8mm shank router bit sets?

[vkumar]

As I just received a new OF1010 from Uncle Bob, I am now looking for bits for it. All of mine are 1/2" shank now so needing some to fit this router. Would really like to purchase a bit set that has a selection of widely used ones hopefully in 8mm versus 1/4". I know everyone says to just buy them as needed but with no local supply stores other than HD and Lowes, I can't just pick them up on a whim. Any thoughts on a set from a quality manufacturer? Sure would be nice if Festool offered sets, I think they would sell.
Pete

I too am in line to get a 1010, and would like some 8mm shank bits.  Any further sources identified?  Festool seems to be the only one with 8mm shanks readily available. Would be nice to have some alternates such as CMT, Whiteside, Amana etc. available stateside.

Vijay

 

[PeterK]

Other than the Festool offerings, I have not found anything else in the US in 8mm. The Festool bits are really high quality, very sharp, long lasting. I have been using a wide variety of Freud 1/4" bits with great results. No chatter, no breakage, no complaints.

 

[Craftsman]

I,m pretty sure that Felder still sells a set of 8mm shank router bits in the most common profiles. I had a set that I used in the shaper of a CF731. They were very reasonably priced..

 

[joiner1970]

I just sent a wish list of bits off to Wealdon today, hoping they can post them to people outside of Europe (in my case Australia - not sure if the Commonwelath comrade ship would apply )

Link to 8mm Shank straight cutters: http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_8mm_shank_238.html

Thanks for you link Martin, checked them out today seems the US people are looked after, they are sold at WorkShop Tools...

Also found another European manufacturer, seems they specialise in 8mm shanks http://www.jvl-europe.com/index.html, once again not sure about quality and delivery outside EU....

Cheers

Sam

Sammy I have used Wealdons for router bits for a while now they are very good quality bits better than any of the stuff Ive used so far. Not sure if they do deliver outside the UK but Im sure you would have found out by now. If you look on www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums you will find everyone there uses wealdons thats how I found out about them.

Chris

 

[tbellemare]

Though they aren't 8mm but rather 1/4", CMT sells a couple of very nice sets of router bits that work nicely in an OF 1010.

There's a 12-piece set:

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and a 15-piece set:

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Both sets come in really nice, hardwood cases.

I know that 8mm bits are beefier and therefore stronger than 1/4" bits but it isn't at all uncommon to see CNC routers running 1/4" bits. It's a feed and speed thing like with any router bit.

Tom

 

[vkumar]

Tom since you happen to be a CMT dealer, can you not get the 8mm bits that CMT makes?

Also the issue is more than speeds and feeds.  There is also the issue of side loads, which makes the 8mm bits much superior--it is the same reason why one would prefer to use the 1/2 inch bits if they would fit.

Vijay

 

[vkumar]

I,m pretty sure that Felder still sells a set of 8mm shank router bits in the most common profiles. I had a set that I used in the shaper of a CF731. They were very reasonably priced..

Any links?
Thanks

Vijay

 

[tbellemare]

Vijay:

Unfortunately, CMT doesn't sell 8mm bits here. I guess they didn't detect a big enough market for it.

I agree about the side loading... I think it can be accounted for, within reason, by fine tuning the speed vs. feed. At least that's what I do using a CNC router. If it's chattering, my feed is too high for the speed. If it's burning, I'm not keeping the cutting surfaces cutting so they dwell and heat up, which means I either need to slow the speed or increase the feed.

With all that said, I totally agree that 8mm bits are stronger than 1/4" bits and that 1/2" bits are stronger than either 1/4" or 8mm. I just think that a bit with a small enough overall diameter is perfectly fine with a 1/4" shaft. To exaggerate the thought, I wouldn't want to swing a raised panel bit with a 1/4" shaft and I wouldn't want to pay for a 1/2" shaft on an 1/8" diameter straight bit.

This is all just my opinion so please ignore it if you think it's bunk.

Tom

 

[Brice Burrell]

....This is all just my opinion so please ignore it if you think it's bunk.

Tom

Tom, you don't need to post this, we're all used to ignoring you by now... [tongue]

Back on topic, I know FOG member and all around nice guy, Chris Hughes has sources for Italian made 8mm shanks bits readily available in his area (Kalamazoo, MI).  One could PM him for more info.    

 

[Wonderwino]

We had a discussion about this with Brian & Shane at Router Class last April.  I suggested that maybe if Festool would run some specials on sets as a promo sometime, it would spur more interest in them.  they had a promo 8mm set several yars ago with a Sys1 with insert that I bought.  I have since added more Festool 8mm bits to the mix as I really would rather use my OF1010 than my DW621.  (I do have the OF2200 and OF1400 on my wish list.)

I am hoping they will do another set with decorative profiles this time or a combination of bits that can create common mouldings.

 

[Craftsman]

Tried to copy and paste the page but couldn't get it to work. If you Google "Felder USA" click on "accessories"" and then ""tooling" you can see the set they sell.. $72.00 for the 8mm shank set.  Can't beat that.  Less than the cost of two Festool router bits. I had my set for about 4 years and they were still going strong when I sold the shop.

I,m pretty sure that Felder still sells a set of 8mm shank router bits in the most common profiles. I had a set that I used in the shaper of a CF731. They were very reasonably priced..

Any links?
Thanks

Vijay

 

[vkumar]

Thank you craftsman.  I will check Felder out

Vijay

 

[Chris Hughes]

I do not have a set available to me, however, I order one or two at a time as I need them from my carbide supplier Lueco. They are a German company that sells and sharpens carbide cutters widely to big wood cutting/cabinet manufacturing/ furniture makers in the world.  There are also little shops like Cogent Tooling that have relationships with European suppliers that make a lot of 8mm bits.

Also, I have used both these companies to buy replacement saw blades for my ts55 and 75 as those blades arbor sizes are much more common in Europe.  I would argue that in most cases, the Festool blades are priced accordingly and are the best performers. 

While we are at it, I have found suitable replacement for some sand papers meant to enhance the Festool line but not made by Festool.  3M and Mirca are the more obvious ones that come to mind.

 

[Chris Hughes]

BTW, one the 8mm bit suppliers for me is Tipman out of England.

 

[nickao]

I have used router bits a lot, possibly more than most people here.

I have never ever snapped a 1/4" non full carbide bit at the shank.

I used to adhere to the 1/2" only and then using the same theory getting 8mm shanks.

IMHO and actual observations there is no difference in hand routing for steel shanks between 1/4" and 1/2 bits, let alone 1/4" and 8mm.

If you sense a difference(chatter etc)I am willing to bet the house it is the run out of the router that a larger  bit helps to hide  that you are seeing in the 1/4" bit.

I firmly believe this,  other professionals  when questioned do not dispute my idea about this either.

In short there is nothing wrong with the 1/4" bits. Get the 1/2" if you want(or 8mm), but if there are none available in that size or the larger bits are a just too much  money then be secure in the 1/4" bits. I just do not feel it is a huge issue and there is no reason to seek out 8mm bits for any other reason than you just want them. The 1/4" bits will perform just as well as the 8mm bits if the router run out is correct(a low TIR).

I have tested this over and over and no human being can tell the difference in the final result between the 8mm or even 1/2" bit and the 1/4" bit. Running my finger over the final detail I feel nothing different at all either.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I would agree mostly with dovetail.  I have however snapped more than a few long 1/4" bits going deep on mortises.  I would like to have a 8mm up spiral.  I have also found that regarding the VS600 platform the bits seem to be only European so it's Festool or Tipman so far no 1/4.

 

[tiralie]

If you can't find anybody who sells them in NA, I suggest Dieter Schmid - Fine Tools.
You would think that because Canada has standardized on the metric system that we would have more of that here but it's not always the case.
I have not compared prices between them and Festool here but for specialized items not available here they are very good.
They have sets with 8mm shanks http://www.fine-tools.com/fraeserset.html and they will ship to NA.

Tim

 

[nickao]

Yes, you can snap 1/4" spirals easily, I am referring to steel shank bits. I have snapped 1/4" and 1/2" spirals, they are only carbide.

 

[spikfot]

I used 1/4" and 1/2" fo 20+ years before I moved to metricland and now use 8mm, 12mm, and 1/2" I would never go back to 1/4" . Watch out for the cheaper sets, even the "economy" Felder sets, the shanks are short, which can be an issue on some procedures.  The Leigh 8mm HSS shank/ carbide are made in Taiwan, but they do utilize Sandvik carbide, I've been pleased so far. Leigh's solid carbide sprírals are made in the U.S. 
The Whiteside sets for Leigh and Incra jigs are decent, but CMT's are usually my first choice.

 

[nickao]

What is the specific reason you would not go back to 1/4"? If it is length I get that, but that's more a function of your particular router. I find the length of shaft on a 1/4" bit is normally  the same as on the 1/2" bits I use.

If it is chatter again that is the router.

Have you actually snapped a steel shank bit? I never have.