Thread: Which brand of Router Bits do you like?

Originally Posted by Groggy

Leitz (I think they also make Festool bits in the 8mm range)

Had a bit of a look at Leitz, and I didn't see much in the way of router profiling bits, just a stack of CNC straights. They have a lot of profiles for spindle moulders, however.

A local cabinet maker here (Katoomba) swears by (not at) Leitz saw blades, and certainly in other industries such as Medical Equipment, photographic gear etc they are the premium brand. I had a Leitz enlarger many years ago and it was just a beautiful thing.

Looking at Lumberjocks has turned up USA made Onsrud bits which would appear to be at the very top of the market. at our kind of prices.

FF

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Waldo, could I ask you to expand on that please? I had a look at the Kanefusa site and they seem to have a remarkably small range of bits. Why is it that you like them, and am I misguided on the small range? Cheers, FF

Hey Waldo

Am also interested and found the same on the site as FF....would be very interested in your appraisal.

ravna, you may also want to look at this

I have always had great success with Carb-I-Tool cutters been using them for over 25 Years
Tom

Wealden Tool Company for me - beautifully made and excellent mail order service.

Ray

Both the Katana and MLCS have been good although the Katana's are definitely better.

I have been using mcjing bits and I agree the service is excellent. I have also found the bits themselves to be very good as well. I also have a boxset of carbatec 1/2" bits which have been quite good as well. If I could afford I would get carbitool as they look very good quality and locally made I think ?

Whiteside is considered the best according to the many reviews over the last few years. A web search will confirm this.Tried a carbatec 3/8 bit but was unable to produce an accurate box joint. Tried the whiteside 3/8 with excellent results.

Anyone had experience with Titman from the UK. RayintheUK, what's the goss, and how would they compare with your beloved Wealdon bits? From one source (who should know) I'm hearing that Amana are superior to Whiteside, and Titman are superior to Amana.

Onsrud for real quality as well as variety. Wonderful-leaves Carbitool in the dust!

Fleabay USA & China stuff for breakables...

Did I mention Onsrud are good?

(bought via Flecknoe in W.A.-their Aussie agents)

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Anyone had experience with Titman from the UK. RayintheUK, what's the goss, and how would they compare with your beloved Wealdon bits?

Titman are the bits I'd use if I made a living using them, as long as I could recoup some of the cost within the jobs. They're really great but expensive (some >£100). I've got a couple of their specialist bits (green shank coving and drawer pull), simply because I couldn't get what I needed anywhere else. Have a look here and you'll get the idea.

Ray

Good on you Ray, TVM for that. I have actually just downloaded some of the info from Titman last night. I tell you what, their marketing machine needs oiling: I can't find a review anywhere, only a one word mention in Festool Owners Group, Lumberjocks - zip, Sawmill Creek - zip. One of the American importers reckons they're better than Amana, which are better thaN Whiteside, IHO. The Titman brand name seems to be virtually unknown outside the UK. What would be a good English forum to look at?

Regards, Brett

You're right about their publicity - it always has stunk - perhaps it's their way of keeping up with demand!

Here's an overview page hosted by one of their sellers, giving a very good overview of their range on one page.

You could try UK Workshop Forum, but their are lots of "tool collectors" and dyed-in-the-wool hand tool members, so not all sweetness and light.

A spin-off from that is here, may be worth a look. Some strong views frequently expressed - no prisoners taken!

HTH

Ray

You bewdy Ray, I'll read those with great interest later.
As for taking no prisoners....we Aussies laugh in the face of derision. Take a look at this...and all because the poor bugger drilled one (read my lips - ONE) hole. 40 posts of shellacking, including moi, of course.

Cheers, Brett