I am going to make new kitchen cabinet doors for my sister-in-law. I plan to make the stiles and rails out of maple and the panel with 5/8 MDF.
The router bits I have had the best results with have been CMT and Whiteside. Both are expensive compared to some. The MDF is going to do a number on the sharpness of any that I may use. Woodworkers Supply has a Woodtek brand and I am not sure of the quality. They are about half the cost of Whiteside. Anyone have any recommendations.
Also, as I have mentioned, I want to use 5/8 MDF for the panels which means the cove cut can only be 3/8. Most bits show a cut of 1/2. Has anyone made cove cut raised panels out of 5/8 stock? If so, how do you get the 3/8 cut and have a pronounced ridge at the top of the cove? I might also mention that I do not want to use the vertical panel bits.
Replies
You may want to check what people have to say about the Lee Valley router bits
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=18903.1
I get mine at routerbits.com. The selection is staggering, and the prices, even after shipping, are usually a little better than I can find locally. Sometimes a lot better. They ship pretty quickly, too.
Using the price/value approach, I've never been able to beat MLCS for router bits. Check them out at:
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/
In fact, I just ordered a matched rail & stile set and a panel-raising bit for a project similar to yours. I already had an ogee set, but want to use a cove profile for this project. I've had good results with all the bits I've purchased from them over the years. Unless you're a commercial shop employing a bunch of gorillas that beat the snot out of your bits all day long, I'd go with anything from MLCS. They also handle the Katana brand at higher prices than their house brand, but I've never used any of them.
Bill Arnold
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Thanks to all of you for your input. I will do some due dilligence now and get that bit I need.
Cool
You are already using top of the line bits (CMT, Whiteside), and if this rail and stile set will be something you will use again and again, I would urge you to buy at this same level.
However, if you need the r/s set for this one kitchen, and you are uncertain if this style of door will be something you will return to frequently -- by all means go with a cheaper set.
nikkiwood,
Thanks for the advise. I had already found the 5/8 panel raising bit in Eagle America.
I have not used Eagle America bits. Would you put them in the "one job" class?
No, I think they are better than that. I have always thought of them as mid-level bits -- better than the cheap imports, but not as good as the top of the line stuff.
But you know how this is -- it's all a matter of personal perception. I have a flock of Eagle bits, which for me, are in the "occasionally used" category.
<<< "Also, as I have mentioned, I want to use 5/8 MDF for the panels which means the cove cut can only be 3/8. Most bits show a cut of 1/2. Has anyone made cove cut raised panels out of 5/8 stock? If so, how do you get the 3/8 cut and have a pronounced ridge at the top of the cove? I might also mention that I do not want to use the vertical panel bits.">>>
Many manufacturers carry raised panel bits made specifically for 5/8" stock. Eagle-America is one:
http://www.eagle-america.com/html/catalog/productgroup.asp?id=332732
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