Rail and Stile, and Raised Panel router bits

Your last question first. Depends on the reveal of the cutter. I use a 3hp shaper to power my panel raiser. I use ¾” thick panels so I also include a back cutter on the stack. The reveal on the cutter I use is 1½” per side. I cut each side in 4 steps. My process is explained in a previous project entry. Based on the experience I have with my setup, I do not think I would care to attempt it with a ¾ hp shaper. If it is not in the cards for you to acquire at least a 1½ hp shaper, I would recommend the vertical router bit for your panel raising.
As to matched rail and stile cutters, I have been using a set I got from rockler.com for almost 3 years now. I have recently purchased a replacement set from grizzly that I am anxious to get set up after I finish a lingering commission.

Ed

-- Come on in, the beer is cold and the wood is dry. www.crookedlittletree.com

Have you tried looking in McMaster Carr, they have a quality selaction of carbide bits.

-- bryano

Ed, thanks for the input on the shaper. I’m not really able to upgrade my shaper right now, so I’ll probably go with the vertical panel raiser. I’ll check out Rockler’s cabinet sets soon, too.

Bryano, I haven’t looked into McMaster’s bits; I hadn’t even considered them! I’ll take a look at them today if I get a chance.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

Robb

-- Robb

Morning Robb,

In cope and stick I have 2 Freud, 1 MLCS and 1 Whiteside. I’m using a Bosch router with speed control in a Jessom FX lift. The Freud sets are the same because one went dull in the middle of a job and nearly set the shop on fire. I went to town, gave that set to the sharpener and bought an identical set to finish the job. I don’t see much difference in the bits but all are from about the same level manufacturers. I’ve only got 2 panel raisers and have never used a verical. My Freud bits seem to hold up a little longer than CMT. I can never seem to put my finger on what it was that took that chunk of carbide out of the edge, it just happens. I have had some trouble with Whiteside pattern bits, both with the carbide and the bearings. I haven’ tried M-C for router bits or Grizzly. Don’t go with the single bit cope and stick cutters. I tried that years ago and it was a wreck.
When you get a set, check out a website, woodshopdemos.com. John Lucas has some great tips on how to set up those bits. Also check out prowoodworkingtips.com. That’s our own Lee Jesberger’s site.
Good luck
Tom

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Tom, thanks for the specific feedback. That’s exactly what I was hoping for. I’ll make sure to look at the sites you recommended, thank you!

I did check out McMaster today, but they didn’t have any cope and stick sets that I saw.

I looked at Rockler as well. They seemed ok, but for the price difference between their bits and what I believe I can spend for some Freud bits on Ebay, I think I’d go with the pretty red ones.

I’ll check out the MLCS and Whiteside ones too. The good thing about this purchase is there isn’t a big sense of urgency to it (yet), so I can be somewhat leisurely about researching and understanding.

-- Robb

I’ve used MLCS and Buddy’s router bits. For your own use you may never wear them out. You may want different profiles. I think I’ve got 4-5 sets of different profiles.

I’ve got a set for 5.2mm plywood that I used when i was making my kitchen cabinets. I resawed wood into 1/4” and then sanded smooth to 5.2mm for the panels in the doors.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Hi Rob, I looked in Mcmaster-car also with no luck, sorry .

-- bryano

Thank you, Karson. Having you and Tom both talk about using MLCS makes me more comfortable with them. I love the maple cabinets you made, by the way.

-- Robb

Robb,
I’m going to step back in for a minute. I would suggest buying Freud or what ever from a local dealer rather than on E-Bay. I buy from either Idaho Tool or Woodcraft. I have had expensive bits go bad very quickly. Both of these dealers have replaced bits for me at no charge. I doubt you could get that from an E-Bay dealer. When you pay a $135 for a set you want good back up. Freud seems to stand behind their products and so do most if you buy from a dealer.
Tom

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Almost all of my bits are MLCS. I have there stacked rail, & style set. It works really well.

I also use there vertical raised panel bits, you don’t have to slow up your router. If you want to make arched panels, you need the horizontal bits.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Great advice, Tom. We have a Woodcraft in Grand Rapids, not far from me. I’ll have to see how much the bits are there.

Thanks for the input, Dick! Not having to slow down the router would be nice for me, though eventually I’ll probably want a speed control anyway. I’m not planning on doing arched doors this time around, so I may go with the vertical panel raiser.

-- Robb