Router bits for experimenting
 

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

Router bits for experimenting
 

On Jan 5, 5:19*pm, "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

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.

Router bits for experimenting
 

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...

--

Router bits for experimenting
 

On Jan 5, 5:44*pm, dpb wrote:
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...

--

Amana is certainly all there.
Carbide.com has excellent pricing on bits.

Router bits for experimenting
 

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

Router bits for experimenting
 

"SBH" wrote in message
...
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

Router bits for experimenting
 

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

Router bits for experimenting
 

"SBH" wrote in :

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

Router bits for experimenting
 

On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:19:49 -0500, "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. 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.

Router bits for experimenting
 

On 1/5/2010 7:36 PM, Max wrote:
"SBH" wrote in message
...
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/

Router bits for experimenting
 

On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:19:49 -0500, "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?

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

Router bits for experimenting
 

On Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:19:49 -0500, "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



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.

Router bits for experimenting
 

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-W110.../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/

Router bits for experimenting
 

"Zz Yzx" wrote in message
...
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.

:-)

Router bits for experimenting
 

"SBH" wrote in message
...
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/shops...ges/set45.html

Router bits for experimenting
 

Thank you all for your advise and suggestions.

Router bits for experimenting
 

"Steve Turner" wrote in message
...
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-W110.../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.