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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
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    Default Best Router Bits

    I'm looking for high quality bits for a 1/2" router.

    Can anyone give me an opinion on brands.

    Specifically:
    Carb-i-tool
    Triton

    Thanks

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  3. #2
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    Nov 2003
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    Default

    I always get CMT from carbatec. Theay are good.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
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    5,513

    Default

    All three are good - Triton are very very cheap right now on Ebay (GMC are dropping the Triton bits (other than the box sets), so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!)
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Australia
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    752

    Default

    My experience... I hate bad router bits. Strange, at the wood club here I seem to use the router more than anyway, but I see it's value. When I started off I only had cheap GMC router bits and some old ones off my father in law... and crickey... burn and inconsistency everywhere... the saying "only a bad trademen blames his tools" is simply not true when it comes to routing. It's well worth good router bits, looking after them, and keeping them. My advice is spend more on the ones you're likely to use alot.

    I've used carb-i-tool and CMT and been very happy.

    Carb-i-tool I can get form the local home hardware and therefore it's greatly convient. It's also australian, so good to support locals, and a little cheaper. The guys at the shop reckon they're great... i'm not convinced they're as good as CMT.

    CMT I have to mail order from carbitec and I hate paying postage. They are good. I've got one of thier pattern bits and used it quite a lot recently on tasy blackwood without tearout (bar one bit) and nil burning.

    Frued... I'm interested in trying freud bits. More expensive again. I don't have a spiral upcut and pondering getting a freud one. No local supplier so I'll have to wait.

    Boz

  6. #5
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    May 2005
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    Bundaberg
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    377

    Default

    Freud are as good as CMT Try http://routerbitworld.com/ they post to AUS and if you buy a few they work out a lot cheaper even with the freight. They carry CMT, Freud and Amana.

    Regards
    Pal
    Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.

    Albert Einstein

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
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    In the shed, Melbourne
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    6,883

    Default

    I'd say:

    1. Kanefusa (Japanese) http://www.kanefusa.jp/eng/products/wood/index.html
    These guys stock them in Australia http://www.lswgroup.com.au/ damn good t/saw blades too.

    2. Whiteside

    3. CMT

    4. Carbitool

    If I can't get Kanefusa in preference, I'll go Whiteside and so on.

    I haven't tried any others like Freud, so I can't comment on them.
    I make things, I just take a long time.

    www.brandhouse.net.au

  8. #7
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    Apr 2008
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    Armidale
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    Default Thanks

    Thanks for the responses. Very Helpful.


    Quote Originally Posted by BozInOz View Post
    the saying "only a bad trademen blames his tools" is simply not true when it comes to routing.
    I would reckon you could still consider that true. A good tradesman should be able to tell the difference between a good tool and a bad

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Brisbane, QLD, Australia
    Age
    46
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    2,115

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dogma View Post
    I'm looking for high quality bits for a 1/2" router.

    Can anyone give me an opinion on brands.

    Specifically:
    Carb-i-tool
    Triton

    Thanks
    I have used a few different brands...

    Triton - Not too bad. Not the best but far from the worst. Quite cost effective too. I would buy again if I needed one in a hurry (can get locally easily)
    Carbi-tool - Never used.
    Freud - Excellent quality bits. Some of the best, but expect to pay much more for them.
    Infinity bits - Again excellent router bits. Up on par with Freud bits. Infinity T/saw blades are the best I have used.
    Milwaukee - Probably equal to Triton bits. Cheaper but lower quality.
    Linbide Industrial - Got a 19mm straight flue cutting bit at bunnies once to do some dadoes for shelves. Bloody good, solid bit I must say! Quite happy. A little pricier but well worth it.
    Bosch - Maybe a touch lower than Triton in the quality stakes. Cheaper bits.
    Ultra - These are those cheap sets u get from Bunnies for about $20 for 10 different bits. Quite cheap and nasty and don't last terribly long. Ok for one off jobs if you need a particular standard profile they offer, but wouldn't last more than 2 jobs for anything but light trimming.
    TradeTools Bits - Again cheaper bits available in sets like the Ultras. Probably a step above the Ultras. Ok for one off or very occassional tasks. Just be sure to get the diamond stone onto the backs of them after every use.

    If you want the good bits, you have to pay the big bucks, but worth it in the end.

    So in order of best to not so best they would be as follows (in my opinion of course,a nd ones I have used)

    Freud > Infinity > Linbide > Triton (Premium) > Milwaukee / Bosch > Tradetools > Ultra


    Hope that helps.
    How much wood could the woodchuck chuck if the woodchuck could chuck wood?

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Bendigo Victoria
    Age
    80
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    16,560

    Default

    I have a few bits from McJing, very happy with those, last quite well and service is excellent.

    Also have quite a few Torquata router bits from Timbecon, all my Incra profiles are from them. I bought them when they were on special (30% off) and they were an excellent buy. Have done quite a bit of Incra dovetailing and finger jointing with them and all the joits fit very well.

    Recommended.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
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    61

    Default

    TRITON - I have had a set for 10 years and they have been good. I got them for a good price at the time, and have stayed pretty sharp considering all the jarrah and hardwood that they have munched up over time. They are easy enough to sharpen with a small oilstone. I would buy them again.

    CARBITOOL - I have bought a few of these over the years and they are seem to perform quite well. Slightly better than the triton. Aussie made - Aussie company.

    Carbatec Brand - Good but maybe not as good as the triton. Worthwile for low to medium use.

    If I wanted to go premium for lots of use I would be seriously considering the CMT.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Location
    Dublin
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    40
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Waldo View Post
    I'd say:

    1. Kanefusa (Japanese) KANEFUSA CORPORATION Products & Markets Woodworking Industry / Products
    These guys stock them in Australia LSW Group damn good t/saw blades too.

    2. Whiteside

    3. CMT

    4. Carbitool

    If I can't get Kanefusa in preference, I'll go Whiteside and so on.

    I haven't tried any others like Freud, so I can't comment on them.
    It is the first for me to hear of the Kanefusa brand. I am a CMT fan primarily because of what I have been reading from sites and articles (Best Router Bits for Woodworking | Woodworkingtoolkit.com). Any particular/distinct reason why you chose Kanefusa as the top choice?

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
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    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
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    66
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    12,881

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    Time warp.... Where is Waldo?
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Perth Western Australia
    Age
    90
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    783

    Default

    Having used the router for 30 plus years I have come to the conclusion that Carb I Tool produce an excellent quality Bit and I have and still stick to the same brand and I have no intentions of changing Australian made
    Learn new Routing skills with the use of the template guides

    Log on to You Tube for a collection of videos 'Routing with Tom O'Donnell'

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Sydney Upper North Shore
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    4,464

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Template Tom View Post
    Having used the router for 30 plus years I have come to the conclusion that Carb I Tool produce an excellent quality Bit and I have and still stick to the same brand and I have no intentions of changing Australian made
    The majority are great, just don't buy their TSA 30 1/2 Slotting bit

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Crowborough, East Sussex, UK
    Posts
    820

    Default

    Since I discovered Wealden Tools, I have not bought anywhere else. Great product, British bearings used throughout, swift mail order service (anywhere). Recommended highly. Wealden Tool Company Limited Router Cutters

    Ray

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