Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Sep 19, 2006 10:48pm | #1

   The LV bits are decent Asian imports along the lines of Woodcraft and Rockler for example, but are not quite up to the standards of the Freud, Whiteside, Amana, CMT, Eagle America, etc., IMHO.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Sep 19, 2006 11:08pm | #2

   On a general level, you should:

   1) always choose a 1/2" shank, if you have a choice.

   2) Avoid buying a specific dovetail bit until you have a particular application in mind. There are many variations and configurations, and you you might want to wait until you have a project (and a plan) that calls for a specific size/angle.

   3) With straight bits, longer bits have a greater tendency to break. So you want to get the shortest bit that will do most of the jobs you have in mind for it.

   4) Brand qaulity judgments are all over the place. Generally speaking, price is sthe best guidee to quality. If XYZ bit costs $10, and the same bit from ABC costs $20, you can usually assume it is better carbide, better made, etc.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Wanda200 | Sep 20, 2006 03:15am | #3

   Hi,

   The only router bits I have are all 1/4" shank Delta bits.  Perhaps I should consider buying the Freud 1/4" bit I saw on sale at Home Hardware although It's a little more expensive than the LeeValley bit. ($5.00+)

   I am putting together a small cabinet to store some  hand tools and I  need a straight bit to cut out the rabbit so I can fit the panel. Or I could take the easy way out and just use an outlay door with regular hinges. The material I'm using is 3/4" thick. so I figure that Freud bit I saw at Home hardware would be long enough to cut the rabbit.  I don't think I need a 1/2" shank straight bit to do that.

   Wanda

1. 
   ring | Sep 20, 2006 08:39pm | #4

   Wanda,

   Get a 3/8" rabbet bit to make the rabbet.  It is so commonly used that you won't regret having a good one.  As someone already said, always get 1/2" shank whenever it's available.

   DR

    

3. 
   Pondfish | Sep 20, 2006 11:55pm | #5

   I have several LV bits and I am very pleased with them.  They're as good as the Amana, Ridge, MCLS and other makers.

   For dovetails, I use 3/4" (diameter), 1/2. and 3/8 bits.  I also have a Leigh jig, which takes special bits.

   I use straight bits for dados and spiral bits for mortises, and have several sizes for each.  There's no set rule for length, but I tend to buy as long of a bit as I can (with a 1/2" shank) except for pattern bits, where length can be critical.

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005