I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
first use?
Thank you
"SBH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
>play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
>on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
>Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
>as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
>recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
>first use?
>
> Thank you
I agree with the recommendation of Grizzly. They have 2 grades of bits.
Try the "cheap" ones.
MLCS is another source. http://tinyurl.com/yfdt35o
Max
"SBH" wrote:
>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits
>to play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in
>my stock on a more frequent basis.
-----------------------------------------------------
IMHO, you can't get there from here.
You might buy a set of basic (1/4,3/8,1/2) cove, round over, and
straight bits, maybe even a couple of beading bits.
After that, buy them on an as needed basic.
I've had good luck with infinity in Tampa area.
Check out their "Overstock" prices.
http://tinyurl.com/y89khx3
Lew
"SBH" wrote:
=============================
> That's what I have done, which is why I have the Freuds and
> Whiteside, but recently I wanted to experiment with the roundover
> and I'm not sure what size to get and stick with.
==========================
You lost me.
-----------------------------------------
Therefore, I thought maybe a set containing a
> few roundovers, then I can choose what I like the best or, at least
> know what to buy in a better grade when I know I'll be using it
> again on better wood.
-------------------------------
I practice the following:
Garbage wood, garbage bits.
Quality wood, quality bits.
If you want to experiment, try some poplar.
As far as mixed brands of bits, who cares.
OTOH, there is no place for junk bits, IMHO.
Have fun.
Lew
"SBH" <[email protected]> wrote in news:[email protected]:
> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits
> to play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in
> my stock on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from
> Rockler and Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the
> better grades such as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally.
> Therefore, can someone recommend a variety set of bits which won't
> bust the bank and won't bust at first use?
>
> Thank you
>
>
I've got a Ryobi set from HD. Looks like HD doesn't sell them any longer,
but it was a 20-ish bit set with various sizes of straight, cove, and
rabbiting bits. I've used most of them, and would recommend such a set. I
think the whole thing cost around $60-70.
Mine have 1/2" shafts, and the ones showing on the HD site show 1/4"
shafts.
Puckdropper
In article <[email protected]>, SBH <[email protected]> wrote:
> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
> play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
> on a more frequent basis.
Why don't you spend some time with pencil and paper sketching profiles
that you might want to use on a frequent basis, and then decide what
bits you may need to create them?
On Jan 5, 5:19=A0pm, "SBH" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
> play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stoc=
k
> on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
> Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades suc=
h
> as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someon=
e
> recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust =
at
> first use?
>
> Thank you
First you need to establish what direction your projects are going to
take. If you're going to make cabinet doors or jewelry boxes. Buy good
ones you _know_ you're going to use often, then a cheap set for
fooling around. I sometimes end up with sets of 24 or 36 bits if I
just cannot refuse the deal. Most often along with another order of
stuff. Then I use the straight bits and maybe a couple more, but those
cheap ones will never go near anything that is important to me as
bearings have been known to fail, ruining a job.
On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:19:49 -0500, "SBH" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
>play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
>on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
>Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
>as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
>recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
>first use?
>
>Thank you
>
Whiteside is the preferred brand. You'll save money by NOT buying
sets and buying only the bits you currently need. The 1/2" shank
usually costs a little more, but worth it.
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "SBH" wrote:
>
>>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
>>play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
>>on a more frequent basis.
> -----------------------------------------------------
> IMHO, you can't get there from here.
>
> You might buy a set of basic (1/4,3/8,1/2) cove, round over, and straight
> bits, maybe even a couple of beading bits.
>
> After that, buy them on an as needed basic.
>
That's what I have done, which is why I have the Freuds and Whiteside, but
recently I wanted to experiment with the roundover and I'm not sure what
size to get and stick with. Therefore, I thought maybe a set containing a
few roundovers, then I can choose what I like the best or, at least know
what to buy in a better grade when I know I'll be using it again on better
wood.
SBH wrote:
> "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "SBH" wrote:
>>
>>> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router
>>> bits to play around with and determine what I will really want to
>>> keep in my stock on a more frequent basis.
>> -----------------------------------------------------
>> IMHO, you can't get there from here.
>>
>> You might buy a set of basic (1/4,3/8,1/2) cove, round over, and
>> straight bits, maybe even a couple of beading bits.
>>
>> After that, buy them on an as needed basic.
>>
> That's what I have done, which is why I have the Freuds and
> Whiteside, but recently I wanted to experiment with the roundover and
> I'm not sure what size to get and stick with.
What size wood? If 3/4" you are likely to use a 3/8" radius bit most
frequently, 1/4" occasionally.
In addition to those I have 1/16, 1/8 and 3/4. I use the 3/4 once in a
while, the 1/8 rarely. I've never used the 1/16 (it was part of an auction
lot) and likely never will...easier to use a plane and/or sandpaper.
Buy 2-3 decent bits suitable for the stock you use, forget others unless you
really, really need them - not likely you will.
--
dadiOH
____________________________
dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:19:49 -0500, "SBH" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
>play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
>on a more frequent basis. Therefore, can someone recommend a variety
> set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at first use?
Problem is, a good set will cost the bank, likely more that you're
presently willing to pay. Since you feel that you're still in the
experimentation stage, I'd suggest buying a few cheap ones at a time
and experimenting with those until they wear our or burn themselves
beyond use.
Go through a few bit listings and pick out a few that seem interesting
to use on some project. Most listings show what kind of cut the bits
will make.
"Steve Turner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 01/06/2010 07:39 AM, dadiOH wrote:
>> SBH wrote:
>>> ... but recently I wanted to experiment with the roundover and
>>> I'm not sure what size to get and stick with.
>>
>> What size wood? If 3/4" you are likely to use a 3/8" radius bit most
>> frequently, 1/4" occasionally.
>>
>> In addition to those I have 1/16, 1/8 and 3/4. I use the 3/4 once in a
>> while, the 1/8 rarely. I've never used the 1/16 (it was part of an
>> auction
>> lot) and likely never will...easier to use a plane and/or sandpaper.
>
> For those situations where a small round-over is needed, I often find it
> *much* faster (and a lot more fun) to just use a "SlickPlane":
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-W1100-Slickplane/dp/B0000DD0TK
>
> The price is ridiculously low for a device that works as well as it does,
> and you can put a 1/8" or 1/4" round-over down the length of a four foot
> board in less than thirty seconds, as fast or faster than a router even if
> it's all set up and ready to go.
>
I like the Slick Plane but it only works in a straight line. I made a wine
rack which will require a bit for the circles.
On Jan 5, 5:44=A0pm, dpb <[email protected]> wrote:
> SBH wrote:
> > I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits t=
o
> > play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my st=
ock
> > on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
> > Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades s=
uch
> > as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can some=
one
> > recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bus=
t at
> > first use?
>
> Any number of places have "starter sets" of relative sizes and costs;
> I'd think any would be adequate to simply play with unless you're
> talking about playing w/ sugar maple or some such and expecting
> perfection at the same time.
>
> I've never bought anything except what I've wanted/needed; primarily
> Amana and Whiteside so no direct hands on to go by. =A0But, the Griz
> generally gets good marks on controlling quality at least reasonably at
> moderate cost; might give that a look.
>
> Others may have other ideas...
>
> --
Amana is certainly all there.
Carbide.com has excellent pricing on bits.
>Therefore, can someone recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
>first use?
I vaguely remember reading a review of router bits in FWW (?) within
the last few years, which rated Oldham bits fairly well. You can get
these at HD pretty cheap, I don't know if they have sets.
I might be wrong though. Just ask my wife.
-Zz
"Zz Yzx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >Therefore, can someone recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust
> >the bank and won't bust at
>>first use?
>
> I vaguely remember reading a review of router bits in FWW (?) within
> the last few years, which rated Oldham bits fairly well. You can get
> these at HD pretty cheap, I don't know if they have sets.
>
> I might be wrong though. Just ask my wife.
>
> -Zz
I *did* ask your wife. She says you're right, you're wrong.
:-)
SBH wrote:
> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
> play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
> on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
> Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
> as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
> recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
> first use?
Any number of places have "starter sets" of relative sizes and costs;
I'd think any would be adequate to simply play with unless you're
talking about playing w/ sugar maple or some such and expecting
perfection at the same time.
I've never bought anything except what I've wanted/needed; primarily
Amana and Whiteside so no direct hands on to go by. But, the Griz
generally gets good marks on controlling quality at least reasonably at
moderate cost; might give that a look.
Others may have other ideas...
--
On 1/5/2010 7:36 PM, Max wrote:
> "SBH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits
>> to play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in
>> my stock on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from
>> Rockler and Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the
>> better grades such as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally.
>> Therefore, can someone recommend a variety set of bits which won't
>> bust the bank and won't bust at first use?
>>
>> Thank you
>
> I agree with the recommendation of Grizzly. They have 2 grades of bits.
> Try the "cheap" ones.
> MLCS is another source. http://tinyurl.com/yfdt35o
>
> Max
I've used MLCS many times. Large selection, decent bits, good prices, and fast
shipping, even when it's free (which it is by default unless you upgrade it).
Give them a try; I think you'll be pleased.
--
See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad!
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/
On 01/06/2010 07:39 AM, dadiOH wrote:
> SBH wrote:
>> ... but recently I wanted to experiment with the roundover and
>> I'm not sure what size to get and stick with.
>
> What size wood? If 3/4" you are likely to use a 3/8" radius bit most
> frequently, 1/4" occasionally.
>
> In addition to those I have 1/16, 1/8 and 3/4. I use the 3/4 once in a
> while, the 1/8 rarely. I've never used the 1/16 (it was part of an auction
> lot) and likely never will...easier to use a plane and/or sandpaper.
For those situations where a small round-over is needed, I often find it *much* faster (and
a lot more fun) to just use a "SlickPlane":
http://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-W1100-Slickplane/dp/B0000DD0TK
The price is ridiculously low for a device that works as well as it does, and you can put a
1/8" or 1/4" round-over down the length of a four foot board in less than thirty seconds, as
fast or faster than a router even if it's all set up and ready to go.
--
Repeat after me:
"I am we Todd it. I am sofa king we Todd it."
To reply, eat the taco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbqboyee/
"SBH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
>play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
>on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
>Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
>as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
>recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
>first use?
>
> Thank you
>
As if this has not been hammered enough.
I would suggest a decent sized set but an inexpensive one. The larger the
set the better.
You will find that you will avoid some routines if you don't have the bit
you need. If you have a wide assortment you don't do with out and don't
have to compromise by using another bit for what you would really like to
use.
With that in mind the cheap bits are not going to last long and not give the
best cut.
Replace the cheap bits as they need to be replaced with better quality.
Try to always buy 1/2" shank bits. they will give you a cut with less
vibration.
Here is a decent set of 45 bits for $120. That is less than $2.75 each,
typically a single router bit will run you $15 - $45 each. It would be a
shame to buy an expensive bit that you seldom use.
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/set45.html
On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:19:49 -0500, "SBH" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
>play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
>on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
>Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
>as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
>recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
>first use?
I know nothing about these bits and it may be a bait and switch ("100
sets available at this price") for all I know, but PeachTree
Woodworking came out with the following email special today ("use
keycode: bit1"):
http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_010510.htm
hft
SBH wrote:
> I would like to purchase a set of fairly decent but cheap router bits to
> play around with and determine what I will really want to keep in my stock
> on a more frequent basis. I do have some I play with from Rockler and
> Woodcraft and some I will continue to use which are the better grades such
> as Freud and Whiteside which I can pick up locally. Therefore, can someone
> recommend a variety set of bits which won't bust the bank and won't bust at
> first use?
>
> Thank you
>
>