Replies

1. 
   Troy | Oct 28, 2006 07:57am | #1

   I have been happy with CMT and Eagle American bits. The CMT bits I can buy locally and the Eagle American bits are mail order that are US made. I think they are made buy Whiteside. The lower cost made in China bits are ok but seem to ware out faster and I think they are not always the most advanced designs as far as the shear angles of the cutting edges. Beware of the really cheap Chinese bits, I had a 1/4 shank straight cutting bit shear off and bounce of my face shield. The cut was only about 1/16 to 1/8 inch deep (mortising hinges). Anyway all of that was very un-scientific but I think the better bits are worth it.

   Troy

2. 
   Knotscott | Oct 28, 2006 07:58pm | #2

   I've got some LV bits....they're basically a decent Asian made value bit, but not on par with the upper end bits from Freud, Whiteside, CMT, Amana, Eagle America, etc IMO. They're more on par with value bits from Woodcraft, Rockler, MLCS, Woodline, Holbren, etc.

   Holbren.com has a good deal on an excellent set of the 7 most common profiles from Whiteside for $88 shipped. They're top grade US made bits that will perform well and last longer than less expensive bits. Then you can add more value oriented bits for specialty profiles that you won't use as often. (If you're a Woodnet member, he offers a "woodnet10" discount code)

   http://holbren.com/home.php

   Infinity makes a nice highend Japanese made set of the 6 most essential bits for $100 plus s/h.

   http://www.infinitytools.com/prodinfo.asp?number=00-112&variation=&aitem=2&mitem=7

3. 
   forestgirl | Oct 28, 2006 08:04pm | #3

   The better bits are going to cost you more money!  They have higher quality carbide, more of it, better coatings on the bit body, and are machined to tighter tolerances.  How much you need to spend depends partly on how hard you're going to use a bit, how long you need it to last.

   I have some Lee Valley bits, and they perform fine.  Don't know how long they will last though.  Were I to go back and have a "do-over" on my router bit purchasing, I'd buy a set from MLCS or one of the other moderately priced companies, to have most profiles to fool around with, and then when a bit that's used quite often wears out, I'd replace it with a top-quality bit.

   One thing about Lee Valley, if you get a bit that's defective in any way whatsoever, they'll take it back.  Their customer service is second to none.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   gailen | Oct 29, 2006 01:11am | #4

   thanks for the help I think I will go with higher priced ones, but will try LV. Sure nice to  have a response from experienced wood workers. Maybe in the long the good bits are the bargin. thanks again.

4. 
   user-211435 | Oct 29, 2006 01:25am | #5

   This is the way it works.  The more you pay, in general, the better the quality.

   But since you are new to using a router, you may want to start with a little less quality (less expensive) and see how it goes.

   The durability of router bits is not solely based on how much they cost.  The cutting edges can dull faster based on how they are used.  For instance, if a cutter is moved slowly along the cutting edge, it will not cut as many lineal feet as one that is moved faster.  This is because a slowly moving bit is making more cuts per foot, so obviously it cannot cut as many feet.  But if you move the router too quickly, the cut is of poorer quality.

   You can also reduce the life of a cutting edge by burning the bit, which is not too hard to do when it is spinning at 22,000 RPM.

   Another thing that doesn't occur to some is that if you are cutting boards that have been sanded, the tiny bits of sand that are imbedded in the wood will also dull the cutting edge.

   Freud makes good quality cutters.  They are one of the few companies to use micrograin carbide.  But there are others that do not use it that also make good quality bits.  Some come from the factory really sharp but do not remain sharp very long.  Some don't seem so sharp but will seem to cut forever without getting any more dull.  And sometimes you end up buying whatever brand has the particular shape you need at the time.

   Hal

   http://www.rivercitywoodworks.com