Freud 20mm Router Bit

[JimD]

I'm working on a new workbench that is based loosely on Ron Paulk's ultimate work station design and has 160 holes on 4 inch centers in the 3/4 plywood top.  I looked at threads of others experience and decided to give the relatively inexpensive Freud bit a chance.  Before it arrived, I bored 1/2 holes with a spiral upcut bit I already had.  The same day the Freud bit arrived from Amazon.  I didn't like the 1/4 shaft and it did slip a little but the bit worked great!  Minimal chipout on the underside and low resistance to the plunge.  There is no bottom cutter but the side cutters angle downward a little.  I don't know how it will do without the 1/2 starter hole but I may try it without next usage. 

I used the special router base for my PC 690 that positions the holes using pegboard which I got from Home Depot (the pegboard, not the router base).  I was a bit disappointed with the drift in hole spacing in the pegboard but otherwise this also worked very well.  I guess I should have looked harder for 1/4 pegboard, the maker of the base indicates it is higher quality. 

 

[ear3]

When I made my workbench top (using the excellent Woodrave template sold by FOG member [member=34574]anthonyz[/member] and the CMT 20mm boring bit, which produced a lot of burning) I searched for 1/4" pegboard as well, but couldn't find any between HD and a couple of my local lumber places.  Someone must carry it, right?

I'm working on a new workbench that is based loosely on Ron Paulk's ultimate work station design and has 160 holes on 4 inch centers in the 3/4 plywood top.  I looked at threads of others experience and decided to give the relatively inexpensive Freud bit a chance.  Before it arrived, I bored 1/2 holes with a spiral upcut bit I already had.  The same day the Freud bit arrived from Amazon.  I didn't like the 1/4 shaft and it did slip a little but the bit worked great!  Minimal chipout on the underside and low resistance to the plunge.  There is no bottom cutter but the side cutters angle downward a little.  I don't know how it will do without the 1/2 starter hole but I may try it without next usage. 

I used the special router base for my PC 690 that positions the holes using pegboard which I got from Home Depot (the pegboard, not the router base).  I was a bit disappointed with the drift in hole spacing in the pegboard but otherwise this also worked very well.  I guess I should have looked harder for 1/4 pegboard, the maker of the base indicates it is higher quality.

 

[anthonyz]

I'm working on a new workbench that is based loosely on Ron Paulk's ultimate work station design and has 160 holes on 4 inch centers in the 3/4 plywood top.  I looked at threads of others experience and decided to give the relatively inexpensive Freud bit a chance.  Before it arrived, I bored 1/2 holes with a spiral upcut bit I already had.  The same day the Freud bit arrived from Amazon.  I didn't like the 1/4 shaft and it did slip a little but the bit worked great!  Minimal chipout on the underside and low resistance to the plunge.  There is no bottom cutter but the side cutters angle downward a little.  I don't know how it will do without the 1/2 starter hole but I may try it without next usage. 

I used the special router base for my PC 690 that positions the holes using pegboard which I got from Home Depot (the pegboard, not the router base).  I was a bit disappointed with the drift in hole spacing in the pegboard but otherwise this also worked very well.  I guess I should have looked harder for 1/4 pegboard, the maker of the base indicates it is higher quality.

I get all my Pegboard from Lowes, but have checked and the Local Home depot stuff is similar. I do recommend the 1/4" if they have it. 3/16" should work fine, do not use anything any thinner though. I would definitely find a pegboard which has double smooth sides. Some have a rough and a smooth side and I can see that causing issues.  I send a small piece of pegboard with the template to (1) protect the pegs and (2) to use as a sample when going out to your home store. The better the quality, the better the results. Thanks!

 

[JimD]

I also used the Woodrave router base and it worked well.  The pegboard I found was white and smooth on one side and rough on the other.  The white side was handy for marking where I wanted holes.  I trimmed about 1/2 off the edge so the holes would start off an even number of inches from the edge.  When I trimmed it, the holes were obviously inconsistent.  I always hit a hole but not the middle of each hole. 

I appreciated the fact that the router base was designed such that the handles on the router were in a convenient position and the router kept the steel pins in the router base from coming out.  Well thought out design.

 

[mazmes]

Looking forward to what you come up with for your version of the paulk bench. I'm still on the fence about a build, great design but my space is limited. Good to see you over here and on the sawdustzone(BT3) site.

 

[MGB]

Does anyone have any specific brands of pegboard that are of good quality?

I see Masonite, and Moulding & Millwork around town here. Both are 1/4", masonite is unfinished, other was a white facing.

I'll probably check with the local cabinet supply shop and see if they have a better grade.

 

[Elmar50]

I'm about to start a Festool friendly countertop using the Freud bit (alternatives too expensive), the Woodhaven template and pegboard. Found good quality 1/4 inch pegboard at my nearby Ace Hardware store. The countertop is from leftover oak t&g flooring so hopefully the bit will be up to the task on a 1400.

 

[WelshWood]

I debated about what router bit to get for a while, and after recommendations I got the 20mm Festool Spiral Upcut Bit

More expensive than others, but in my eyes, i'm gonna be using it again for more tops, and after boring ~130 holes with the bit with the OF1400, I can assure you it has PLENTY of life left in it!  [thumbs up]
http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-...UVttyqnKp0F5Elg2yiXiwJOQXPPO7PlCjhBoCXwHw_wcB

All the best

~WW

 

[jt073]

I debated about what router bit to get for a while, and after recommendations I got the 20mm Festool Spiral Upcut Bit

More expensive than others, but in my eyes, i'm gonna be using it again for more tops, and after boring ~130 holes with the bit with the OF1400, I can assure you it has PLENTY of life left in it!  [thumbs up]
http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-...UVttyqnKp0F5Elg2yiXiwJOQXPPO7PlCjhBoCXwHw_wcB

All the best

~WW

That looks a good cutter, but it is HSS.  Presumably not really the best for manufactured boards?

Interested in what you say, though, about how it still has life in it.

Cheers

 

[WelshWood]

I debated about what router bit to get for a while, and after recommendations I got the 20mm Festool Spiral Upcut Bit

More expensive than others, but in my eyes, i'm gonna be using it again for more tops, and after boring ~130 holes with the bit with the OF1400, I can assure you it has PLENTY of life left in it!  [thumbs up]
http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-...UVttyqnKp0F5Elg2yiXiwJOQXPPO7PlCjhBoCXwHw_wcB

All the best

~WW

That looks a good cutter, but it is HSS.  Presumably not really the best for manufactured boards?

Interested in what you say, though, about how it still has life in it.

Cheers

I was a bit sceptical too, knowing that it was HSS, normally not good for particle boards,

However, using it on a mid speed with the OF1400, I experienced very little burning, and next to no wear on the bit, would definitely recommend it!

~WW

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I used the Freud bit on my assembly table. It has well over 200 holes on a 49"x97" mdf top. I did the pre-drilling with a half inch up-cut spiral, same as some of you. I did however do it with a cnc made template instead of the pegboard method. I had it made with 30 mm holes, so it could be done with a bushing. It gave a bit of clearence so the dust could be drawn up into the dust collection hose. I don't yet have a Festool router, but the DeWalt plunge router with the dust port in the column did the job well.
I made the holes several weeks ago, but have been to busy to finish it. Since it is made from 1 1/8" mdf, only the surface clamping elements worked until I had time to relieve the back side. I finally got to it yesterday with a 45º chamfer bit. Now the regular through-the-table clamps work too.
The Freud bit did very well, even as deep as I was cutting. I saved the template and I'm sure the bit would do many more tops.