Shopsmith Forums

I have the rest of the Jointech Saw Train on the way and I'm wondering if I should order one of their set of router bits... as the router is of little use without some bits to cut with.

Has anyone ordered any of the sets from Jointech?
I'm pretty sure that I want to go with a 1/2" shank but other than that I'm pretty green when it comes to the use of a router, except for freehand use.
Is the large set of 50 bits full of rarely used bits?
Should I just buy the bits as I need them?
Other companies?
Like Tim, I'm fond of buying American made products when I have the choice.

Any help is appreciated and I'll check in after the the 2nd as I'm going to be out for a couple of days.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

pinkiewerewolf wrote:Any help is appreciated and I'll check in after the the 2nd as I'm going to be out for a couple of days.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

So your planning on celebrating New Years Eve THAT MUCH.

Hi,

Jointech had a complete line of router bits some years back. They got out of that market and now have just the limited sets. As a side note they sold the inventory to pricecutter who sold them for half price so I picked up a few for my collection. I also have the set for the Jointech system, I think the 1/2" set is like $80?? Anyway that is not a bad deal. The bits can also be gotten from other places a bit at time, just match the types and sizes in the set.

In most cases it is better to buy bits when you need them. In this case you might want to look at what is in the larger set and see if the jointer set is also in that set. If it is then you can subtract the $80 and see if you think you will get use our of some of the other bits... it might still be a good idea. It is a hard call as I don't know if you already own bits that might be in the set etc.

In most case you are better off getting the 1/2" shank bits. The exception is if you want the bits for say a trim router that takes only 1/4" shank bits and hope to use it for that and the regular router... not a lot of bits fall in this area.

If you have the money Infinity has nice bits, as do several other companies, and you can get american made ones to your hearts content. I for one would never go for those really cheap bits sets where you get 50 bits for $20.... I have had good luck with MLCS bits and they are the lowest priced ones I buy.

Hope new year brings lots of router things,

Ed

pinkiewerewolf wrote:I have the rest of the Jointech Saw Train on the way and I'm wondering if I should order one of their set of router bits... as the router is of little use without some bits to cut with.

Has anyone ordered any of the sets from Jointech?
I'm pretty sure that I want to go with a 1/2" shank but other than that I'm pretty green when it comes to the use of a router, except for freehand use.
Is the large set of 50 bits full of rarely used bits?
Should I just buy the bits as I need them?
Other companies?
Like Tim, I'm fond of buying American made products when I have the choice.

Any help is appreciated and I'll check in after the the 2nd as I'm going to be out for a couple of days.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

John,
Here is the link to the MLCS bits. They are good bits and MLCS doesn't charge shipping, making it an even better value;

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... etdove.htm

I like 1/2" shank bits best, but sometimes I do use a 1/4" shank bit. As others have said, you can still get quality US bits, but knot my favorite ones. Viper bits were discontinued by B&D after they bought the parent company, Oldham (sawblades). Also, there is no real point in buying a large set, unless you are sure that you will use most of them. You will likely save money buying the set, but only if you wood have ended up buying most of them individually.

edit: On the other hand, if you already own the bits, you might use more of them, when you wood knot otherwise.

I just logged on to ask a question on router bits, and whaddaya know, here is a thread!

My question was going to be whether anyone had experience with MLCS bits... Ed says he has had good luck with them, but I wonder if they (MLCS) have varying quality.

I got an email from MLCS today letting me know that their 66 bit set is on sale -- here's the link:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... set66.html

66 bits for $190 -- that is about $2.88 each!

even at their regular price of $220 for 66 bits, that is only $3.33 each.

I am thinking these are Chinese made, and may not be the best quality?

Then in the curiousgeorge post, he shows 'name brand' bits from MLCS, which average about $5 each in those sets.

I realize that there are bits in that 66-unit set that we probably won't use, but.... at less than three bucks each, a few of those bearing bits, at regular price, would pay for this whole set!

If.... if the quality is any good.

Any ideas?

I have had very good serice from Woodline router bits and shaper cutters.
Woodline USA http://www.woodline.com
ldh

Go to Pricecutter bits site: http://pricecutter.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_243762 . You can go to the Eagle bits from there. http://eagleamerica.com/Default.asp Made in the USA.

gilamonster wrote:I just logged on to ask a question on router bits, and whaddaya know, here is a thread!

My question was going to be whether anyone had experience with MLCS bits... Ed says he has had good luck with them, but I wonder if they (MLCS) have varying quality.

I got an email from MLCS today letting me know that their 66 bit set is on sale -- here's the link:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... set66.html

66 bits for $190 -- that is about $2.88 each!

even at their regular price of $220 for 66 bits, that is only $3.33 each.

I am thinking these are Chinese made, and may not be the best quality?

Then in the curiousgeorge post, he shows 'name brand' bits from MLCS, which average about $5 each in those sets.

I realize that there are bits in that 66-unit set that we probably won't use, but.... at less than three bucks each, a few of those bearing bits, at regular price, would pay for this whole set!

If.... if the quality is any good.

Any ideas?

Doug,

Mlcs and their Katana line are excellent bits. Also,their customer service is great.

gilamonster wrote:I just logged on to ask a question on router bits, and whaddaya know, here is a thread!

My question was going to be whether anyone had experience with MLCS bits... Ed says he has had good luck with them, but I wonder if they (MLCS) have varying quality.

I got an email from MLCS today letting me know that their 66 bit set is on sale -- here's the link:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/set66.html

66 bits for $190 -- that is about $2.88 each!

even at their regular price of $220 for 66 bits, that is only $3.33 each.

I am thinking these are Chinese made, and may not be the best quality?

Then in the curiousgeorge post, he shows 'name brand' bits from MLCS, which average about $5 each in those sets.

I realize that there are bits in that 66-unit set that we probably won't use, but.... at less than three bucks each, a few of those bearing bits, at regular price, would pay for this whole set!

If.... if the quality is any good.

Any ideas?

If you wanted those I hope you already ordered them. The sales price was good through Dec 31, 2008.