Lee Valley 8mm vs WhiteSide 1/4” Router Bits?

[Bugsysiegals]

I’m looking for some roundover and spiral bits for making dado’s. The OF 1010 takes a max size of 8mm shank which are hard to find in the US but I see Lee Valley has the roundover bits in 8mm. They’re about $5 more each than WhiteSide 1/4” bits.

Are these unnamed bits as good as WhiteSide who’s known as one of the better bits?  Is it worth a few extra dollars to buy them over WhiteSide to have 8mm over 1/4” for the OF 1010?

 

[Sparktrician]

Moving from 1/4" shanks to 8mm shanks multiplies the shank area by 4.04169 times.  Everything else being equal, this should translate to 8mm shanks being ~4 times stronger than 1/4" shanks.  Do you really need to be concerned about shank strength in your application?  If it's an issue, go for the 8mm shanks, or move up to 1/2" shanks and an OF 1400 or OF 2200.  Personally, I have no issue with 1/4" shanks for doing small diameter round-overs.  Look at it this way - if the radius of the round-over exceeds the diameter of the shank, move up to the next size of shank.  Make sense? 

 

[Bugsysiegals]

I agree, you’re probably taking off to much material if you’re stressing out a roundover bit. The spiral cutting bits are what I’d be more concerned about.  I do have a OF 1400 but wondered whether the 8mm would be better since I could use it with the lighter OF 1010...

 

[Cheese]

If you're looking for round-over (radius) bits with an 8 mm shaft and bearing guided, Festool has 4 available. They range from a 1 mm to 3 mm radius. The bits have replaceable inserts that can also be rotated to provide 4X the cutter life. Once they become dull/worn the inserts are replaced and you once again have a 4X cutter life.

I have the 1 mm radius bit and it's pretty slick. I keep it chucked up in a MFK 700 and use it just for round overs.
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/499811---s8-hw-r1-d28-kl12,7ofk#Overview
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessory/500372---hw-wp-r1-d28-kl12,7ofk#Overview

 

[Sparktrician]

I agree, you’re probably taking off to much material if you’re stressing out a roundover bit. The spiral cutting bits are what I’d be more concerned about.  I do have a OF 1400 but wondered whether the 8mm would be better since I could use it with the lighter OF 1010...

I'd be less concerned about straight bits.  The router will tell you if you're taking too much at a single pass, regardless of shank diameter.  If the router starts bogging down, lessen the depth of cut.  There's a larger selection of 1/4" bits to choose from than there is of 8mm bits.  I've never seen any undersized plywood bits with an 8mm shank, as one example.  [smile]

 

[mkasdin]

Amana, CMT and Freud make 8mm bits. I think the Freud are in the international catalogue. Not sure about Whiteside?

 

[flair woodworks]

Many years ago, Fine Woodworking did a comparison of router bits and ranked Whiteside as #1 and Lee Valley as #2.

When considering shank size, think about stiffness, not likelihood of breakage.

 

[mkasdin]

Freud has a metal foundry, so there carbide blades are excellent. I do prefer to buy Whiteside since they are high quality, good longevity on the carbide (router bits) without sharpening and made in USA

 

[Bugsysiegals]

Thanks everybody ... I appreciate all the feedback. 

Unfortunately WoodCraft doesn't carry either 1/4 or 1/2" WhiteSide roundover set which would've been nice at 20% off but I've suspect somebody else must carry the set and offer some discount ... I'll keep my eyes open over this next week for sales.

 

[sancho57]

Look at Woodline router bits. They are good bits,even if they are made in china. For the price of a white side bit ya can buy prolly 3 woodlines and the wood lines are carbide and can be sharpened.

Ive never had a issue with them.
https://www.woodline.com

 

[ChuckM]

Most of my bits are 1/4", the larger ones, for example, the tambour bits, are used only sparingly.

Regardless of shank sizes, I do things in multiple passes which always give better finish (burns-free), and dust collection works better.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

The only 1/2" bits I have are the 1/2" spiral compression bit, edge banding bit set, and rail/style bit sets which do not come in 1/4" shanks.  That said, I was considering to choose 1/2" shanks whenever possible for future bits for strength and stability but maybe I should prefer 1/4" so I can use in smaller routers whenever possible?

 

[mkasdin]

The only 1/2" bits I have are the 1/2" spiral compression bit, edge banding bit set, and rail/style bit sets which do not come in 1/4" shanks.  That said, I was considering to choose 1/2" shanks whenever possible for future bits for strength and stability but maybe I should prefer 1/4" so I can use in smaller routers whenever possible?

I think I ran into the no Whiteside small round over bit dilemma. Just spring the $20 for the 1/16” Freud round over bit and call it a day. It works fine your not taking off much material...

 

[Bugsysiegals]

The only 1/2" bits I have are the 1/2" spiral compression bit, edge banding bit set, and rail/style bit sets which do not come in 1/4" shanks.  That said, I was considering to choose 1/2" shanks whenever possible for future bits for strength and stability but maybe I should prefer 1/4" so I can use in smaller routers whenever possible?

I think I ran into the no Whiteside small round over bit dilemma. Just spring the $20 for the 1/16” Freud round over bit and call it a day. It works fine your not taking off much material...

I'm not sure I understand ... they have a 1/4" roundover set ...https://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Router-Bits-502-Beading/dp/B000CS3JCG