Looking for advice on buying router bits:
1. Buy an assortment package or bit-by-bit as the need arises?
2. Buy cheap or expensive?
3. Any suggestions on companies (i.e. MCLS)?
4. Have dull bits resharpened (where?) or buy new? (Probably related to #2)
Any help appreciated. Thanks!!
Paul
Replies
Depends on the assortment - Infinity has an assortment they put together after one of the Mags did an atricle on the 7 essential router bits - That one I would go with, otherwise buy on an as needed basis.
Buy expensive for those bits you will use regularly and buy inexpensive, but not cheap, for those one or two timers.
I like Infinity, CMT, Whiteside.
Sharpening - if it is a profile bit - replace. If it is a pattern bit - replace. in both of these cases, charpening can alter the profile or make the bit smaller than the bearing.
One at a time or a set of cutters?
Regrind? Prudent and maybe extend the life of the cutter x 5!
More on cutters.
Buy higher end bits. Go to your local wood working tool supplier, ask for a demo of different mfg. bits look at the cut and listen to how it cuts. Noisy bits leave chatter, and a smooth cutting bit is worth the exrtra money.
I also suggest you develope a relationship with your local supplier, they are a good source of info, and help.
Dan5
Amana is another good brand. If you have them reground, ask the guy what grit is used. 600 grit is better.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
I buy mine from woodline, good cheap and great guaranty. Never had a problem with them plus there reshapenable. I can buy a bit use the heck outta it get it resharpened and still save money over a high priced bit.
Sancho - Some of my Amana bits have been resharpened 5 times. I use MVP Sharpeners in Cypress Texas. Their sharpening is better than the factory grind.
I have never gotten a nick in any of my Amana bits.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
1) As needed, unless a top quality vendor has a super deal on bits you are likely to use in the next 24 months.
2) Avoid cheap bits, get good ones
3) I get Ridge, Lee Valley, some CMT; haven't tried MLCS yet. Some Amana bits, some from Leigh. No longer buying Grizzly bits (they break).
4) I do some touch up honing by hand; I'm close to Ridge and Forrest so if the need arises, I would take bits to them.
I've had excellent results and satisfaction with Whiteside. I've got mixed reviews about CMT. Their shaping bits have been fine, but I have a few "sets", that aren't. My cope and stick sets (I have 3 from them) aren't real good matches. I always have to do some trimming, because they weren't mated properly. My 1 Whiteside set gets the job done real nice.
Jeff
I bought a CMT 1/8" carbide spiral that wasn't 1/8": it was only .120" in diameter. 'really through off the inlay work I was trying to use it for.
I've got over 250 router bits, Amana, Whiteside, CMT, Freud, and a handful of Jesada.
I like the Whiteside the most but the others are very good.
Like someone else mentioned, my whiteside stick and cope do a fantastic job.
I don't like the sets because it seam like there are bits in there that you'll never use. I'd buy them individually.
Doug
1) Buy the shapes/sizes you need.
2 & 3) Buy quality. I prefer Whiteside, others have mentioned Amana and Ridge.
4) Resharpen. A good sharpening firm will tell you when a bit's too shot to be worth it. I use a local firm, Jameson's. Ask a couple of cabinet shops in your area where the get their stuff sharpened.
I'm a fan of Frued for the price. Check out http://www.routerbitworld.com for great prices. This is the site recommended by the US distributor. At half the price of what the other big names are locally, buying twice as many bits makes more sense for my situation. If I wear out a Frued it will probably get replaced with something better, but for the first round they are hard to beat.
Don
With larger bits, quality is a safety measure, and with smaller bits, you don't pay all that much extra for quality.
That said, cheaper bits can work well, though they would not make sense in a situation where the down time to change bits would cost you more than the bit. Inexpensive sets let you use a variety: if they wear out, you know those are profiles useful to you. Replacement with a pricier bit lets you judge the difference yourself.
Reading the pithy comments of Pat Warner (linked above) is useful. Of particular relevance to those of us trying to stretch our dollars are the ones on extending life of sharp bits by hogging out the waste with one bit, and removing only a little with the sharpest to leave the best finish. On the cheap this takes extra time, but even in production mode it might make sense with multiple routers.
Edited 12/19/2005 11:14 am by AlanWS
I have been happy with CMT and Eagle American. I usually buy CMT because there is a local vendor if they don't have a bit I want I mailorder it from Eagle American. Becareful of cheep no name bits I had a 1/4 inch strait bit snap of and bounce off my face shield while I was routing a hing mortice (very shallow cut and I was not forcing the bit at all) In the proverbial words of my mother "You could of poked your eye out. As far as sets go I prefer to buy the bits as I need them.
Good luck
Troy
I use BIG BOX bits for most operations.. I rarely have a problem with them.. Cheap so I just get a new box..
For 'important' projects I use Whitesides.. To expensive for me to use for everything..
This year on a 'whim' I got a set of Hickory brand 1/2 inch shank bits.. 24 for about $45.00 ?? (About that).. For the price.. Great bits!
They work nice but sure NOT Whitesides!
I have used MLCS bits for years. They perform equally as well as some more expensive bits I have used. I touch them up with a diamond hone. Art
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