandpaper should take that off easily. Bits are shipped with a rubber-like coating (dipped) and on the one bit that looked like it was damaged, it proved to be only an indentation in the coating. Under a 10-power glass, the bit was perfect.

Heck of a deal IMHO,

CWS

ps, the http://www.bladesnbits.com/ web site seems to have a problem today as it did on Monday of last week. Should be back up tomorrow I would think.