DD

David

19/12/2005 10:03 AM

Are MLCS or Katana router bits on a par with Amana, CMT, Bosch...?

Recently received a catalog from MLCS. There's some bits I'm considering
purchasing from MLCS that I don't believe are available in my usual
brands (CMT, Freud, and Bosch).

I've had bad luck with Woodline and Viper.

Dave


This topic has 8 replies

Aa

"Andy"

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 1:43 PM

I started my collection with the MLCS 15-piece set. I've been very
happy with it - cuts are smooth, no complaints except a broken 1/4"
straight bit. I was making a 3/8" deep cut in oak with that bit and it
snapped off - called MLCS, and they sent me a new one right away. I've
since added a few bits by Amana and Infinity that are heavier and
nicer, but I'd agree that MLCS bits are more than sufficient for light
use, and their customer service is great. They are FAR better than the
chinese-import 50-piece sets for $50 that you see on ebay or at HF or
whatever - a friend has a set of those, and there's no comparison.
Have fun routing,
Andy

Aa

"Andy"

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 1:44 PM

Follow up to my previous post - the set I have from MLCS is their
standard anniversary kit (gray bits), not the Katana line.
Andy

gr

"gadgetman"

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 3:59 PM

I have bought a lot of MLCS bits and they have been adequate with no
defects. I also buy the Katana which are obvously (to me) a much
higher quality bit and seem to equal or exceed the amana and other high
end bits I have purchased.
I think MLCS has great customer service and they have stood by their
warrantly better than anybody for me.

MBR

Pp

"Pat"

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 9:58 PM

The Katana bits are higher in cost than the regular MLCS bits. I have a few
of the K bits and like them a lot. I think they are equal in quality to the
Freud and Bosch bits. I have no experience with CMT bits.

"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Recently received a catalog from MLCS. There's some bits I'm considering
> purchasing from MLCS that I don't believe are available in my usual brands
> (CMT, Freud, and Bosch).
>
> I've had bad luck with Woodline and Viper.
>
> Dave

er

evodawg

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 9:55 PM

David wrote:

> Recently received a catalog from MLCS. There's some bits I'm considering
> purchasing from MLCS that I don't believe are available in my usual
> brands (CMT, Freud, and Bosch).
>
> I've had bad luck with Woodline and Viper.
>
> Dave

I have had great luck with them. I also own one of their plunge routers 3
1/4 horse I believe which I have mounted in a table with a router razor,
works great with no complaints. I would not touch Woodline with a ten foot
pole.
I remember meeting this guy at a wood show and in one hand he had woodline
router bits and in the other Forrest saw blade. I had to stop and ask him
of the contrast in quality he was carrying? I said you bought the best
blade on the market but the worst router bits. Before he left he brought
back the router bits.

Rich
--
"you can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"

er

evodawg

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 10:32 PM

David wrote:

> For some inexplicable reason, ONE regular poster here has admitted he
> likes Woodline bits. I can't for the life of me understand that, as he
> is undoubtedly a more accomplished woodworker than myself. My guess is
> that he's purchased vastly different bits than the ones I got from
> Woodline and he owns no other mfgr's identical bits to compare them to.
>
> Dave

He's probably the owner of Woodline cause that's the only one I know that
would give them a passing grade. I met him a couple of times and the guy is
a real asshole. I remember being at a wood show and he was insisting his
bits where made in the US. This was years ago and I called him on it while
he had probably 20 people in front of his cash register. The guy went
ballistic and we got into a shouting match. I think now he has to disclose
that they are made in China. But this guy is the biggest self absorbed
asshole I have ever met.
--
"you can lead them to LINUX
but you can't make them THINK"

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 9:22 PM


"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Recently received a catalog from MLCS. There's some bits I'm considering
> purchasing from MLCS that I don't believe are available in my usual brands
> (CMT, Freud, and Bosch).
>
> I've had bad luck with Woodline and Viper.
>
> Dave

For occasional use I would say they are OK. I would not compare them to
those you mentioned for average to heavy use. If I needed a special "I need
to use the bit 1 or 2 times" I would go with the Kantana if it was cheaper,
which I believe it would be.

DD

David

in reply to David on 19/12/2005 10:03 AM

19/12/2005 2:15 PM

evodawg wrote:

> David wrote:
>
>
>>Recently received a catalog from MLCS. There's some bits I'm considering
>>purchasing from MLCS that I don't believe are available in my usual
>>brands (CMT, Freud, and Bosch).
>>
>>I've had bad luck with Woodline and Viper.
>>
>>Dave
>
>
> I have had great luck with them. I also own one of their plunge routers 3
> 1/4 horse I believe which I have mounted in a table with a router razor,
> works great with no complaints. I would not touch Woodline with a ten foot
> pole.
> I remember meeting this guy at a wood show and in one hand he had woodline
> router bits and in the other Forrest saw blade. I had to stop and ask him
> of the contrast in quality he was carrying? I said you bought the best
> blade on the market but the worst router bits. Before he left he brought
> back the router bits.
>
> Rich
I agree Rich, the Woodline has so far been the most inferior brand of
bit I've gotten ahold of. I wouldn't wish them on anyone. they leave
ragged edges, and it's hard to push them through the wood. I have one
Bosch bit of the same size as one of the Woodlines; it goes through the
same wood with about 1/2 the effort and it leaves a much neater edge.

I had 2 Viper bits in a row (purchased over a year apart), that wobbled
noticeably. I've since gambled on a third Viper bit, a small core box,
which seems so far, to be usable.

For some inexplicable reason, ONE regular poster here has admitted he
likes Woodline bits. I can't for the life of me understand that, as he
is undoubtedly a more accomplished woodworker than myself. My guess is
that he's purchased vastly different bits than the ones I got from
Woodline and he owns no other mfgr's identical bits to compare them to.

Dave


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