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 Post subject: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2023 5:43 pm 
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Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 755
Location: Napa Valley
First name: David
Last Name: Foster
City: Napa
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 94558
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Who does everyone like for router bits? I've been using MLCS but 'm not a big fan of their bits. They seem to go dull pretty quickly. I do a lot of solid bodies along with acoustics so I need high quality pattern bits along with the typical stuff we use for acoustics.

Do you also have favorite diamond stones for sharpening bits or would you send them off to be sharpened?

Thanks peeps.

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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2023 6:07 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:10 pm
Posts: 634
First name: Bob
Last Name: Gramann
City: Fredericksburg
State: VA
Zip/Postal Code: 22408
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
I have had the best luck with Freud, Amana, and Whiteside bits. I agree that the MLCS bits sometimes have issues. I have some of those diamond sanding paddles that I use to touch up bits with straight sides, but there comes a time when a bit just has to be replaced.



These users thanked the author bobgramann for the post: Kbore (Sat Jan 06, 2024 5:37 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2023 7:22 pm 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:57 pm
Posts: 735
Location: Austin, Texas
for "general" top bearing flush cut bits I find the Freud's available at HellDepot to be fine and lasting...for mortising though I use Amana bits available in 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" cutting lengths which give me a fair amount of versatility using 1/2" plywood patterns...for the real work (anything over 3/4" thick) 1/2" shanks are preferred...as noted Whiteside is also a fine producer of bits and for a pretty penny will custom make anything you can dream up.



These users thanked the author Mike_P for the post: Pmaj7 (Tue May 16, 2023 11:44 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2023 9:09 pm 
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 2953
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I try to stick with Whiteside as much as possible. 1/2” shank.


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2023 9:27 pm 
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Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 755
Location: Napa Valley
First name: David
Last Name: Foster
City: Napa
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 94558
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
And where is everyones favorite go to supplier? Does Whiteside sell direct or thru places like woodcraft?

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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2023 11:06 pm 
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 2953
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
https://www.holbren.com/



These users thanked the author doncaparker for the post: Kbore (Sat Jan 06, 2024 5:38 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2023 7:19 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5924
Hi David,
One thing you can try (assuming you ride the shaft of the bit on the pattern) is to use a 3/8ths single flute (1/2 inch shank) bit to hog off most of the material and then come back with a sharp 1/2 inch double flute bit to remove the remaining 1/16th inch of material. Single flutes cut faster and cooler and double flutes usually leave a better surface. I know that is not what you were asking about, but sometimes it is how we use the tool that makes it go dull quickly.
For touching up router bits I like to use small diamond files similar to these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254913999821?h ... R4aejZmFYg
Sometimes you can touch up the bit while it is still in the router.
I usually buy Amana bits if I am looking for something of decent quality that I will use frequently, but I will buy Chinese Yonico bits (as found on eBay, Home Depot, Precision bits) for profiles I may only have a special need or occasional use for. I don't know how well they hold up (because I don't use them that often) but they do a decent job and are reasonably priced. Whiteside seems to have the best reputation among most of the cabinetmakers I know, but weren't sold by the people I was buying from.
Sending bits out for resharpening is a mixed bag - if the guy is good you will get the bit back sharp without too much material removed and the profile reasonably intact. A poor sharpener will return a bit with half the carbide gone and a profile significantly different than the original. Usually you can get 3 sharpenings before the carbide is too thin - if the person knows what they are doing.


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2023 10:59 am 
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Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:46 pm
Posts: 755
Location: Napa Valley
First name: David
Last Name: Foster
City: Napa
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 94558
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
great info guys.

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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2023 11:42 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo
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Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2017 8:42 pm
Posts: 388
First name: Pierre
Last Name: Castonguay
City: Québec, Qc
Country: Canada
Focus: Repair
Status: Semi-pro
Funny you should ask just now. StewMac just mailed a new Amana bit to me this morning. No questions asked, no fuss. I was getting prepared to have to argue, but no. These guys are the best at standing behind their warranty.


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse



These users thanked the author Smylight for the post (total 3): Kbore (Sat Jan 06, 2024 5:26 pm) • joshnothing (Thu May 18, 2023 7:19 am) • Pmaj7 (Wed May 17, 2023 5:35 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2023 7:19 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:00 pm
Posts: 980
First name: Josh
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Smylight wrote:
Funny you should ask just now. StewMac just mailed a new Amana bit to me this morning. No questions asked, no fuss. I was getting prepared to have to argue, but no. These guys are the best at standing behind their warranty.


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse

I clumsily dropped my Stewmac tape deck last month. It landed on its side and the shaft holding the spindles bent and would no longer turn freely. Completely my fault and in no way an issue with the product. I emailed Stewmac asking if they would sell me a new shaft for my deck.

They wrote back to say a whole new deck was in the mail. Turns out they sent it express - to Australia - and it arrived three days later. I doubt there’s a company anywhere that treats its customers better.



These users thanked the author joshnothing for the post: Smylight (Thu May 18, 2023 8:20 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2023 7:19 am 
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Koa
Koa

Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:00 pm
Posts: 980
First name: Josh
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Smylight wrote:
Funny you should ask just now. StewMac just mailed a new Amana bit to me this morning. No questions asked, no fuss. I was getting prepared to have to argue, but no. These guys are the best at standing behind their warranty.


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse

I clumsily dropped my Stewmac tape deck last month. It landed on its side and the shaft holding the spindles bent and would no longer turn freely. Completely my fault and in no way an issue with the product. I emailed Stewmac asking if they would sell me a new shaft for my deck.

They wrote back to say a whole new deck was in the mail. Turns out they sent it express - to Australia - and it arrived three days later. I doubt there’s a company anywhere that treats its customers better.


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2023 1:24 pm 
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Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
Posts: 4777
I recently had a great experience with https://bitsbits.com/

And a surprisingly good experience after rolling the dice on this flush trim bit from Banggood. It's very similar to Whiteside's "Ultimate Flush Trim" bit at a fraction of the cost. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have to admit, it's exceptionally well made. For anyone else interested, I ordered the 12.7mm option. They indicated a long lead time, but it got to my door in about two weeks.



These users thanked the author James Orr for the post: CraigG (Sun Jan 07, 2024 10:24 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2023 5:45 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 10:11 am
Posts: 2142
I recently got a Freud 3/8" flush cutting bit with 3 blades and it is wonderful!

I have really found the quality on the Whiteside bits to be excellent.

Also, I just stumbled onto this although, I haven't tried them-they look interesting...
https://radiantools.com/collections/rou ... s_bindings


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2023 5:56 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:36 am
Posts: 7240
Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37772
Country: US
Focus: Repair
I have used Freud and Whiteside pretty much exclusively for the last 20 yrs. Consistent high quality.

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"Music is what feelings sound like"


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Fri May 19, 2023 10:22 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:53 pm
Posts: 443
Location: Canada
I've been using Lee Valley bits for quite a while, and some Freud. Happy with both.

Brent


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 4:45 pm 
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Walnut
Walnut
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Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:36 pm
Posts: 4
First name: Todd
State: CO
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
It seems all the recommendations I find suggest bits with top/bottom bearings for template routing, rather than standard bits along with router template-guides. I would think the latter has more vesatility and limits the number of bits you might need. Curious to know if you (anyone here) find them more effective or is it simply personal preference? Thanks for any input!


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 5:29 pm 
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Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 2953
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Todd—

To me, my preference for one or the other depends on what I am doing. If I am trying to rout to a specific depth, template guides and collars are better. If I am trying to duplicate a shape onto sheet stock, flush bearings are better. Either way, I strongly favor Whiteside bits with 1/2” shanks.


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Sat Jan 06, 2024 5:36 pm 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2018 9:19 am
Posts: 297
Location: St. Charles MO
First name: Karl
Last Name: B
State: MO
Zip/Postal Code: 63303
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I just ordered some Ultra-Shear piloted bits but haven't received them yet. The manufacture Upcut, Down cut and compression cut bits of many configurations. Made in USA

https://www.woodpeck.com/routing/ultra- ... -bits.html

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Karl B.


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 Post subject: Re: Router bit supplier
PostPosted: Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:49 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 7:34 am
Posts: 131
First name: David
Last Name: Ingalls
City: Ashland
State: OR
Zip/Postal Code: 97520
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K ... UTF8&psc=1

I use this for all my binding channels. With various bearings from SM and others, I get channels from .055" to .250" in .010" increments. They cut cleanly and last well enough to keep me happy. (note that the photo on the Amazon page is just a generic bit, not the particular one that I get)


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