There have been quite a few 50 piece (made in China) router bit sets on eBay
lately and since I picked up a set, I thought I'd give a mini-review.
I paid about $50 including tax and shipping, so a buck a bit. Or eight bits
per bit for those colonial money history buffs.
Overall, they are inline with typical "Made in China" products. They work,
but don't expect perfection. On the positive side, the carbide is very
close to normal thickness and is brazed on cleanly. No rust on shafts.
Sharpeness is "so so" based on subjective comparision to Amana, whiteside,
etc. Comes with a basic case not particularly well made but serves the
purpose. Nice labels.
On the negative side, one roman ogee bit had a very small nick on one cutter
which left a small ridge. Since it was only on one cutter yet still left a
ridge that begs the question if the two cutters are aligned. Another
negative is that the bearings are not as smooth and tight as brand name
bits. I noticed some small vibration of the wood resting on the bearing
when the cutter slowed to a stop.
Would I buy another set? Sure.
-- Mark
I've had a 50 PC set for about 6 months and have found that most bits work
well enough if used on a limited basis. The trim bits with bearings do not
have the life (nor sharpness) of , say a Whiteside product, but various
round over and ogee bits that are used to finish a piece or two do the job.
My only caution is that one should double check the bits with pilot bearings
before use. The set comes with an Allen wrench and it's well worth the time
to check each bit to ensure that the screw is tight in the bit. Had one
experience with a pilot bearing coming loose and it can really spoil a job
in short order.
"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 16:59:29 -0700, "Mark Morin" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> SO would I... as in HF stuff... it's cool as long as you get what you
> pay for and don't have of high quality at bargain prices..
>
> For people like me that don't do a lot of routing, it's an affordable
> way to get an assortment of bits, and if they wear out quickly, they
> get tossed without guilt.. *g*
>
> >There have been quite a few 50 piece (made in China) router bit sets on
eBay
> >lately and since I picked up a set, I thought I'd give a mini-review.
> >
> >I paid about $50 including tax and shipping, so a buck a bit. Or eight
bits
> >per bit for those colonial money history buffs.
> >
> >Overall, they are inline with typical "Made in China" products. They
work,
> >but don't expect perfection. On the positive side, the carbide is very
> >close to normal thickness and is brazed on cleanly. No rust on shafts.
> >Sharpeness is "so so" based on subjective comparision to Amana,
whiteside,
> >etc. Comes with a basic case not particularly well made but serves the
> >purpose. Nice labels.
> >
> >On the negative side, one roman ogee bit had a very small nick on one
cutter
> >which left a small ridge. Since it was only on one cutter yet still left
a
> >ridge that begs the question if the two cutters are aligned. Another
> >negative is that the bearings are not as smooth and tight as brand name
> >bits. I noticed some small vibration of the wood resting on the bearing
> >when the cutter slowed to a stop.
> >
> >Would I buy another set? Sure.
> >
> >-- Mark
> >
>
>
>
> Mac
On Fri, 24 Sep 2004 13:04:26 -0400, "TEF" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I've had a 50 PC set for about 6 months and have found that most bits work
>well enough if used on a limited basis. The trim bits with bearings do not
>have the life (nor sharpness) of , say a Whiteside product, but various
>round over and ogee bits that are used to finish a piece or two do the job.
>My only caution is that one should double check the bits with pilot bearings
>before use. The set comes with an Allen wrench and it's well worth the time
>to check each bit to ensure that the screw is tight in the bit. Had one
>experience with a pilot bearing coming loose and it can really spoil a job
>in short order.
>
>
or a needed and loved BODY PART!
I double check every thing..
IMHO, when you stop being mildly afraid of your tools, you start
damaging or losing body parts.. mine are kinda used and wrinkled, but
I still want 'em intact..
Mac
On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 16:59:29 -0700, "Mark Morin" <[email protected]>
wrote:
SO would I... as in HF stuff... it's cool as long as you get what you
pay for and don't have of high quality at bargain prices..
For people like me that don't do a lot of routing, it's an affordable
way to get an assortment of bits, and if they wear out quickly, they
get tossed without guilt.. *g*
>There have been quite a few 50 piece (made in China) router bit sets on eBay
>lately and since I picked up a set, I thought I'd give a mini-review.
>
>I paid about $50 including tax and shipping, so a buck a bit. Or eight bits
>per bit for those colonial money history buffs.
>
>Overall, they are inline with typical "Made in China" products. They work,
>but don't expect perfection. On the positive side, the carbide is very
>close to normal thickness and is brazed on cleanly. No rust on shafts.
>Sharpeness is "so so" based on subjective comparision to Amana, whiteside,
>etc. Comes with a basic case not particularly well made but serves the
>purpose. Nice labels.
>
>On the negative side, one roman ogee bit had a very small nick on one cutter
>which left a small ridge. Since it was only on one cutter yet still left a
>ridge that begs the question if the two cutters are aligned. Another
>negative is that the bearings are not as smooth and tight as brand name
>bits. I noticed some small vibration of the wood resting on the bearing
>when the cutter slowed to a stop.
>
>Would I buy another set? Sure.
>
>-- Mark
>
Mac