Stacked vs. Matched Bits

Although the stacked are cheaper, like you said, my opinion is that the matched will provide more consistent accuracy and they are easier to set up in the long run.

Here are some links to rail and stile bits that are under the $200 target you mentioned.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsitesc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/railandstilerouter_bits1.html

http://pricecutter.com/stile--rail-bits/p/P15-3825/

http://eagleamerica.com/2-piece-stile-and-rail-bit-sets/p/185-0700/

Lew

No links here but I use stacked bits all the time….............with excellent results. I do not find them hard to set up, take down, re-stack.

For a “router bit” I am not too impressed with the male/female “matched” coping…........the tenons are tiny, teeny ,weeny, cheesy looking….............where as the stacked bits for a simple mortise and tenon give a much more substantial tenon.

2 cents

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

I think it really depends on how much you think you’re going to use them. I also have a stacked bit because I don’t make a lot of doors and I did not want to spend the extra money on a set I was only going to use that often. As far as set up goes, it took a little bit of fussing to get them set up the first time, but I kept the final test pieces to use as guides for when I’ve set them up since and have not had a problem since. If money and bit storage space was not an issue, or I did this for a living I probably would have bought a set, but I am quite happy with my stacked bit.

-- Todd, Richfield MN

Thanks for the input. I think I’m going to go with the Katana bits from MLCS. I’ve heard of them before and never really heard anythign bad. Now to build up the courage to spend as much on a bit as i spent on a router. I don’t know how you guys can afford some of these nice tools. I’ve been really trying to make do with what I’ve got, but I think I’ve already got a lot of the useles stuff and not so much of the stuff I’d use the most.

I dont use stacked. they scare me… I prefer matched sets. Depending on how much you plan to use them, you choose your cost. Cheap Chinese are good for a project or two and if you plan to use them more.. go for the good stuff. The new Freud ones are really cool and Whiteside and Eagle American (also made by whiteside) are good too.

-- making sawdust....

i wonder if eagle american are the same quality but a little cheaper because of a different name. not that craftsman symbolizes high quality anymore, but I’ve noticed that a lot of products are identical between craftsman and companion. Theo nly difference I could see was price. Maybe this is the same thing?

Makita just ran a special 3 bit set, rail and stile and a raised panel ogee cutter, I think it went for under a hundred bucks (unsure on price because my favorite tool dealer knew what we had planned and tacked it on to our running total, with various discounts in various places). I haven’t had a chance to use it yet ‘cause I pick up the new table router and lift this weekend, but it can’t be too bad.

On prices of tools, what do you spend on wood? I buy lots of reclaimed, and even with Festool tools I’m having trouble making the tools cost anything relative to the lumber.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

Dan,
It’s funny that you ask about lumber. I’m pretty slow at building so, lumber isn’t a big problem for me. Also, I got about 250 bd ft of walnut for about $180. Granted, a lot is unusable so say I’ve really got about 150 ft to be conservative. That can last a builder like me an awful long time.

I did just notice that there is a special on woodcraft sets. My experience with them has been ok. I think my biggest problem is that with bits, I really get sucked into the “spend a little more mentality”. I start off looking at a no name 3 pice cabinet set on amazon for 30. I know that’s a bad deal so i see for $50 I can get a matched pair from woodcraft. or a freud pair for 90. or a katana 3 piece for 110, or a mlcs 6 piece for 130….. There just doesn’t appear to be a good break point for cost/reward.

I know I could use any of these down the road, but if I don’t buy the better set, I’ll just make some of my second tier projects. I know I’m a nutcase. I know the saying goes that a fool and his money are soon parted, but this fool just can’t make up his mind.

I got a rail and stile bit set at Harbor Freight for around 50 bucks. I’m on a tight budget as well so I tend to sway towards the lower end stuff right now.. Obviously they are not going to last a long long time. But I’ve used them several times and they worked great. I put this address for you. This is not the one I have but it’s pretty similar.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90009

-- don't blink, life will pass you by. ryno from OK