Router bits

[poolhound]

Has anybody ever bought and of the router bits sets found on EBAY? There are many different "wholesalers" advertising multi-bit sets. The prices are veryreasonable but it looks like they make some of their money back on the shipping. Even so the end price still looks good.

Anybody got any expereince they want to share or reccomend any other good places to buy bit sets without having to pay the earth?

Jon

[vaking]

Holbren, MLCSWoodworking, Blades and Bits - all have good inexpensive starter sets. I suggest skip ebay.

[just4funsies]

A good cut is 95% about a good bit. Don't scrimp on bits. Buy good ones and work with confidence.

[Knottscott]

I think sometimes Holbren and BnB have bits on Ebay. Other than those or major brand name bits, I'd steer clear of unknowns and deal directly with Holbren, MLCS, Woodcraft, etc.

I've been present in a shop when a bit shed it's carbide and imbedded itself in a wall. No one was hurt but it leaves a very uneasy feeling.

[poolhound]

do BnB have a website I can seem to find it. when you search for just Blades and Bits you get hundres of hits but none that look right.

Jon

[mschrank]

do BnB have a website I can seem to find it. when you search for just Blades and Bits you get hundres of hits but none that look right.

Jon

They do have a website, but it's "closed" for the time being. The owner had a letter to explain the closing last week, but now I don't see it. IIRC, the site should be back up in the near future.

Here's the link: http://www.bladesnbits.com/

[poolhound]

Anybody seen this set from Holbren?

http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...=27&bestseller

[RmeDad]

I have this set http://www.holbren.com/product.php?p...=27&bestseller and love it. Brian is great to deal with.

[LCHIEN]

all kinds of sellers sell on eBay, the range of quality can be huge.
Its best to stick to sellers with a good reputation as those mentioned above. Then you can buy from them on eBay or over the net or over the phone.

As for the set you show, I'd steer away from 1/4" shanks and stick to 1/2" shanks if your roter will take them. The reasons have been stated in SO MANY posts.

So anyway that 24-piece set does not tell what profiles are in it... not much help.

I've been happy with the MLCS 30-pc set for around $99 w/free shipping:
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops...s/set30pc.html

The Holbren similar set is cheaper, I think, if money is an issue.

[ekistl]

I am as cost concious as they come, and agree with those above who say don't skimp on the router bits. I would add Whiteside to the list of excellent bits. http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/

-eric, a new member

[DonHo]

I also have that set from Holbren as well as a few other bits from him. I've found his bits to be of good quality and he's great to deal with. I'm sure Blades and bits is good also but I've never dealt with them. For bits you are going to use a lot, it might pay to buy a more expensive bit. If you're just getting started the cheaper sets from Holbren or Blades and bits give you several profiles for not a lot of money. You'll soon learn which profiles you use the most and you can decide if you want to replace them with more expensive bits.
Just my 2 cents,
DonHo

[Warren]

I'm not a fan of sets of bits. I purchase the best bit I can when I need it. After ten years of collecting what I need I have 19 bits, all 1/2 shank except for a smaller up spiral and roundover. I suspect, if you want to play around and experiment a set would be a good idea. Still, I prefer having only the bits I know I will use.

[poolhound]

Thanks everybody for advice. I ordered the 36pc set from Holbren. Brian was very helpfull and good to do business with.

I did consider buying individual bits but the set was such good value and when I added up the few basic bits I need to get started the price exceeded the set.

Once I have experiemented I will probably buy some extra individual ones of the type I use the most

Jon