router bits, now or later?

Watch Woodcraft for when they put thier bits on sale for $5 each, they are pretty good bits and all 1/2” shank. At the woodworking shows, I have always got great deals from Sommerfeld (sp) and they are real good bits.

-- Dan-- Info for all @ http://www.hoistman.com

Woodworking shows always have some great buys.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

I am with Cabinetmaster, woodworking shows do have great buys, if there isnt anything there you said you are not in any rush and Woodcraft will always have another sale, if something goes on sale once there is a 99% chance it will go on sale again within the next couple of months.

-- A hammer dangling from a wall will bang and sound like work when the wind blows the right way.

I haven’t tried the majority of the brands out there, but for me, the bits from Infinity Tools serve very well. I have tried MLCS in the past, but the cuts made by the Infinity ones are superior.

Best price and best router bits are opposing goals! Whiteside, Infinity, and Freud are premium bits that should outperform budget bits. MLCS, Woodcraft, Woodline, Grizzly are decent bargain bits, but not really on the same level as the premium bits. Both types have a place in my bit collection.

The Whiteside 7pc basic set can be had for ~ $81 shipped from Holbren with “SMC10” code. Then you can add bits as needed.

I have both 1/4 and 1/2 and I have an adapter for my 1/2 router to take 1/4 bits.

-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--

You might want to check the outlet at Rockler. They did have several bits on clearance for around $5 each. I don’t know what they have right now, but its free to check.

Edit- Never mind. I just looked and they are all 1/4 shank. Sorry.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY

There’s a seller on ebay that sells 80 1/2” bits for $80 including shipping and nice case. If you start with this set then you can find what what router bits you use the most and buy higher quality bits latter although some of my students have been using there sets for close to 3 years

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-80PC-1-2-SHANK-TUNGSTEN-CARBIDE-ROUTER-BIT-SET_W0QQitemZ270474517291QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRouters_Bits?hash=item3ef9899b2b

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

Thanks Jim.

That is a great idea since I also have no idea which bits I will want to use but don’t want to be limited to whatever I happen to have on hand. Years ago I bought a cheap set of drill bits like this. The ones I used lasted a little while but I replaced them and still have the case with new good quality bits in it.

That seller has two listings. Here is the other one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-80PC-1-2-SHANK-TUNGSTEN-CARBIDE-ROUTER-BIT-SETW0QQitemZ270474517291QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoutersBits?hash=item3ef9899b2b#ht2647wt927

(I just bid on the link you sent, sorry Airman, I wasn’t thinking)

Thanks for positing the question Airman.

Bothus

-- Professional kitchen designer, amature woodworker.

I was lucky enough to catch the woodcraft clearance event on router bits and got myself some very nice Freud bits and the most I paid for each was $8 that was 75% of the retail price.
I felt like I’d won the lottery