I have now tried Freud and Jesada cabinet door bit sets with continuing fit problems. The coped ends of the rails are a loose fit in the styles, and when the door frames are clamped together the outer edges of the styles are dropped slightly, because the coping bit removes slightly too much on the back of the rails. I’ve checked several different times to make sure the rail and style stock are perfectly square and that the router is perpendicular to the table insert. Jesada acknowledged that the first bit set was doing this, but their replacement set is doing the same thing and haven’t replied to email.
Always assumed that a poor fit was due to my relative inexperience, but I can’t find any problems with stock preparation and equipment, and don’t want to produce “so-so” work. Can anyone suggest a cabinet door bit set that produces a perfect rail-style coped joint? Thanks.
Replies
I've had good luck with those from CMT. Understand that Whiteside are good as well. You can get either from Woodhaven who include a helpful book of tips on how to get good joints with the sets.
I have a set of Freud's that work fine for me. That is, once I figured out that the router plate that I bought was crowned. The manufacturer claimed this was a feature. I made my own plate and have not had a problem since. Check the flatness of your router table. If you're having problems with bits from two manufacturers then I suspect its not the bits. If you really think it is the bits, then try Whiteside or CMT.
You also mention that the material is properly prepared, I assume you mean that it is properly edge and face jointed so that it is perfectly flat when compared to another known flat surface, (saw table, etc).
Steve - in Northern California
Edge and top of stock jointed until perfectly flat and square to each other. Also chucked straight bit and ran some stock to confirm that router was perfectly perpendicular to the insert. Still seeking enlightenment, any other checks you can think of? My first thought also was my table, but haven't been able to find any source of error yet. Thanks for the suggestions.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled