Router Bits

[mashtun]

Ok I am looking at buying a basic set of Bits. Right now I am using some I got used with my router. Most of them are shot, and I need to replace them.

Is there a good beginers set that is reasonably cheap out there?

All I see these days at HD is sets of Ryobi, and DeWalt bits. Dewalt I would think would be OK, but what about the Ryobi bits?

Feel free with any suggestions.

John

[scmhogg]

John,

A member here, Brian Holbren, has a company that sell sets at all levels. He often has some really good deals. He also offers a 10% discount to members. Code BT310.

http://www.holbren.com/home.php?xid=...37cca890c6d989

MLCS also has a good range of bits. With free shipping. This is particularly helpful when you just need that one bit in a hurry.

Steve

[Sawatzky]

If you just need a few good bits, check out MLCS. If you want good quality, you can't beat Freud, Amana, CMT, or Whiteside, but of course you pay for the quality there. I would check out some of the Porter Cable bits they sell at HD. I know I have seen them there and they seem to be good quality.

[cabinetman]

Lots of good advice so far and some good leads. My suggestion would be to try to not get kits, or an arrangement of bits. I've got bits in kits that I haven't used. Get some good bits and get what you need.

[Knottscott]

My first set was an MLCS 15 pc set for $40 shipped. It worked pretty well for 3-4 years but have pretty much been replaced by now. Holbren is a great place for bits...his house brand is as good as any low cost bit (FWW recently rated them above Woodline and MLCS), and he sells the excellent Whiteside bits at a good price. Free shipping on all orders, plus he gives members here a 10% discount for using code "BT310".

If you can spend $80, I'd highly recommend the Whiteside 7 pc starter set. All top grade US made bits of the common profiles that will get alot of use.

[dkerfoot]

I agree with everything said so far. Be sure to avoid 1/4" shanks.

Now I'll contradict myself: I bought a cheap set of 24 Hickory Woodworking brand 1/4" bits when I first got my router and I am glad I did. For those times when you need an odd bit that you don't have yet for just a few pieces, it can be really handy. Just don't expect more from them than what they are.

Also, Menard's carries Oldham Viper bits (they have gotten some very good press) and I have taken advantage of some really nice sale prices on individual bits.

[LinuxRandal]

If your looking for a small set, you might even email Holbren and ask if he has any with busted cases.

The set part has been argued here before, and my view kinda changed. I have no problems with small sets of common bits (roundovers, straight, commonly used of multiple sizes). As for store brand (when you need one in a hurry), I've been impressed with Bosch bits (available at Lowes). You will pay more for convience though. A SMALL starter set isn't bad, and contains common trim profiles, that you should replace with better bits as you use them.

[JimD]

Pricecutter.com has some bit sets on clearance made by Jointech (or marketed by them). I bought a 2 piece rails and stile set and it seems to be good quality - haven't made a door with it yet, however. The bits are about 30-50% below previous pricing which was not high to start with.

Jim

[Sparky2002]

John,

I will give my $.02. I bought a new Bosch 1617 last month. I have never used a router before so I needed some bits. I looked at the sets at Lowes and HD, could not stand to spend the money on 1/4" shanks that would break. Went to my local Woodcraft, and they set me up with a seven piece set from Whiteside, also mentioned earlier. I took them for a spin and I could not be happier with the cut they all produced. The price was a little steep, but, I wanted quality bits not quantity of bits, over the long hual.

Shawn

[mashtun]

Router Bits

Ok first let me say thanks for all the info. I will probably end buying either a Holbren, whitside, or MLCS set. I couldn't really wait, so I went and Bought a 1/4 inch straight Proter Cable bit from HD last night. I will let you know what I think of it once I have something to compare it to.

I do however have one other question. While I was looking at some of the MLCS set I noticed that several of them list a 1/4 inch Straight, and a 1/4 ich Slot cutting bit.

What is the difference between a straight bit and a slot cutting bit?

Should you not use a straight bit to make a slot?

John

[LarryG]

What is the difference between a straight bit and a slot cutting bit?

Should you not use a straight bit to make a slot?

This page from the MLCS site will illustrate the difference, if you compare the pictures to the straight bit you just bought.

You could call what a straight bit cuts a "slot," but I think "groove" is the better word, if only to help distinguish it from what a slot cutter bit does. Note that slot cutters go down to a smaller size (as little as 1/16") than straight bits generally go, and in finer increments (32nds and 64ths).

[LCHIEN]

think of it this way - a slot cutter is a disk and cuts a slot parallel to the base plate of the router - like a biscuit cutter slid sideways.

A straight bit is more like a drill bit and and cuts a slot perpendicular to the base plate, more like a dado.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

My first set was an MLCS 15 pc set for $40 shipped. It worked pretty well for 3-4 years but have pretty much been replaced by now. Holbren is a great place for bits...his house brand is as good as any low cost bit (FWW recently rated them above Woodline and MLCS), and he sells the excellent Whiteside bits at a good price. Free shipping on all orders, plus he gives members here a 10% discount for using code "BT310".

If you can spend $80, I'd highly recommend the Whiteside 7 pc starter set. All top grade US made bits of the common profiles that will get alot of use.

EXACTLY! You really don't have to look any further than Holbren. Always free shipping at Holbren. I suggest a 1/2" shank intro set of the Holbren line or the Whiteside set. The Holbren set gives you a wide range of profiles to try and perform as well as or better than most other intro brands and even better than some well known and highly regarded bits such as Freud. The Whiteside bits have ranked first in both value and quality in two seperate tests from Fine Woodworking. First test was an ogee profile I believe and second test was straight bits.

IMHO a lot of bits out there are a waste of money. Woodcraft, CMT, Amana are all more expensive than Whiteside (when ordered from Holbren with free shipping and 10% off) and inferior in performance.

[kevincan]

I have the MLCS 15 piece set and I think for $39.95 it has been a great starter set for me. I also have a set of Holbren bits and they have worked out great also. The Holbren set I got is 1/4" shank because the router I had at the time was 1/4" only. I think the Holbren set was 20 - 24 pcs. I do not see it listed on his web site now.

If money is not an issue the Whitside 7 pc set that Holbren has would be a great way to go.

Kevin

[gwyneth]

That 20-piece Holbren set was a great way to start...then supplement with $5 - $10 bits of the ones you use more often, and as those go dull (indicating the ones you use most often), upgrade to the Whiteside ones.