| Review by ChuckC | posted 586 days ago | 2610 views | 1 time favorited | 9 comments | ![]() |
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- Harbor Freight Router Inlay Kit
- Brand: Harbor Freight | Category: Router Accessories

I recently bought the Harbor Freight Inlay Kit. HF obviously doesn’t make it but there’s no other name on the package. I was looking at them from other stores and for $35 for the kit and even more for the templates I always passed it up. This one was $10 and I had a coupon that brought it down to $8. The HF one even adds a centering pin which was a nice touch and the bushing is solid brass.
I still needed templates so I designed something quick in Sketchup and cut it out on the CNC.
The proof is in the pictures. It works great. The bit went right through the pine and padauk with no hesitation. I made a few other templates since and the cuts came out great. I think for $8 you really can’t go wrong with this.
I generally stay away from HF but they do have a few good things and this is one of them.





















9 comments so far
dbhost
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#1 posted 586 days ago
The results speak for themselves…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
AttainableApex
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#2 posted 586 days ago
is the bit carbide or hss
-- Ben L
The Head Charles
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#3 posted 586 days ago
For $8 I might have to go check it out. Thanks for the good review.
-- Tim- http://www.asliceofwoodworkshop.com; Twitter-@asliceofwood; Facebook-http://www.facebook.com/asliceofwood
dbhost
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4748 posts in 1400 days
#4 posted 586 days ago
For $8.00 I would be stunned if the bit was even HSS.
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
ChuckC
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#5 posted 586 days ago
The bit is an 1/8” solid carbide down-cut bit with a 1/4” shank.
Dusty56
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#6 posted 586 days ago
I bought one as well , but haven’t used it yet. My bit appears to be HSS or less , but I will have to look into it further. Appearance wise , I was not predicting that it would last very long or cut cleanly , but time will tell : )
Thanks for the review.
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
Joe Watson
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#7 posted 586 days ago
I have the same kit, it worked great.
-- Got Wood?
ChuckC
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#8 posted 586 days ago
I literally made the sample in the picture in less than 10 minutes. I think I have to work on my technique but overall it’s hard to not like it.
pintodeluxe
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#9 posted 584 days ago
Pioneer also makes a kit for less than $20 but the bit is hss. I went with the Whiteside because it has a solid carbide bit and got great reviews. The bushing insert fits snugly, but not too tite on the Whiteside. It works perfectly too.
Glad you found a cost effective solution.
-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush
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