Router bits - Buy individually or buy a set???

honeywell · Post by **honeywell** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 6:53 pm

I was interested in getting router bits also. I am glad you guys suggest sets. I like the way they are labeled, storage cases and some even show the profile for a novice like me. Thanks for the knowledge.

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:55 pm

I too bought a set and have added to it as needed. I picked up my set from MLCSwoodworking.com. Free shipping, three year hassle free warranty (lifetime on their Katana branded bits) and reasonable prices. Though not quite a buck a bit...........

I tend to buy the 1/2in. shank, more rigid.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:11 pm

I thought I wood weigh in on this. I am knot against buying sets. When it comes to automotive hand tools, I always buy the set. Set of wrenches, set of screwdrivers, socket set, etc. Funny thing, I have never bought a set of router bits. I always buy the ones that I am going to need (or think I am going to need), and no more. Can knot say why, except maybe I have never seen the ones I want in a set.

------------------------ · Tue Feb 23, 2010 8:29 pm

mickyd wrote:Based on what I am reading so far, I think that I am going to return my unused $25 round-over bit. Good thing I decided to keep the plastic jacket it came in.

Call me CHEAP, but I would never pay $25 for a round over bit, unless I was going to use that specific bit a lot, for real quality wood-working.

shipwright · Post by **shipwright** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:02 pm

mark-b wrote:Call me CHEAP, but I would never pay $25 for a round over bit, unless I was going to use that specific bit a lot, for real quality wood-working.

What he said. (unless large enough radius to need 1/2" shank)

Paul M

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:45 am

mark-b wrote:Call me CHEAP........

If you insist.....Mark, your CHEAP!!

------------------------ · Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:51 am

Hey!
I highly resemble that remark.

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:19 am

a1gutterman wrote:I thought I wood weigh in on this. I am knot against buying sets. When it comes to automotive hand tools, I always buy the set. Set of wrenches, set of screwdrivers, socket set, etc. Funny thing, I have never bought a set of router bits. I always buy the ones that I am going to need (or think I am going to need), and no more. Can knot say why, except maybe I have never seen the ones I want in a set.

At last year's Woodworking show, Jim Heavey's recommendation regarding router bits was exactly what Tim said. Buy high quality bits as you need them.

Sincerely,

Ron309753

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:06 am

I don't know for sure but I do not believe there is a consensus on whether to buy sets or to buy individual bits as required.

Some have rapidly agreed that the best way to go is sets while still others have agreed that the best way is buy only what you need at the time.

I believe that if you can afford it - go buy the biggest, best set you can find made by a well known quality supplier. If you can't afford that (which is me) buy the best you can find by a quality supplier but only buy what you need. Eventually you will own the biggest best set you can find.

You'll have to build your own box to store them in but after all you are a wood worker.

In the meantime, care for those bits you bought as if they cost a fortune. Don't just throw them in a bench drawer or tool box where they can bump against one another.

PS Do this now while you are working and bringing home a pay check. Don't wait til you are on fixed income. Once you get there, you don't have many options.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:23 am

When Nick was around he made a remark about drill bits. He said we foolishly spend big bucks for full feature drill motors and nickle and dime ourselves with drill bits. And it is the drill bit that actually does the work and makes the difference in the quality.

I beleive this is true with router bits also. I have the 1/2" woodline set that some talked about. While it is good I have learned that unless the cut is going to be covered (as in a dado) or there is going to be thick finish (like paint) I actually save time and energy using a better bit.

That is not to say I don't use my woodline set I do. But I learned that the profiles produced were not the same quality as that is produced with a high quality bit. Notice I did not say more expensive.

In one project I tried my woodline in maple and got tear out. I then bought a high dollar bit and got about the same tear out. Then I bought a quality bit from Infinity and got no tear out.

One thing I will say you will probably only use about 1/2 to 3/4 of the bits in most sets. But the price of these extra bits in the set is offset by the cost of the whole set.

Today I use my woodline set to give me an example of the profile I want. If the cut is good enough then fine I simply use the woodline bit. If there is a problem I go to Infinity and buy the bit of the same profile and do the job. Since the infinity bit is used only on specific jobs it last longer than if I didn't have the woodline bits to do my test cuts and trial and error layouts.