Had a friend who just bought his first router (I think its a Skil). Since I’ve got a router/table, he asked me for a recomendation on an inexpensive router bit set to get him started. I really didn’t know what brand to tell him. I’ve only got 8 or 9 bits and bought each individually.
Are all of those Tool Shop, Craftsman, Skil, Hickory…etc. kinds of brands (basically 20-30 bits for $100 or less deals) going to be about the same? Good for a few passes, but wear out quickly? That is all he is looking for, something that will introduce him to the different things which can be done with the router.
Heck, I can’t blame him. I’ve been thinking of getting a set myself. If the cheapie bit does what I want it to, I’ll go ahead and get the more durable $25 bit.
jt8
Opportunity doesn’t knock. You knock, opportunity answers. — American Proverb
Replies
I would probably go with the mcls set from this post. I'll probably get one this summer.
22433.5
MLCS way over the others you listed. Click here for the $99 set. Free shipping.
One brand that didn't come up in the other set is Woodline. Anyone got any thoughts on those??
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I've used Woodline for several years and have been real happy. Recently made panels for doors with their cabinet set and they came out very good. Also, I bought a new set at the woodworking show in Denver and one didn't fit into my router. Must have been sllightly out of tolerance. Called them and had a new one by priority mail in a couple of days.
"I've used Woodline for several years and have been real happy. Recently made panels for doors with their cabinet set and they came out very good. Also, I bought a new set at the woodworking show in Denver and one didn't fit into my router. Must have been sllightly out of tolerance. Called them and had a new one by priority mail in a couple of days."
I'm glad you mentioned Woodline, since I just bought a solid carbide spiral upcut bit for a song ($35!!!) and a bargain-priced set of straight bits from them at the recent Chantilly show. Also glad to hear they stand behind their products.Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
mvac,
FYI, 1/4 solid carbide up-cut bit from MCLS $19.00. Even comes with 1/2 collet. Works like a champ.....
Wow, that is a good deal. Do you think there's any quality difference between a Woodline bit and a MCLS bit if they're both solid carbide? I can't say I'm crying crocodile tears, sinct the same bit by Amana, Whiteside, Freud, et al runs around $55.
Also, my bit is 1 1/2" in cutting length. What CL is the MCLS bit, and would that make much of a difference in price?
Thanks for the update,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Hey Mitch,
Yeah same length. If there is any difference in quality I can't tell you, as this was my 1st solid carbide bit. All I can say is that it cuts like crazy. Pulling the chips out as it cuts makes such a difference. Had about 250 ft of panel door frames made of very old heart pine to route and it never checked up. Is still very sharp. That old pine is some tough stuff on tools.
I think what I was impressed with the most is how smooth it runs in the router. My old straight cut bits were fine, but there is a difference.
Now to be fair this is a 1/4 bit. I'm sure bigger bits, which I think will have 1/2 shank. will be more expensive. I don't think you can buy a 1/4 cutter in anything but 1/4 shank. I could be wrong though.
Good luck
Jimmy
as always I wish you enough
Jimmy,
Ah, that's the diff. When you said "even comes with 1/2" collet" (or whetever it was you said about a 1/2" collet), I assumed it was a 1/2" shank. The 1/4" shank's the reason for the price difference, or most of it - 'tho it clearly hasn't hurt your use in that old pine!
FYI, you can get 1/4" bits w/ 1/2" shanks. I don't know, though, if the dramatic reduction in size from tip to shank makes it any more prone to breakage. But I doubt it. And the 1/2" shank almost certainly leads to more stability/less vibration in the router.
Thanks for the info,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Pardon my laziness for not checking all the prior posts, but has anyone mentioned Routerbits.com yet? They sell Whiteside bits exclusively, and the prices are much lower than I would ever have expected.
Excuse me if this is redundant.
Regards,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Thanks I bookmarked.. I LOVE my Whitesides!
My pleasure - I don't know anyone who doesn't like Whiteside bits.
Did you get a chance to scan some of their prices? How do they compare to your other sources?
Regards,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Did you get a chance to scan some of their prices?
I look around in the sale bins..
I find Whitesides that do not sell because of price "I guess".. Few bucks off OK by me..
I still use my cheep one more often.. Just me...
Did you get a chance to scan some of their prices?..
YEP Like my doctor.. Grabbed me wallet and said 'COUGH'!
I have no idea what that says about their prices, but I did LOL!!!Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Hey Mitch,
I have not been able to find any router bit maker that makes 1/4" solid carbide spiral cut bits in anything but a 1/4" shank. Checked 7 different sites including Whiteside. Now there were some I think that were HSS you could get in 1/2" shank. The smallest 1/2" shank I could find was 5/16" in the SCSC. MLCS is the only one that if you want it as a 1/2" shank they will include the adapter, guess they assume you only may have a 1/2" collet.
Jimmy
as always I wish you enough
Check this page at MLCS. Their #903 and #917 are 1/4 bits with a 1/2" shank.
I prefer to use a 1/4" bit with 1/4" shank for the reason FG stated. I'm concerned about the transition point, but the big problem is probably more likely to be 'crowding' the bit and overloading it.
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Edited 3/23/2005 7:35 am ET by BArnold
Sorry Bill they are not. Check the little star on those bits and you will see it says "proper adaptor will be supplied". It is a 1/4 to 1/2 sleeve. The 903 is what I bought. I think it is something to do with the grain of the carbide is why no one offers 1/2 shank in smaller cutters. Not sure though.
Jimmy
as always I wish you enough
Jimmy,
Oops -- my bad. Someday I'll learn to read! :-)
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting Click Here if you're interested in a good,inexpensive website host.
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
"...if the dramatic reduction in size from tip to shank makes it any more prone to breakage. " This configuration has been mentioned as a weak point in a couple of discussions about router bit breakage. Doesn't mean it's true <grin> but certainly something to think about. I broke down and bought a couple of 1/4" shank bits for a project I'm working on and they've performed pretty darned well. I still like 1/2" shanks whenever possible though.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I think undercutting a hunk of metal always makes it subject to breakage..
I would use a smaller diameter bit and use two passes...
Tool Shop bits..
I'm going to get flack from the 'PROS' here but I use them all the time.
Carbide tipped... Cheap.. Work OK for MOST of the work... For the price I have no regrets using them..
I use my Whitsides for the hard to do stuff...
You guys are gonna laugh at me, especially in light of all my recent Dewalt bashing..but I've just started routing and doing some tinkering around my shop here, making some furniture for my house. I bought a cheapie Ryobi router table/router combo kit for 99 bucks and was in the market for some router bits. Lo and behold, after checking out almost all the web sites and catalogs I was on overstock.com and found a Holbren 24 piece set (1/4 " shank) with wood case for 29.00 and change..it came to just under 33 bucks with shipping. I was on OS.com a few months ago looking for something else and found they have tools as well. The bits are all carbide tipped and as good as any starter set I've ever seen. So far I've done oak, maple and pine with good results...they seem to stay sharp, although in truth I've never used bits before so I have no comparison. If you just want some knock around bits this may be a deal for anyone out there.......Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast, SHOW NO MERCY!!!
I won't laugh, I promise, but I do wonder why you got 1/4" shanks. I avoid them whenever possible.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I bought the 1/4 inch shanks because thats what the router takes..and I don't know too much about this type of carpentry, so I started out small and since I've gotten them I've been doing research and found that the 1/2 shanks are the way to go....maybe (probably) I'll let my son have at them after I get the real deal.....I'm just making some small stuff for around the house, bookcases, etc, so I tread lightly into this field...I never know if I'll have the time or if the contracting will be flat out, I may not see my shop for 6 months...Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast, SHOW NO MERCY!!!
"I may not see my shop for 6 months..." Now that would be sad!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
It sure is....I just got back from Roswell, NM building a Rib Crib Restaurant out there, have done one in Midwest City, OK., one in Yukon, OK, some repairs in Lubbock, TX and a score of repairs to the older RC's in the OKC Metro area.In Roswell...we started the job, (broke ground) and they served their 1st meal 82 days later. Course we had subs for the HVAC, electrical and plumbing, but we did this with 5 guys doing everything else, all the cabinetry, drywall, sheeting bathroom fixtures, kitchen, FRP, paint yadda, yadda,yadda......so there are times I don't get to see the shop for a long long time......Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast, SHOW NO MERCY!!!
I bought a few Holbren bits through their website (compared to overstock, they were cheaper!). I noted that they said to put 25off in the coupon code window when placing an order to get 25% off. I tried 40off and got $40 off instead of 40%. I got a note back from Holbren informing me of their error...It was supposed to be 40% (I just tried it on a whim) not $40. Surprisingly, they told me to enjoy the extra savings. I thanked them for honoring the order and let them know if the bits are good, that I will keep ordering from them! They gave me $40 off a $87 order! shipping was seven dollars. I note that they say they won't sell anymore 1/4 inch bits except for what's already in stock. 1/2 inch only from them from now on reportedly.
"I just tried it on a whim." I'm sure they'd do better if their customers didn't act on such "whims." ["Hmmmmmm, let's see, wonder if I could rip 'em off for an extra 15% discount"] forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Hey all I did was try it to see if they were offering a bigger discount than I was already aware of. If that is ripping off someone then we ought to avoid all sales and specials. All my whim did was clarify which specials were available. When they contacted me they thanked me for making them aware of the glitch in their code that made it dollars instead of a percentage.
I do appreciate the judgmental, holier than thou attitiude in your missive. I needed the laugh. There are so few people who truly are so superior!!
As a retailer myself, I am all too aware of how a certain percentage of the customer base will "innocently" try to manipulate specials and sales to see if they can eek out a little (or alot) more than the business intends. Frankly, I find "all I did was try it to see if they were offering a bigger discount than I was already aware of" to smack of disingenuousness.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
So be it. You are superior. Remember that when you cheat on your taxes.
Your interpretation of what I said and why I said it are so far off base, it's incredible.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Okay, you are superior and your ability to communicate is limited. Whatever you say.
Tony,
I respect the fact that you disagree with FG. But the tone you're taking is appropriate for the Cafe, not Tools for Woodworking. We should at least be able to keep the sniping to a minimum when we're talking wood.
With respect,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Agreed
Thanks, Tony.
I don't care what Slainte says about you, you're alright in my book (and man, can he talk...). ;-)Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I got my router bits today. Not only were they quite good, and fairly inexpensive with the inadvertant discount, they included a free 35 mm carbide bit as a thank you! I will do business with them again.
Get the MCLS set of 30 for $99. You can't beat it.....then when you find the several that you use all the time, and it comes time to replace, buy Whiteside or an equivalent high ender. I am still using many of my original MCLS bits and they work fine....you cannot beat a good $3.00 bit.
Don
Hi all,
does any one have any thoughts about Woodcraft, Jesada, or Rockler?
I have had my eye on the Woodcraft 1/2" shank 6 peice set of roundovers and coves . Each set is 59.99. I have several 1/4" shank routerbits but I am getting more serious about woodworking and am trying to pick up 1/2" bits now.
I would love to have a Whiteside or Cmt or Amana dealer in my area but I don't. Frued and Bosch- at the homecenter for now.
Or use the internet.
Webby
Edited 3/17/2005 4:50 pm ET by webby
Webby,
"does any one have any thoughts about Woodcraft, Jesada, or Rockler?"
I have a few Woodcraft bits (all 1/2" shank), and they've done fine by me. I also bought their adjustable-width rabbeting set, which has worked great, since I try to rout most of my rabbets instead of using the TS. Can't say I have any experience with Jesada or Rockler...
All of that said, the $99.00 MLCS set (see above posts) sounds like a better buy given the number of bits you get, and like the Woodcrafts they're all carbide-tipped... I'd probably spring for the extra $40. But that's one person's view, and the Woodcraft sets you mentioned aren't bad values.
Hope that helps to confuse, I mean, clear, things up,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Thanks mvac.
I, too, would go with the MLCS set. You'll get 6 roundovers and 3 coves, should cover your bases pretty well. Jesada has had some business problems over the last year it seems, now being sold by another company. I bought their rabetting set a couple years ago, had to request a new set of bearings. The quality control was pretty poor. Rockler isn't a great value as far as I can see.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Hi all,
I just got an mlcs catalog today. So it seems that the concensus is the mlcs bits are good bits for the money. I assume that you all are refering to the plain greay mlcs bits and not the pricier Katana bits?
One thing I noticed looking through the catalog is that it seems that the grey bits dont have as full a body profile as other bits. Any problems with kickback or the bits being grabby? I liked the price and will probably give them a try in the future.
Webby
Get the MCLS set of 30 for $99.
Seems like that set is getting the nod from more people than any of the others. I think both my friend and I will pick up a set. Wonder if we can get a discount for buying two? ;)
jt8
Opportunity doesn't knock. You knock, opportunity answers. -- American Proverb
Hi! I started out with Craftsman router bits in the 1970s, and loved them. I then bought American Eagle bits, and they work well. I would like to obtain some Whiteside raised panel bits. Do you know of any e-mail dealers for Whiteside? Thanks!
Woodcraft sells Whiteside bits over the 'net.
Have fun,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Dear MVAC, JohnTB, PolarseA1, EF, and Leon Jester, Many thanks for your help! I will look at each of these listings for Whiteside Router Bits. Thanks! I hope to return your kindness one day. Dale
I have been a profesional Cabinetmaker for most of my life, as often as most router bits are used (very infrequently) any decent carbide tiped routerbits will do the job. Keping them clean and making sure they have no nicks is the biggest part. I have bought sets from Woodline as well as individual bits from Amana, and I can tell little difference over the long haul.
Thanks, Bachaus,
"I have been a professional Cabinetmaker for most of my life, as often as most router bits are used (very infrequently) any decent carbide tiped routerbits will do the job. Keping them clean and making sure they have no nicks is the biggest part. I have bought sets from Woodline as well as individual bits from Amana, and I can tell little difference over the long haul."
I can see how your router wouldn't see the greatest activity in cabinet construction (I'm assuming most are kitchen cabs).
I like to build bookcases, and I'm partial to stopped dadoes for my fixed shelves. Also, I prefer rabbeting on my router table to doing it on the TS - one step vs. two. And, I like loose tenon construction, which means I'm routing a lot of mortises. So I imagine my bits might see a bit more use.
I'm happy to hear that your Woodline have held up as well as your Amanas. Good to know. Thanks again.
Regards,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Do you know of any e-mail dealers for Whiteside?
Amazon carries some Whiteside bits.
jt8
Opportunity doesn't knock. You knock, opportunity answers. -- American Proverb
Routerbitworld.com has Whiteside, Freud and Amana bits. Shipping is fast and only a buck.
Am I missing something? I don't see Whiteside on that site...Edward
I stand corrected. Senior moment.
Re: Whiteside: If you are willing to do eBay there is a dealer that lists them in his store, and he does discount them: see the seller "briartoys1". I've been pleased with him. At the time it was the best price I could find.Edward
Edited 3/19/2005 1:04 am ET by EF
Do you know of any e-mail dealers for Whiteside? Thanks!
***********http://www.routerbits.com/cgi-routerbits/loadpage.cgi?1111272344_32628+home.htmWhiteside bits, Systimatic blades and Fisch Forstner bits, amongst others. Good folks to deal with.Leon Jester
John,
Those sets are generally not a good choice. You end up with several bits that you either won't use or are not the depth, angle, etc. that you actually want. Then you start buying individual bits anyway. Better to buy individual bits right from the start. With that said, I started out with one of those sets. Mine was from Harbor Freight -- enough said!
I say get the MLCS set. That way, at least it's a good deal and the bits are good quality. If possible, get the 1/2" shank bits. As a matter of fact, one of the best bits (no pun intended) of advice I give to brand-new woodworkers is to start with a 1/2" shank router.
Edited 3/19/2005 11:37 am ET by Matthew Schenker
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled