Thread: Router bit quality and range

Originally Posted by Wol

G'day all.

I have only recently taken up using a router (an old Makia3612) as I have some projects which are better done with one. There seems to be a large number of similarly priced cheaper carbide router bits. These include Torquata/Baladonia, Bunnings Ultra, Carbatec, McJing etc. Are these all from the same factory? (They seem very similar). Is there anything other than chance differences in their quality?

Regards

I have a few of the McJing router bits. They seem to vary hugely in quality. Some work beautifully, whilst others make a very poor cut. Some of the McJing bits have lost one or more of their carbide inserts when being used - and I can assure you it is not nice having a bit of carbide depart the bit at 20,000 RPM - I had one bit of carbide embed itself in a leather apron I was wearing at the time. If I hadn't been wearing the apron, the bit of carbide would have embedded itself in my abdomen.

I've also tried the "Ultra" router bits from Bunnings. The "Ultra" bits are supposedly made by the same company that makes Freud Router Bits, but from my experience, the quality of the Ultra bits is variable. Some of Carbatec's own brand Router bits are excelent. In particular, I've bought a few of Carbatec's own brand solid carbide spiral cutters and they have been very good, and very affordable.

Since having some issues with some cheaper "DIY Grade" router bits, I've changed over to using better quality bits purchased from trade suppliers.

• Carbi-tool are an Australian manufacturer and their router bits are top notch, and reasonably priced. They have a fairly large range of bits. Have a look at their web site where you can buy on-line. http://www.carbitool.com.au/
• I've found a few local suppliers of Trade quality tools stock Carbi-tool bits (Glenfords Tools as an example), so it might be worth a check in your local area if you don't want to order over the internet.
• Carbatec stock CMT Router bits. They are top notch quality, but can also be pricey.
• If you're after a less common router bit, or you're after top quality router bits at value prices, try importing them from Tools Today in the USA. They have a huge range of top quality Amana Router Bits (made in Italy) at very attractive prices, and they will ship to Australia at affordable shipping prices. It takes about 10 to 14 days for the package to arrive, so as long as you can order in advance of when you'll need the bits, Tools Today can be a good proposition.
• I've also bought a few Freud Router Bits from US suppliers via Amazon. I've got two of the Freud "Quadra Cut" edge profiling bits. The Quadra Cut bits have extra cutters to reduce tearout, and they certainly work well, especially on wood that's got curly grain that would result in tearout on other styles of router bits.

Hope that helps,

RoyG

As a rule of thumb with router bits, you do not get cheap bargains.
I have a variety of brands with which I am pleased, being Whiteside, Infinity, Carb-i-tool, CMT, Freud and Triton.
I also have a few cheaper sets, with bits I rarely use. For the one-offs or little used project, I think you could get by.
Best local manufacturer in Oz is Carb-i-tool.
Timbecon are local for you in Perth and I believe they would stand behind anything they sell.
Similarly, I have always been pleased with how Carbatec have treated me, although I know my good experience has not been universal and I do not know the Perth store.
Your table may be more of an issue to resolve.
Good luck.

I have been using Carb-I-Tool cutters for over 30 Years and consider them a great product with an excellent catalogue with details of cutter sizes readily available. Because I use template guides with the router I am able to use a greater variety of cutters especially those without bearings, also I am able to produce a greater variety of projects with the router in the plunge mode and seldom in the table mode.
Template Tom

+10 (yes 10, 1 isn't enough) for Carbitool. Great range, well priced, long lasting and they make custom bits as well.
They're also 200m from work which is handy

To date I have in the main used Carbi-Tool or CMT profiling sets .I have not been able to fault them .To my thinking they last well & only occasionally need a touch up with a diamond stick file.
I am more than happy with those to brands,I have one set of Trend 1/4 " router bits that I bought with a Trend router some years back ...yet to see how they perform over the long term as generally my Router bits are 1/2".

Cheers

Good luck sorting the wheat from the chaff with cheaper router bits! If they can't get consistent quality at McJing the rest of us have no hope. If you want to be assured of consistent quality you have to buy a 'name' brand.

For cheaper router bits for occasional use I have found Yonico bits from Precision Bits in the US to be good - available on eBay or direct from Precision Bits (made in China not the US). My son has found the Carbatec branded bits quite good for hobby use. The Chinese don't do themselves any favours in this area, they produce multiple qualities, but don't make it possible for the end consumer to tell the good from the bad. So you're in the hands of the retailer. Pretty paint is not an indicator of quality. It's a bit of a shame really because you can get some quite good bits from China or Taiwan at very reasonable prices. However, the unknown quality can be a deal breaker. Even if you find something you're happy with there's no guarantee that all the retailers bits are from the same factory, or that the source manufacturer won't change from one purchase to the next.

I have never had the opportunity to try 'Arden' router bits from Taiwan, but would not be surprised if they are very good quality.

Thankyou all. It does seem a minefield for the cheaper bits.

At this stage I have no plans to put the old Makita in a table, although it would be possible. It was sitting around unused with my Father in law, of unknown origin, with a broken base plate and the pre-sets had seized. It also has some Stanley Craftsman Carbide bits. I got a new plate from the US, freed the pres-sets, and fired it up. It works great , and I have enjoyed trying out the bits. I might get the missing 3/8 collet and some 3/8 shank bits but they are an odd size.

The only bit I have bought so far is a Torquate 3/4 straight bit which has been fine. I am considering getting one of the cheap Bunnies sets, see what I use a lot, and buy good bits of those. But I also don't want to waste money on bits I am not going to need, nor pay a lot for bits which are not going to get enough use. There is a fair bit of guesswork at this stage.


This woodworking is terribly addictive by the way.
Regards

I wouldn't bother with the 3/8, I don't think there's anything in 3/8 that doesn't come in 1/4 or 1/2.

I started with an Ultra set and found them to be OK. When I need a new single bit that I expect to use a lot then I buy better quality.

If you are stuck at bunnings, definitely go for the Diablo bits (same as Freud, made in Italy) and don't waste the admittedly much smaller amount on the ultra bits. I initially ignored advice and went the cheap bits from a few sources thinking they would be fine for my skill level, but ultimately they were all consistently disappointing and cause more harm than good. Now I only buy Carbitool, Diablo/Freud and CMT, which are all easy to find locally.

"Cheap" router bits are, in reality, anything but cheap. Oh, they cheapen things, like the experience of routing with a good cutter and the results when compared to a higher-end product, but given the run-out some can exhibit, accuracy also takes a nose-dive. The manufacturing process is also considerably inferior when based on price alone. I happen to think it's worth the extra price not to have to worry about inferior carbide breaking free from an inferior cutter shaft, especially large or high-speed varieties.

I always researched the cutter I needed by looking at the catalogue (in my hand or on-line) and the shape of the relevant profile that the cutter produced. Then I simply bought the best one I could find, choosing from the established market leaders such as CMT and Freud. With the use of a suitable cleaning fluid, care in use and correct storage, these bits will outlast me easily.

I now only purchase from one source, the Wealden Tool Company (http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/...Cutters_1.html), who use British bearings, highest-quality carbide and run an EXCELLENT mail-order business. I have been to their premises (before I realised they did mail order!) and everyone there is a real engineer, dedicated to producing the best cutters in the UK. They ship to Europe and I see no reason why they would not ship further afield. Their range is magnificent, as is the quality of all their cutters and I thoroughly recommend them (I have no connection with the company, other than as a very satisfied customer).

Ray

Thanks all. I appreciate the advice and will give this some more thought.

The router is a Makita 3620 (not 3612) so grateful if a mod can fix that.

I may get the 8 mm collet as Lee Valley and others have a range of 8mm bits which would be better for the bigger sizes.

Regards

For quality cutters, I only use whiteside or Wealdon Tool Company router bits.
I recently had to do a number of mortice locks on a school reno, 19mm in width and 90mm in depth.
I used a Wealdon deep pocket bit. These monsters need to be of a very high quality, considering the depth I had to go with it.
Sitting in my OF 1400 this bit ran true and cut beautifully.
Highly recommend Wealdon Tool Company router bits.

+2 on the Wealden Tools and Carb-i-tool....

You can buy the Carb-i-tool cutters from this site:

http://www.apworkshop.com.au/

Had good mail order service from them as well as Wealden in UK.

Unless I am buying cheap 10mm straight cutters, I no longer buy from Bunnings or McJing...

Carbatec also carry a good range of CMT cutters.