Router Bits

[dkerfoot]

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.

Would love to see a summary of the tests for those of us who don't subscribe. What was the final ranking?

[Knottscott]

Would love to see a summary of the tests for those of us who don't subscribe. What was the final ranking?

Here it is....keep in mind that with most tests like these, there are alot of variables, many of which go unaddressed and even unnoticed. The bit they're using may or may not be representative of the entire line, and it may not even be representative of the same profile from the same vendor. The wood is variable, the ratings subjective, etc. Bottom line....it's not gospel, so take it for what it's worth.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Here it is....keep in mind that with most tests like these, there are alot of variables, many of which go unaddressed and even unnoticed. The bit they're using may or may not be representative of the entire line, and it may not even be representative of the same profile from the same vendor. The wood is variable, the ratings subjective, etc. Bottom line....it's not gospel, so take it for what it's worth.

There are a lot of variables, however FWW did a good job of reducing a lot of the variables. Using power feeders certainly addressed feed rates. The methods for wood selection helped standardize. And lets face it the vast majority of the work that the bits did was in MDF which is pretty standard. The ratings are subjective but they were supposed to be done in a blind test. One can definately determine from the results that say an Amana would be a poor choice, both financially and product result choice for a maple project.

Note FWW has done this test twice. One is a straight bit test and one is an edge profile test (believe it was ogee). The results were pretty consistent between the brands.

However, looking at the results how can any one choose a bit other than Whiteside (value and quality) or Holbren (value)?

[dkerfoot]

I am surprised they didn't include Oldham Viper - they rather famously came out as the value champ in a previous straight bit test.

I do take these tests with a grain of salt, but they help weed out the true quality from the overpriced hype and they sometimes reveal a diamond in the rough.

However, looking at the results how can any one choose a bit other than Whiteside (value and quality) or Holbren (value)?

I've picked up a few Oldham Viper bits when my local Menard's has had them on sale at 50% off. I can't claim I have had the sort of reaction that Gwyneth had with her new Whiteside, but I have always felt I got a good value. Particularly when I can hide the tool purchase amongst the snow shovels and paint for the bathroom.

Does that answer the question Jeffrey?

[Holbren]

I am surprised they didn't include Oldham Viper - they rather famously came out as the value champ in a previous straight bit test.

They fell out of popularity when Porter Cable bought them and HD stopped carrying them. I guess that was one way to get that contract. I didn't realize you could still buy Oldham, never see them in stores around here and none of the catalog houses sell them. They are a decent bit though.

[dkerfoot]

I hadn't realized PC had bought them. Isn't it funny that the one company that is most synonymous with routers doesn't carry better bits?

So, all of this praise for the Whiteside bits convinced me to buy a rabbeting set from Holbren. Unfortunately, I put the BT310 code in the wrong place though and missed the discount. Oh well, I figured out where I made the mistake so I'll get it next time.

[Holbren]

Don't worry about the discount, I'll process it manually. If you ever do that, just send an email.

You'll be happy with the Whiteside bits. They really should cost more than they do which is why FWW gave them best value too.

[gwyneth]

I can't claim I have had the sort of reaction that Gwyneth had with her new Whiteside, but I have always felt I got a good value.

I got the 20-piece set Brian had on deep discount earlier this year and though I've used only the straight and slot bits in it, I thought it was an excellent value. Maybe someday I'll want to use a profile bit and it will be in the box, waiting.

The straight bits Woodcraft had on sale for $5 were a pretty good value--though they looked slightly better finished than Holbren's, they were also only slightly better, if at all. They'd be a bad value at their regular price.

Woodline straight bits cost about the same (a set of nine for $35-ish, on sale) and performed about the same as the Woodcraft ones. MLCS: slightly more expensive, similar results.

Bosch, Freud and Milwaukee straight bits, all on sale for between $8 and $12, or twice as much, definitely did not perform twice as well (although that should be qualified in the case of one of the Milwaukees which has no counterpart to other brands (cutting length more than 2", overall length slightly longer than 4") and used very rarely.)

So, I think I'll agree with Jeffrey. Holbren for value and Whiteside for quality, although if you do the math, it works the other way around, too: Holbren has quality, and Whiteside has value. Compared to the other brands I've got, the only two that could be considered cost-effective.

[Holbren]

The straight bits Woodcraft had on sale for $5 were a pretty good value--though they looked slightly better finished than Holbren's,

Those yellow bits in that set are not finished as well as my regular blue bits.

[dkerfoot]

Don't worry about the discount, I'll process it manually. If you ever do that, just send an email.

Thanks Brian! I appreciate it.

Also, just FYI. Being able to pay through PayPal is a big incentive for me. I own a couple of different ecommerce sites. Using PayPal allows me to use pre-LOML reviewed funds. This saves me significant amounts of money because it doesn't require a matching contribution to the shoe and wardrobe fund.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Thanks Brian! I appreciate it.

Also, just FYI. Being able to pay through PayPal is a big incentive for me. I own a couple of different ecommerce sites. Using PayPal allows me to use pre-LOML reviewed funds. This saves me significant amounts of money because it doesn't require a matching contribution to the shoe and wardrobe fund.

You clearly need a PayPal debit card. It is very handy in these cases! LOL!