Thread: Timbecon spiral router bits

I haven't used the Timbecon branded ones. On the website they're listed at $99 or $119 depending on the length. They should be reasonable quality for that price. You can buy a Whiteside spiral flush trim bit on Ebay from the US for around the same money. The only Yonico solid carbide spiral bits I've used (not flush trim) were crap so probably best to not be tempted.

I'd be looking at a bit with replaceable inserts.

Endgrain is murder on cutting edges and you will need frequent re-sharpening which is quite expensive on a spiral ($30-40) and will change the diameter. You won't get the shear action of a spiral, but at $2-3 per edge with inserts you can afford to keep it fresh.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I'd be looking at a bit with replaceable inserts.

Endgrain is murder on cutting edges and you will need frequent re-sharpening which is quite expensive on a spiral ($30-40) and will change the diameter. You won't get the shear action of a spiral, but at $2-3 per edge with inserts you can afford to keep it fresh.

That's a great idea, I will have to look into those too.

These Pineapples of Death: https://www.amanatool.com/61292-inse...-1-4-bore.html

https://www.amanatool.com/products/s...l-planers.html

You might have a hard time putting those on a router
I was thinking more like this... Replaceable Insert Router Bits | Product categories | Benelongs - Woodworking Accessories
Wouldn't say no to one of these though HW, Z 2+2 - Leitz GmbH & Co. KG - DE

H'mm, Elan's link to the Carbitool stuff on the Benelongs site would seem to be in order, but I think you're both getting a bit carried away with the other links.

The only things to remember about the insert carbide bits is that they all appear to be bigger diameter (19mm, 3/4") and they are still only straight bladed cutters, not spiral. If you want straight bladed flush trim bits you can buy a hell of a lot (without checking - maybe 6) of good quality standard bits for the price of one of the insert types.

Originally Posted by aldav

If you want straight bladed flush trim bits you can buy a hell of a lot (without checking - maybe 6) of good quality standard bits for the price of one of the insert types.

The insert one is $111, normal straight of the same length is $41, spiral is $153 all from Benelongs.

Where you save money is re-sharpening; spiral is $30-40, straight is around $20, inserts are about $4.50 and you have 2 edges per insert and you'll always match the bearing diameter.

Elan is always spoiling my fun

Bring.... Reasonable, and whatnot.

It's interesting, I need a 1/4" half roundover, mine are now manky, so it's order time....

With the Carbitool large carbide inserts on the straight cutters, do they give a nice result?

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

The insert one is $111, normal straight of the same length is $41, spiral is $153 all from Benelongs.

Where you save money is re-sharpening; spiral is $30-40, straight is around $20, inserts are about $4.50 and you have 2 edges per insert and you'll always match the bearing diameter.

I guess you're talking about the 40mm cutting length at $111? 38mm cutting length $20.16 delivered - https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pro...620217545.html That's the first place I looked, might be able to get a better deal with a bit of a search. Apart from a once, or maybe twice, touch up with a diamond hone you wouldn't bother sharpening.

Horses for courses. Just putting the other options out there.

The problem with aliexperss and similar stores is that you don't know what you're getting. Chineseium is an odd material, in that its quality and properties can vary widely between suppliers (even batch to batch).

Sometimes the expensive option is cheaper because you only have to buy it once

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

The problem with aliexperss and similar stores is that you don't know what you're getting. Chineseium is an odd material, in that its quality and properties can vary widely between suppliers (even batch to batch).

Sometimes the expensive option is cheaper because you only have to buy it once

I wasn't suggesting that people buy just anything that's why I linked to the Arden branded bit. Arden is a brand name product of exceptional quality for the price. I totally agree with you if we're talking about unbranded and or lower cost products. And yes there is plenty of them on both Aliexpress and Ebay. If you're talking from personal experience using Arden products I'd be interested to hear your opinion.

Originally Posted by aldav

I wasn't suggesting that people buy just anything that's why I linked to the Arden branded bit. Arden is a brand name product of exceptional quality for the price. I totally agree with you if we're talking about unbranded and or lower cost products. And yes there is plenty of them on both Aliexpress and Ebay. If you're talking from personal experience using Arden products I'd be interested to hear your opinion.

I have an Arden bit on the way so I will let you know, but after the success of the industrial grade Huhao bits, never used bits as sharp as ind grade Huhao, Arden are from all accounts even better, have used CarbiTool and others, you can buy 3 or 4 of their bits for the price of others (don't tell everyone or they may put their prices up). And if you select Epacket you can get them in 1 - 2 weeks and costs less than $2.00 more and they combine shipping.

Huhao and Arden are made by the same company. As you say Huhao are their 'industrial' quality and Arden are their 'professional' quality. I suspect it will be pretty hard to 'see' the difference in use. The value equation can be very different for professional and hobby users. It's always easier to spend money on tooling if you know you're going to get the use out of it, you don't personally have to pay for it and it's tax deductible.

I'd be very interested to hear the opinion of anybody who has used one of the Timbecon spiral bits particularly if they have any previous experience of using solid carbide spiral bits. There's no doubt that you get a superior finish with the spiral bits. Both the factories I've dealt with in China are either not prepared to, or unable to, produce solid carbide spiral flush trim or pattern bits.

Thanks for all the comments gentlemen.

I have tried quality Australian/Italian made straight blades, they won't do the job.
I have tried the CMT bit that has the blade set on an angle, this was better but it still ruined a $120 guitar body blank.

I'm sure the replaceable inserts have their advantages as pointed out, but they are still a straight blade.

The issue with routing a guitar body is that you have to deal with end grain,on a curve, for around 25% of the process.
That's why I am looking at a spiral bit, hoping that its geometry/design will cope better with the end grain.

What ever I end up buying i will post on this thread how it goes.
Cheers.