First router + bits - recommendations?

[genkinyc]

I've heard good things about the Makita RT0701CX3, it comes with some bases and I can learn and see if I eventually need something bigger.

I don't want to go Ryobi on the bits, been there done that with a $20 drill bit set. No more crappy tools that I need to buy twice.

The best thing I did was join this forum and read up, i learned about Norseman drill bits - purchased a set last week and drilled through 316 stainless with some tap magic fluid and a M18 hand drill all day long. Wow what a difference a decently made drill bit makes.

So my point is that I want some starter router bits and old folks down the boatyard tell me that things in homeless despot are not the router bits that they know and love from back in the day..

So I looked at Whiteside, Bosch and Freud but I can't tell if one is more legit than the other.

Can you guys recommend a decent general starter bit set?

Thx

 

[kctyphoon]

I have some Freud. Have always been good for me. I'm not gonna sit here and pretend I'm making custom furniture all day, but my limited experience with them has always been good. Bosch would probably be good as well - they are typically known for making good drill bits, don't imagine the router bits would be any real deviation from that.. typically with stuff like this you get what you pay for.

As far as routers, any good model from the big names should work just fine. If you have any cordless tools, a couple brands do offer cordless hand held routers if you think that will suffice, but they are not full size router replacements. Depending what you plan to do with these, a good or decent clamping straight edge might be another consideration.

 

[Jmonnty]

What are you planning on doing with the router?

 

[tarbellb]

That looks like a great router, no experience with it personally but Makita typically puts out a good product (I have their 10" slider, track saw, biscuit cutter, beam saw, etc...)

I like the 1.25hp motor, big enough to hog out some real material and run big bits, but still manageable. Soft start, multiple bases, I think you will like it.

As for bits, honestly unless you are doing really fine furniture I think you might get away with one of those 30+ pc kits. Otherwise just buy exactly what you need, it gets expensive.

Freud and Whiteside are a safe bet, I would avoid Bosch unless it specifically says "made in Germany" or "USA", they have moved most of their consumables production to China.

Check www.woodpeck.com, www.leevalley.com

If you are looking for a good palm router next, check out the Ridgid, its excellent.

 

[Fbmoose48]

Whiteside bits above all else. Quality American manufactured tungsten carbide will make any router run better, and Whiteside is some of the best. They cost a little more, but when you have a near glass smooth finish without sanding you'll realize its worth it.

Don't buy a kit. You'll never use 3/4 of them and the odds of the ones you do shattering and sending Chinese pot metal everywhere are unnecessarily high. They also tend to cut wood like a dull butter knife.

 

[dogdog]

OP, I would buy a full size 1/2 1/4 capable collet router for pennies more. if you stick with any major brand, it would be fine, porta-cable, Craftsman pro(red ones), Ridgid, etc are all fine. just get one of those change-able base ones fix-base/plunge base. I have the HF trim router for smaller stuff... mainly trims and it worked fine.... Why 1/2 collets ? they are a bit stronger than 1/4 ones, stands up to a little abuse.. I remember a princess started a thread trashing some amazon 1/4 collet bits that it broke while he/she was routing aggressively... yea. Nothing stands up to monkey abuse.

as far as bits, I have the craftsman sets, the black&decker sets ( I think, might be a porta-cable one) and an unknown Ebay set that covers almost everything I needed. Do I needed an expensive set like whiteside, maybe, but as beginner goes, you'll probably burn up most bits while learning... but of cause that is IMO....

 

[trainer]

I'll go against the grain here and say get a set of cheap carbide bits off.ebay.
They work absolutely fine for me.

They don't randomly explode, but you do need to keep them clean and use your router properly.

 

[cgrutt]

No experience with Makita router but I suspect it's good like most of their other tools. Personally I use Bosch and Porter Cable routers. Not sure how Porter Cable is anymore but there old stuff was awesome. The three brands you mentioned are the same as what I own. They're all good. I also have some Carbide sets from Wood River and CMT. They're good as well. What kind of bits are you looking for and what will you be doing with them?

 

[6PTsocket]

I am surprised more people haven't discovered MLCS. It is a business devoted to all things router. They have their own routers, tables, every bit you have ever heard of, in economy and premium (Katana) lines. They have huge stock of accessories, bearings, reducers, speed controls, etc. Best of all, they have free shipping with no minimum. They also have friendly competent support. I have no connection with this company, just a happy customer. They have many bit sets to get you started

OP, I would buy a full size 1/2 1/4 capable collet router for pennies more. if you stick with any major brand, it would be fine, porta-cable, Craftsman pro(red ones), Ridgid, etc are all fine. just get one of those change-able base ones fix-base/plunge base. I have the HF trim router for smaller stuff... mainly trims and it worked fine.... Why 1/2 collets ? they are a bit stronger than 1/4 ones, stands up to a little abuse.. I remember a princess started a thread trashing some amazon 1/4 collet bits that it broke while he/she was routing aggressively... yea. Nothing stands up to monkey abuse.

as far as bits, I have the craftsman sets, the black&decker sets ( I think, might be a porta-cable one) and an unknown Ebay set that covers almost everything I needed. Do I needed an expensive set like whiteside, maybe, but as beginner goes, you'll probably burn up most bits while learning... but of cause that is IMO....

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[ez-duzit]

If you're in New York City find a real power tool store, instead of buying router bits online.

 

[Jon_E]

I have several routers, all but one are Bosch. The Bosch routers work well for larger projects, in a router table, or for extended use, and they all accept both 1/2" and 1/4" shank bits. However, the one I've been using the most lately is my DeWalt DW611PK compact router. It's a bit bigger than my Bosch trim router, but still is small and lightweight. The onboard LED light is a big plus. It easily handles any 1/4" bit I put in there.

I've used bits from over a dozen different manufacturers and I usually stick to Freud unless they don't have the type of bit I am looking for. Whiteside and CMT bits are premium quality at a premium cost. I would avoid a set of bits, just buy what you need and before you know it you'll have a whole case or rack full of high-quality bits.

 

[6PTsocket]

If you're in New York City find a real power tool store, instead of buying router bits online.

Having lived there for many years, I can tell you NYC is no hot bed of power tool stores. I ended up traveling out to Long Island. Across the river in NJ also has much better pickings. In a bygone era, lower Manhattan had many machine shops and suppliers to service them That is the M in long departed MSC. I remember several industrial hardware stores. They stocked JH Williams and Armstrong. Canal Street was the Harbor Freight of it's day with tons of surplus tools and electronics. All gone now.

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[dogdog]

If you're in New York City find a real power tool store, instead of buying router bits online.

Nothing much here in the city, the Rent is too Dam High...., EBAY bits does fine for me, unless I feel like a gorilla and try to chunk out a huge bit of the wood at once.... then the higher end bits would last a bit longer due to my abuse... of cause I would never admit that and just blame COO....


I have something similar like these... but older, set is a bit different...does what I needed + few speciality bits I needed, I get off Lowes/HD/ or local supplier or ordering it online..... why having a set is important sometimes...it give you a visual choice when routing something you don't know or unsure. unless you are very experienced and knows exactly what you are routing, sure go order what you needed.... but I don't 99.9% of the time, I like choices in front of me than online... but YMMV.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-80pc-1...m=172010280627&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851


But if OP is in NYC there was a high end wood working tool store posted some time back, it is in Brooklyn Gowanus area, next to costco , I remember looking them up but never actually went there...

https://toolsforworkingwood.com/

https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...d828ac0630654d!8m2!3d40.6616239!4d-74.0017062


Keep in mind, OP says he wanted to get a feel of routing stuff with routers.... IMO..... 1/4 collet is just not that great no matter who makes them for some jobs....... It have it's uses, but in general , getting a 1/4 1/2 capable router is better for general purpose routing and ...leave the smaller router for finer trim / detail works.

 

[dogdog]

Having lived there for many years, I can tell you NYC is no hot bed of power tool stores. I ended up traveling out to Long Island. Across the river in NJ also has much better pickings. In a bygone era, lower Manhattan had many machine shops and suppliers to service them That is the M in long departed MSC. I remember several industrial hardware stores. They stocked JH Williams and Armstrong. Canal Street was the Harbor Freight of it's day with tons of surplus tools and electronics. All gone now.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Yup all gone now, cause the yuppies moved in... now "The Rent is too Dam high!!!".

 

[thooks]

Bosch 1617VS Kit Will do 90% of what you will ever want.

Freud, Whiteside for bits. Stay away from cheap junk.

 

[Fbmoose48]

If you're in New York City find a real power tool store, instead of buying router bits online.

Power tool store is the wrong place to find a worthwhile variety of router bits, better off at a woodworking store like a Woodcraft or Rockler.

 

[Fbmoose48]

And Amazon has a better selection than either Woodcraft or Rockler for those of us that are internet inclined.

 

[ez-duzit]

And Amazon has a better selection than either Woodcraft or Rockler for those of us that are internet inclined.

And the internet has a better selection than Amazon. But a newbie needs hands-on advice.

 

[brothernov]

I'll second the recommendation to stick with Whiteside Bits. Freud is good too, but I prefer whiteside (or amana). And don't buy one of those worthless sets. You'll probably only use a fraction of them in your entire life, and the ones you do use will be junk. Buy a nice bit specific to the project your working on and over time you'll build a collecton of quality useful bits.

 

[Bdgjr215]

I am surprised more people haven't discovered MLCS. It is a business devoted to all things router. They have their own routers, tables, every bit you have ever heard of, in economy and premium (Katana) lines. They have huge stock of accessories, bearings, reducers, speed controls, etc. Best of all, they have free shipping with no minimum. They also have friendly competent support. I have no connection with this company, just a happy customer. They have many bit sets to get you started

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I've been going there for 15 years or so,Its only ten minutes from my house ,I bought there big router set years ago in1/2.and have never had a problem with any of there bits

 

[jsmeece]

I have the Milwaukee Plunge Router Kit 1-3/4 HP, Model# 5615-24, and I use Whiteside 1/2 shank bits. Could not be happier with the router and the bits cut like a hot knife thru butter. Just finished a small oak cabinet for my upstairs bathroom, the Whiteside bits were outstanding did not even have one single tearout.

 

[WWheeler]

Router for handheld use? Or in a table?
What kind of work do you want to be able to do with it?

As far as bits, most of what I'd say has already been said. Better off to buy just the bits you need as you go than a complete set, and any good brand will do. Most of mine are Freud or MLCS and they've been great.

I will admit that I did buy a Yonico raised panel set of Amazon a couple years ago, which are some of the lowest cost bits I've ran into, really just to see for myself how good / bad they were. I had a friend buy some after I tried convincing him to buy Freud instead and he wound up liking them. I really just wanted to show him the difference between a good and bad bit and the damn things disappointed me by not disappointing me.

I only built a dozen or so cabinet doors with those bits, so I can't speak a lot about their longevity especially the bearing life (though I have a good stock of extra bearings of many sizes anywho - even good bearings will fail sometimes), but I put them to work and couldn't find anything about them to complain about. I really figured I'd be able to show the flaws of cheap chinese carbide and bad angles, etc, but I experienced absolutely no chatter, tearout, etc issues and the rails & stiles fit together perfectly. They made a beautiful set of of doors.

All that said I would still hesitate to recommend Yonico bits to anyone, just as I probably won't buy any more of their bits mostly because they do tend to get mixed reviews on Amazon, probably for good reason, and I've learned over the years that I rarely if ever have any regrets buying the best quality, but have had MANY when I didn't.

 

[genkinyc]

Hey guys,
Lots of great advice here but I neglected to say what I will be routing. I will be using this for my sailboat restoration - small scale repairs. Teak, teak marine plywood, mahogany, white oak, maybe fiberglass.
The first use will be to round over the edges of some white oak 3" wide x 26" long so that I can cover it in fiberglass. Want to take the angle off so that the fiberglass can conform to it better.
The next use would be to trim new pieces of 1/2" marine plywood to pattern. Route out holes in fiberglass hull cored with wood to accept a new engine panel. You get the picture. The small laminate 1/4" routers seem ideal for this use case and easier to get into the smaller work in places.

 

[bob15]

Whiteside bits are second to none.

I have an older US made Porter Cable router I bought used. No issues. It came with both style base plates.

 

[Git]

So I looked at Whiteside, Bosch and Freud but I can't tell if one is more legit than the other.
Thx

I would not recommend buying a set. Just buy what you need

The three manufacturers are all good. I prefer Whiteside, but I also have Freud and Bosch bits (started out with Freud). You won't go wrong with either of those three. I usually buy from Amazon or Carbide Processors (no tax for me and use the discount code "creekers" for a discount, whichever is cheaper for me

I would suggest you take a look at the Makita CORDLESS router, I have one and have been very pleased with it. In fact, I usually keep a Whiteside round over bit in it

Makita makes some great cordless tools so if you don't have any at this point , this would be a great way to start

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/Searc...showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&pageView=

 

[ez-duzit]

...Route out holes in fiberglass hull cored with wood to accept a new engine panel...

Pretty certain you don't want to route any holes in the hull for an engine panel.

 

[genkinyc]

Phew close call !!
I'm glad you pointed that out, I damn nearly sank my boat.

Trying to find that real power tool store in NYC for my router bits, I hate to buy online when Manhattan is chock full of hipster artisan wood shops these days, all I need is a beard, some Dickies and a Japanese Ryoba woodsaw. Youtube channel next !!



Thx

 

[Fbmoose48]

There's a Woodcraft in Norwalk, CT. No closer Woodcraft or Rockler than that to NYC, although there may be something else. Woodcraft in Norwalk is worth the drive, they have a Woodworker's Guild as well - all the shop machines you could imagine available at an hourly rate and some classes too.

For the hardwoods, definitely go Whiteside. With the price per board foot that wood runs the cost of a premium bit is worth it.

 

[dogdog]

Phew close call !!
I'm glad you pointed that out, I damn nearly sank my boat.

Trying to find that real power tool store in NYC for my router bits, I hate to buy online when Manhattan is chock full of hipster artisan wood shops these days, all I need is a beard, some Dickies and a Japanese Ryoba woodsaw. Youtube channel next !!



Thx

If you are in NYC, go to that link I posted... they are in Brooklyn, very close to Costco.


https://toolsforworkingwood.com/

https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...d828ac0630654d!8m2!3d40.6616239!4d-74.0017062


I wouldn't use premium bits to route fiberglass...

 

[kctyphoon]

Do not goto Manhattan to buy "Router bits"... why on EARTH would anyone suggest that.. lol. I just spent 2 hours to go about 8 blocks on my way through the Holland Tunnel today. For what you will spend on tolls and parking - not to mention the hours spent doing this little trip... we have this fabulous thing call the internet where you can buy anything you want in less time than you can get one of the NYC parking meters to even accept your ******* credit card.

Goto Home Depot and move on with your life if you don't like shopping online.. Brooklyn ain't much better btw - and depending on what part it might be a good idea to bring an interpreter with you.

 

[dnschmidt]

Whiteside, CMT, Amana, Freud, Paso Robles Carbide and Southeast tool and Vertex for solid carbide spirals. MCLS, Woodline, & Magnate for decent Taiwanese bits at good prices. Take it from a guy that owns 30 routers. Hey, what can I tell you, I hate changing bits.

 

[Coach James]

My first set of router bits was a Skil set from Lowes.

Basically this set in a different case:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Skil-Router-Bit-Set/1059235

I've built cabinets, tables and several other things with them and zero problems. The ones I used often enough to dull, I bought better quality replacements.

Coach

 

[manwithtools]

Whiteside, CMT, Amana, Freud, Paso Robles Carbide and Southeast tool and Vertex for solid carbide spirals. MCLS, Woodline, & Magnate for decent Taiwanese bits at good prices. Take it from a guy that owns 30 routers. Hey, what can I tell you, I hate changing bits.

This, more routers are better. When I had my cabinet shop, I had 12 or so routers - each with its own jig and bit setup. I could prep a base or wall cabinet in about 5 minutes once all the parts were cut to size.