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Router bits: higher the price, higher the quality?

COL911

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Dec 22, 2012
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Virginia Beach VA
Does it pay to buy high quality/price bits or are the box store brands, like Ryobi ok for occasional projects? Trying to get a feel for the options: cheap imports, Harbor Freight, box store brands, carbide, etc. thanks in advance.
 
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tjdux

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Feb 4, 2014
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Southern Nebraska
I dont have many bits and i cannot comment on anything high end as i just haven't felt the need to spend big bucks one bits.

The advice i got when i first purchased my router was to get a big mix box off ebay/amazon. Like a 25-50 peice set. They sell carbide tipped bits for around 1~2.50 per bit.

Then use those and which ever bits you wear out quickly or use the most that's what you should consider purchasing higher quality versions of.

Now does that equal out to a $100 bit being that much better than a $10 bit.... Thats a good question and from what ive read online is you will probably get a ton of different answers all over the board.

But from my perosnal experience if your just beginning to use a router get a cheap bit set and go from there.

Here is something similar to what i picked up.

35 ROUTER BIT SET - 1/2" CARBIDE BITS KIT Half Inch Shank ALUMINUM CASE - New https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OBQ88C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Now I should mention most of what i work with is pine and plywood. Hardwood is gonna be different story i feel. I assume it will dull all bit quicker and these cheap one quicker yet.

Also these blanket kits are not for special stuff. Its not going to have finger glue joints bits and special door panel or picture frame molding bits. But they really dont make those special bits on cheap, cheap price range often.

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6PTsocket

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Mar 12, 2014
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Check out MLCS. They are router central. They have all kinds of sets, a premium and an economy line and individual bits in every configuration known to man. They have an extensive line of router accessories, free shipping and no minimum. They are also helpful. Call for help with your purchase. Premium bits usually have more (resharpenable) and higher grade carbide on the cutters plus better quality construction. For quality bits, US made Whiteside is a very good brand and not unreasonably priced for a quality bit. Keeping your bits clean and free of resin build up extends their life, too. Big box store brands do not impress me as good bang for the buck. Somebody goes in there needing a particular bit NOW and will over pay for a mediocre bit.

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PCustoms

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VT
Generally more $$ gets you a better bit, with a better carbide, better bearing and better balance.

It its a "1 off" job, or on softwood, the ryobi will be fine. I have a set of round overs that I have used quite a bit.

When you get into comprehensive shapes or hardwood is when the better bits really pay off. Sanding a burned spot out of a profile in oak *****, and a dull wobbly bit will give you a lot of these!

Iirc Whiteside is a really good bit for not much more then the box store. Just got to plan an order. There's also Amana tool, used to run some of their spiral flute cutting composite and they seem to last pretty well without breaking the bank.
 

Git

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Whiteside (made in North Carolina)

I am not a big fan of buying a 'boxed set' because there are probably some bits that you will never use

If you really want to buy a set, the "experts" believe you need these 10 bits
http://www.finewoodworking.com/2006/09/01/10-essential-router-bits

SET INCLUDES:

1/4" Straight - 1/4" Cut Length - 1/4" Shank (#1014)
1/2" Straight - 1-1/2” Cut Length - 1/2" Shank (#1069)
1/2" Cut Length Rabbeting - 1/2" Shank (#1954)
45 Degree Chamfer - 5/8” Cut Length - 1/2" Shank (#2305)
1/2" Diameter -10 Degree Dovetail - 1/2" Shank (#D1055)
3/8" Solid Carbide Spiral Upcut - 1-1/4” Cut Length - 1/2" Shank (#RU4900)
1/2" Flush Trim - 1-1/2” Cut Length - 1/2" Shank (#2407)
3/8" Radius Cove - 1/2” Cut Length - 1/2" Shank (#1804)
1/4" Radius Roundover - 1/2" Cut Length - 1/2" Shank (#2006)
1/4" 3-wing Slot Cutter (#6710A)
Slot Cutter Arbor 1/2" Shank (A210b)
B3, B7, & B8 Bearings, and a 3/32" Hex Key

I should add that I am a big Whiteside fan - but I never did buy their kit. Here it is on sale for $229:
http://www.woodpeck.com/whiteside10set.html

If you want to read a Fine WoodWorking test of 17 different brands of bits, here is the link:
http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/ToolTestRouterBits.pdf

I hate to admit that I have one Whiteside bit that I paid over $150 for it on sale (haven't even had a chance to use it yet) The "Ultimate Combination Trim Bit" It's for my router table and is a monster
 

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tarmy

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Nor Cal
Generally more $$ gets you a better bit, with a better carbide, better bearing and better balance.

It its a "1 off" job, or on softwood, the ryobi will be fine. I have a set of round overs that I have used quite a bit.

When you get into comprehensive shapes or hardwood is when the better bits really pay off. Sanding a burned spot out of a profile in oak *****, and a dull wobbly bit will give you a lot of these!

Iirc Whiteside is a really good bit for not much more then the box store. Just got to plan an order. There's also Amana tool, used to run some of their spiral flute cutting composite and they seem to last pretty well without breaking the bank.

This...I built my bit set one or two good quality bits at a time.

Get 1/2 shank if you really are going to use them. Some of my bits are 30 plus years old...used in Oak constantly...and they run fine.

A good router helps too...variable speed so that you minimize burn or tear out....and so you can adjust to material removal needs.

If you are making cabinets...get a good set of bits in a set....those run a few bucks...but a single cabinet set can pay those off in savings having someone build the doors...

Good luck.

View attachment 655420
 
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Kaizen

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New England
When the wood you are building with gets expensive you find more of a need for a good bit that won't burn the wood or tear out.


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6PTsocket

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This...I built my bit set one or two good quality bits at a time.

Get 1/2 shank if you really are going to use them. Some of my bits are 30 plus years old...used in Oak constantly...and they run fine.

A good router helps too...variable speed so that you minimize burn or tear out....and so you can adjust to material removal needs.

If you are making cabinets...get a good set of bits in a set....those run a few bucks...but a single cabinet set can pay those off in savings having someone build the doors...

Good luck.

View attachment 655420
If you are using plywood for those cabinets and cutting dadoes with the router, that is another few bits, since plywood is always smaller than the nominal size.

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tarmy

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If you are using plywood for those cabinets and cutting dadoes with the router, that is another few bits, since plywood is always smaller than the nominal size.

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Yep...if you look at my photo, you will see some bits marked by 32nds increments. If you need to "let" in the plywood or rabbit it for any reason...more bits!!!

And, the good folks at the lumber mill keep on shrinking the nominal size...so more bits...those jerks.
 
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Empty Pockets

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Thanks to GIT for posting the review on 17 different brands.

Almost 30 years ago, I ran the formica department in a large local cabinet shop. The router bits that we had were almost exclusively Bosch and Ammana.

The only material we were routing was Plastic Laminate (Formica), Red Oak and Cherry. The plastic laminate would dull the bits in short order, while the oak and cherry would last quite some time. All of these bits would stand up to multiple sharpenings.

I have mostly Ammana and Bosch bits in my shop, but I have 2 small MLCS bits and 2 Jesada door kits. All brands have been serviceable, but in the interest of fairness, the MLCS bits have seen limited use.
 

cheechi

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Feb 29, 2012
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Triad, NC
If I need a bit for a given purpose, I will look to Whiteside, Bosch, Freud, & Amana in that order. Not because one is better than others, I feel that's the order of cost/benefit ratio to me. Amana make very nice, very expensive bits typically theirs are what I go to if I need something very large.

You want 1/2" shank bits in every situation you can, except some sizes of dovetail don't make sense to have a shank bigger than the cutting radius. Although many other bits the cutting radius doesn't matter if it's smaller, dovetail jigs are funny about that.

The sets of router bits are not ideal because they typically are all 1/4" shank, although many now have carbide they are lower quality, quite a lot are still HSS, either way can't be sharpened more than once or twice and half the time need to be sharpened out of the box.

Skil, Ryobi, Craftsman, HF, Irwin, etc sets are more or less all the same exact thing. In fact, Skil, Craftsman & Ryobi 30pc sets are the exact same set with different coloured paint.

That said, I picked up one of those multi bit sets many years ago for a great cheap price and keep it if I need to test something out or as a backup. Sometimes the palm router fits places others don't, it is good to have 1/4" bits around in case. That said you probably don't need more than a chamfer, straight with & without bearings (in other words at least 3 straights), roundovers, maybe a keyhole & cove. That pretty much covers it.
 

MO-Iron

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Dec 17, 2008
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155
Location
SW Missouri
I believe that Whiteside is the best bang for the buck. I also use some Bosch because there is good selection sold 5 miles from my shop. Amana is also a very quality product, but I can buy Whiteside cheaper.
 

LeeG

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Nov 29, 2012
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Location
Phoenix, AZ
Not specifically about router bits, but if you are really interested in using a router to its fullest, check out Pat Warner's website..

As far as bit go, I have had great results with Whiteside, Amana, and Freud. Regardless of the bit, you will get better results if you don't try to take off too much in a single pass.
 
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