HF Stile & Rail Door Panel Set

[Bill in Buena Park]

I found this set at HF for $49.99 (on sale.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=2775

If these are as good as their other router bits, they may be decent. I haven't found a 3-piece set anywhere priced this low; was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on other low-priced, quality door bit sets.

There is another set at HF for $19.99 on sale - but that price seems too good to be true - any thoughts on this as well?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90009

BTW - from checking in local stores, these are only available to purchase on-line.

Thanks!

[LinuxRandal]

My father bought the second set, after I gave him the Craftsman Bosch (he already had all the Craftsman bushings, etc....) for Christmas. He had never made rail and stiles before and wanted an inexpensive test set to learn with, so he didn't ruin any good, expensive bits (he was looking at Amana (w/dvd's) or Whiteside otherwise). It took him a bit to get good at setting them up and making them fit properly, I thought the fit and finish of the bits were a little off, but his technique was worse. (98% of his early router work was freehand). Once I gave him some feedback on his questions, and he started playing with feedrate, I was actually impressed (he only used some pine and some popular scrap).

But if your going inexpensive, Brian over at Holbren had a surplus a while back that he sold, but their regular price is $59.95 and the item number is 26220. The finish of those bits looks a lot better (bought them for a non materialized project).

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks for the feedback, LR. I was not familiar with Holbren, and they have what I'm looking for. Other places I had checked were closer to $200 per 3-piece set. I may grab an HF set just to test (the $49 set) - if I do, I'll post something on my results.

[mater]

Before I would buy the HF set and pay $49. plus tax I would order this set from Brian http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...7&cat=0&page=1 and you get free shipping plus the BT3 discount which should wind up being about the same price.

[Lee4847]

I have that set. The rail and stile bits do a fair job. However, the large panel bit I only had in the router table once for about 20 seconds! It was so out of balance I thought the router table was going to walk out the door! Very scary!!

[herb fellows]

I have that set. The rail and stile bits do a fair job. However, the large panel bit I only had in the router table once for about 20 seconds! It was so out of balance I thought the router table was going to walk out the door! Very scary!!

Sorry I can't be more specific, but I believe someone on this or another website (routerforums.com?) said they were clearing out Bosch sets for $17 at their local Lowes. Mine wasn't, but I never see the Lowes discounts I hear about so it might be worth a look if you have a Lowes handy.

[herb fellows]

I have that set. The rail and stile bits do a fair job. However, the large panel bit I only had in the router table once for about 20 seconds! It was so out of balance I thought the router table was going to walk out the door! Very scary!!

Did you mention it to Brian? He seems like a more than decent sort, maybe a problem with that one bit?

[Lee4847]

OOps!! That was in reference to the HF set. Not Brian's. I should have been more specific!

Lee

[Salty]

If you are not particular about the style, for $5 more you can get the cove set with the backcutter.
http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...6&cat=0&page=1

I have only ever used one with a backcutter, Rockler brand, but it seems to me that you would either have a really deep cut from the front or have to use some other bit to make the back cut.

[Bill in Buena Park]

...I would order this set from Brian http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...7&cat=0&page=1 and you get free shipping plus the BT3 discount...

This would be a good set for my purposes. But what's this about a BT3 discount?

[mater]

This would be a good set for my purposes. But what's this about a BT3 discount?

Brian gives us a 10% discount. I think the code is "BT310" and you enter it in the coupon code at checkout.

[JimD]

Even if you get bits at Holben, you may want to check out the free instructions at MLCS. They have pretty good prices on bits too.

Jim

[Woodshark]

Building a new bathroom vanity and I just now got through using the HF 19.99 bits for the first time. I'm still covered in the sawdust.

I only used the rail and stile bit and to tell you the truth, they worked better than I expected.

No way I'm using the the panel bit but for the $20, the other two are a real deal if your like me and will only using them occasionally.

[Sawatzky]

I have a set of Bosch rail and stile bits that I have been VERY happy with. I know in the store they are about $109.00, but I got mine on ebay for $30.00. I often seem them on ebay for around $40.00 or so. I think that would be a much better option than the HF set. The Bosch bits I have seem to be very excellent quality.

[FEDSAWDAVE]

Please let us know how these Made in China router bits abuse the bearings in your routers being that 98% of them are severely unbalanced and are made with 70% cobalt binder Vs American & European router bits that have less than 40% cobalt binder. If anyone cares to debate debate this fact...Bring it on !!