Shopsmith Forums

Obviously this a hotly debated topic. Let's take a logical look at what a novice router user should do. That was the original question way back when.

IMHO:
1) Buy a set like the Ryobi on sale for ~$50
2) Learn to use them.
3) Experiment with the many possible profiles and operations that they offer.
4) Judge your satisfaction with the results.
5) If and when you decide that you need better quality or different profile bits, use the knowledge you have gained for ~$50 to guide your purchases.

All of us have opinions and preferences based on our particular experiences. The opinion you should be interested in is yours. Take the time to experiment with your router on scrap pieces or projects not destined for the Louvre and with bits that, if you ding one or break one, won't put you out big bucks.

After all, you wouldn't want to ding up dad's Ferrari the on your first driving lesson would you?

Paul M

I didn't get to drive mom's or dad's Ferrari until I was 45 years old. Now that is is true story except for the Ferrari part. Mon drove a Pontiac Grand Prix and dad drove a Chevy Impala.

One other point...
Sometimes a lower priced router bit can be given a million dollar improvement with a judicious application of a good diamond hone much like most new wood chisels.
You can also now buy diamond wheels quite inexpensively for light face grinding.
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I totally agree a starter set is good beginning.
However there is caveat, many sets that I have seen include bits that no one ever uses. Again I think it is one of those you get what you pay for.
I have seen one starter set where less than half the bits that were in it were ones I could envision ever using. In a other set the one which I have while it costs a little more had about 3/4 of bits I would use.

I once got a set from Sears before router bits were offered in carbide. Of that set there was only one bit I ever used the rest were bits that were so unique I never used them. Perhaps my sense of profile is off but I know I still have the set today and that was my experience.

Here is a good page:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/library/sharpeningrouterbits.pdf

Ed in Tampa wrote:I totally agree a starter set is good beginning.
However there is caveat, many sets that I have seen include bits that no one ever uses. Again I think it is one of those you get what you pay for.
I have seen one starter set where less than half the bits that were in it were ones I could envision ever using. In a other set the one which I have while it costs a little more had about 3/4 of bits I would use.

I once got a set from Sears before router bits were offered in carbide. Of that set there was only one bit I ever used the rest were bits that were so unique I never used them. Perhaps my sense of profile is off but I know I still have the set today and that was my experience.

OK two dollars a piece. I agree with you Ed that many sets come with some or even several bits that aren't in your current "profile vocabulary" but trying to figure out their purpose and experimenting with them may open new design strategies you hadn't previously considered. For example the undercut bit isn't something everyone thinks of but it leads to some interesting possibilities.

I just went out to the shop and looked at the Mastercraft set I have here. (photo in earlier post here) There are only one or two that are not mainstream bits. There are several sizes of round overs, coves, rabbeting, chamfers and straight bits with and without bearings. But you are right that not all sets are that way.

Here is a 30 pc. set from MLCS that is on sale with free shipping. This set seems to contain mostly usable bits and includes a diamond hone for free. I bought a MLCS raised panel set a while back and have been satisfied with it. They are probably not "the best" but they are certainly adequate for most work.

Well, you gotta start somewhere!! After reviewing the opinions on this thread and really thinking about both short and long term woodworking plans, I decided to start with a set that included the 2 bits for my specific project, the 45 degree chamfer and 1/4" round-over, along with other bits that at least could see an application for. No exotic shapes in the set unless you consider Roman Ogee exotic.

I returned my $25 Whiteside round-over bit, dug out an additional $0.87 from my change jar and purchased this 12 piece set of C3 grade (aka K10) cast iron tungsten carbide set. C3 is considered upper middle of the road 'semi finishing' quality from what I have been able to research. (Not an easy googleable subject by the way). The set also came with an undersized OD bearing to convert the round-over bits into beading bits.
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I am going to view this set as a 'disposable learners set'. If I trash one due to stupidity, nothing to lose sleep about. Again, you gotta start somewhere.

Cool!
Time to make dust? I remember my first router project. I was using my router table and had a template attached to some 3/4" pine. The collet broke and that bit with a bearing flew out like cannon ball spinning at 25,000 rpm. it flew so far, I never did find it. Now I wont use a router table without wearing a face shield. Lesson learned: Skil used to be quality and now they are crap!

Good move, Mike! Make sure to read the article Farmer gave us about care and sharpening of router bits (post #25).

BTW, One of my favorite bits is a roman ogee. There's all kins of possibilities with them. You can use just one part of the bit with another bit to follow that will give some interesting profiles. Sometimes I like the full Roman Ogee effect followed by a smaller diameter core-box bit to alter the cove portion.