Good router bits?

[D J]

Folks,

I want to make some raised panel cabinets.

Any suggestions on the router bits. Some of them cost fortune, which I don't want.

I checked ebay for used ones, but can't trust.

thanks, DJ

[Andy]

Fine Woodworking just did a comparison article - check your local library or bookstore. According to my own limited experience, Infinitytools.com is a good source for reasonably-priced and high-quality bits. MLCSwoodworking.com has great prices, free shipping, great customer service, and their bits are pretty good quality (much better than the $1/ea eBay import specials, but not quite as good as the higher-end pro bits). Also, search the archives here - this has been discussed before. Andy

[RayV]

When I bought this set it was about $40, may have been a sale, anyway they worked fine for the Poplar frame and MDF panels I made. Came with a few washers to fine tune the fit.

[D J]

I can see there are three more messages, but don't get to read them.. something wrong?

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Nothing is more expensive than a cheap bit that will damage the wood. Go with any of hte decent brand names like Infinity, Freud, Whiteside, etc.

Check

and

[Leon]

Buy the most expensive "name brand" than you feel comfortable with spending money on. I prefer CMT, Amana, the old Jesada, and Infinity, in that order.

[9.9 Fingers]

DJ,

While not an expert at woodworking, I have been building stuff outta wood for 30+ years. (Most of what I do would be classified by the more talented members of this group as either finish carpentry or "craft" quality.) That being said, I have been using routers for nearly 30 years.

Last year I found a company called Woodline USA

Fair prices- especially if you but some of their sets. *Excellent* customer service. I damaged a carbide tipped bit due to MY negligence, and they replaced it at no cost. Didn't even charge me shipping! Now THAT's customer service. :>)

Not affiliated with, yada, yada, yada, and all the other disclaimers.

Gary Kasten St. Peters, MO

[Lew Hodgett]

As Leon suggested, stay with the majors, buy the best you can afford.

Trying to cut corners on cutting tools is strictly false economy, IMHO.

SFWIW, have used a couple of Infinity bits, they work for me.

Lew

[name]

Lee Valley has good quality bits, not too expensive.

[dpb]

Used you don't want unless you just happen to find another "one-timer" who bought the Amana or another top-quality set and built one set of kitchen cabinets and then you probably wouldn't save that much anyway from what I've seen watching auctions in the past.

I agree w/ the others that it's a false economy in the larger picture. It depends also in part on what you're making the cabinets from -- if it's a softwood, you may get by w/ a lesser bit, but if you are using a fine hardwood and particularly anything w/ any grain characteristics at all, you want the best and sharpest bit you can find.

[dpb]

Used you don't want unless you just happen to find another "one-timer" who bought the Amana or another top-quality set and built one set of kitchen cabinets and then you probably wouldn't save that much anyway from what I've seen watching auctions in the past.

I agree w/ the others that it's a false economy in the larger picture. It depends also in part on what you're making the cabinets from -- if it's a softwood, you may get by w/ a lesser bit, but if you are using a fine hardwood and particularly anything w/ any grain characteristics at all, you want the best and sharpest bit you can find.

[dpb]

Used you don't want unless you just happen to find another "one-timer" who bought the Amana or another top-quality set and built one set of kitchen cabinets and then you probably wouldn't save that much anyway from what I've seen watching auctions in the past.

I agree w/ the others that it's a false economy in the larger picture. It depends also in part on what you're making the cabinets from -- if it's a softwood, you may get by w/ a lesser bit, but if you are using a fine hardwood and particularly anything w/ any grain characteristics at all, you want the best and sharpest bit you can find.

[Dave]

Check out Woodline bits. If they're good enough for Sam Maloof they are good enough for me.

[dpb]

Used you don't want unless you just happen to find another "one-timer" who bought the Amana or another top-quality set and built one set of kitchen cabinets and then you probably wouldn't save that much anyway from what I've seen watching auctions in the past.

I agree w/ the others that it's a false economy in the larger picture. It depends also in part on what you're making the cabinets from -- if it's a softwood, you may get by w/ a lesser bit, but if you are using a fine hardwood and particularly anything w/ any grain characteristics at all, you want the best and sharpest bit you can find.

[Leon]

You realize that they pay him to use their bits, don't you?

[Dave]

I don't think a perfectionist such as he would use junk no matter what he is paid.

[Leon]

Sam Maloof is a great woodworker but absolutely NOT a perfectionist. He freehands a lot of his of his work. Supporting a product, good or bad is not going to harm his reputation.

Tiger Woods promotes Buick. Being the multi millionaire that he is I seriously doubt he owns a fleet of Buicks.

[Mike in Arkansas]

Didn't he pass away a few months back?

[Mike in Arkansas]

Didn't he pass away a few months back?

[Larry Blanchard]

That's the fourth copy of this message. all at different times. Do you have a slow stutter or is gmail having problems?