Replies

1. 
   jes | Jan 13, 2005 08:01pm | #1

   When i bought my first router about three years ago, i bought a box of 20 1/4" shank craftsman router bits for $100 from sears, which included all the basic bits you're looking for.  I've put them through plenty of use on different types of wood, and they're still producing nice clean accurate cuts with no signs of impending failure.  I think that was a sale price, but i think their normal pricing is very reasonable too.  For about the same price i think they sell a box of 12 basic 1/2" shank bits; even though i've had no problems with the 1/4" shank bits, i now make it a rule to spend a tad more for 1/2" shank router bits, just because they'll inevitably last longer (barring any ugly run-ins with hidden nail heads!).  For higher end bits, i've gotten several crown moulding and lock mitre bits at lee valley and haven't been dissappointed.

   The bits i use most frequently are round overs, chamfer, and straight (1/4", 1/2", 3/4"), next would be rabbeting, flush trim (i have one with the bearing above the cutter and one with it below, and i use them both quite a bit), ogee, cove, and slot cutting, and after that would be larger bits like crown mouldings or specialty bits like dovetails. 

   And if you have a router - build a router table.  It'll triple the versatility of your router.  I was amazed at how much more i could do with it.

   Jesse David

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/13/2005 12:12 pm ET by JesseDavid

1. 
   naps2good | Jan 13, 2005 08:11pm | #2

   Thanks for the great advice. I was thinking 1/2" shank and I've been looking into Freud and CMT.

   Where can I get plans for a router table?

   What bits should I look for in sets?

    

   Thanks again

   Nap

1. 
   jes | Jan 13, 2005 08:26pm | #3

   I was editing my first reply when you replied to it, because i noticed that i hadn't really addressed your main question about which bits to get, so if you re-read now it tells you which bits i use most commonly.  As for router table plans, i made a modified version of a plan i had in an old shop jigs book (i can't remember the name of it now), but you can find plans in books, magazines, websites.   Some are very basic and some include every feature you could think of.  Personally, I'd suggest starting with a very simple router table, then once you've gotten used to it you could modify it or build a new one according to what features you think you would use.  I like to have a fairly large table surface, but it depends on what your going to be using it for.  The very main things are to make sure the table surface is very flat and that the router base or insert is mounted perfectly flush, and that the fence is strong and square and can be moved back and forth (or taken off) very easily.  Everything else is a matter of choice - like whether you have it on a large mobile cabinet base, ot just a couple of simple legs that can be clamped to a tabletop, or whether you want dust collection, a split fence, a mitre slot, a table mounted switch, etc etc.

   Hope that's helpfull...

    Jesse David

2. 
   Ribeye | Jan 15, 2005 10:32am | #6

   "Where can I get plans for a router table? "

   Some really good On-the-cheap plans can be found at http://www.apachetrail.com/ww/tools-jigs/rt/

   Those are not my plans... I just preserved them as a PDF file  from the original "tech manual" of the MCLS bit-vendor company (VERY good bits and very good company, btw!)

   Other table ideas are to build a table from the New Yankee Workshop program video or buy a Rockler or... (on and on and on and on...)

   A router table is absolutely indespensible as the correct adjunct for a router.  (Heck, it's nearly as - maybe even more than - important as having a table saw!)

   You might also want to check out the forum at http://www.routerforums.com/ -- Steve

   Enjoy life & do well by it;

   it might well be the only chance you get.

   http://www.ApacheTrail.com/ww/

2. 
   oldercdn | Jan 14, 2005 06:34pm | #4

   I know that it is a competitor's publication, but Shop Notes issues 1 and 78 both have router tables. Issue number 1 might be hard to find, but issue 78 was published in Nov 2004. Suggest looking in the local library for a start. Lee Valley also has some, but are pricey.

3. 
   MarkRD | Jan 14, 2005 10:28pm | #5

   I've been a regular user of MLCS router bits and been quite happy (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com)

   Straight bits and roundovers the ocassional flush trim bit (bearing on top)

   A router table is probably the best thing to do next. I have the porter -cable that can convert to a plunge base and I've probably used it in plunge mode twice in 10 years - my router spends most of it's time upside down

   Look for a book called "router projects and techniques" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1561580023/ref=sib_rdr_dp/104-3307360-1055902)

   I built my router table from the plans within... (as did my dad)

   Regards,
   Mark