OF 1400 Router Bits

[dustpup]

I'm a woodworking novice, and recently bit the bullet and purchased am OF 1400 Router. Could someone give advice on what basic router bits I should get? I know that Festool has their own, and Whiteside and Eagle America seem to be highly regarded, but I would like to know if there are any "starter packages" that I should consider.

My interests (once I get to the necessary skill level), would be making furniture (I like at Arts & Craft style).

Thanks!

 

[tbellemare]

I sell router bits and I would recommend that you have a project in mind before you decide on buying any bits.

There are way too many bits that do way too many things for someone to decide on a bit set prior to needing them.

That's just my opinion...

Tom

 

[mouppe]

My first router bit set contained a couple of straight bits (essential), a chamfer bit (so-so), a cove (no), an ogee (ugh) and a flush trim bit (vital). Since then I have added a few more as they were needed. It was a Freud set that came free with the PC router I bought which sits in my router table.

A rail and stile bit, and the panel bit are expensive and you only need them for a specific job. i.e. doors and panels. Get them later if you need to.

I have found a rabbet set to be very useful, particularly when combined with the OF1400 edge guide. Well worth it.

The slot cutter is useful too- I used it to make a spline joint which I have not done since I bought a domino.

I recommend the 8mm or 1/2" shanks where possible. I do like Freud bits and I have a couple of Lee Valley bits too. Both good quality companies.

Welcome to Festool and the FOG.

Richard.

 

[harry_]

Since you are a novice I would get a 5 or 10 piece set of cheapos from the Borg just to mess around with. This way until you can get some experience with bit speeds and feed rates and what not, you wont be burning on high dollar bits. After you get a few projects under your belt, you will have a better idea of what you _really_ need/want and hopefully enough experience to not burn them up.

[2cents]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Since you are a novice I would get a 5 or 10 piece set of cheapos from the Borg just to mess around with. This way until you can get some experience with bit speeds and feed rates and what not, you wont be burning on high dollar bits. After you get a few projects under your belt, you will have a better idea of what you _really_ need/want and hopefully enough experience to not burn them up.

[2cents]

I agree with the advice on getting cheapo bits to start, although I'd recommend getting the largest set you can find at a Borg.  The big set will give a lot of options and as you go through the bits you'll know what you use most and you can replace them with high quality versions as needed.

 

[grobin]

I have a Bosh trim router and bought a cheap set of bits to use with it.  Of those I use the straight, flush trim, pattern cutting and and the two different size round over bits.  They are cheap bits and I already had to replace a round over bit.  The cheap bits are not relly worth the money.  I would just buy what I need for a project when I need it.

As for the best bits Festool/Freud are the two top then Whiteside and last CMT.  A friend does restoration for a living and he says that if you are going to use a bit a lot spring for the solid carbide (particularly for hardwood).

 

[mouppe]

I wouldn't buy cheap bits for the same reason I prefer my Festool tools to my lower quality tools. In the end, higher quality costs you less, your work is better and the bits last longer.

Besides, my local HD only stocks Freud bits so it's an easy decision for me to make.

Richard.

 

[DavidCBaker]

Try the Freud set no. 91-100, a 13-piece set with 1/2" shank. It's available for ca. $190 and it'll be a good start.

http://amzn.to/freudbits

 

[nickao]

I disagree with that wholeheartedly. 190.00 for someone that never used a router and a kit, for 13 bits?

I would definitely get something a whole lot cheaper that cuts darn near as well, I don't even like the Freud bits that much.

I would not suggest a kit, I have had several and always the same bits were used and the rest sat. If I was going to get a set I woulds get something less expensive and get more bits like this:

http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/vp19-1073/pc_-_router_bit_sets

The price cutters come out of the box as good as any bit, they just do not last as long. The Eagle bits are top notch and as good as any other bits.Really I would get some spirals a round over or two and take it from there.

MLCS also has some less expensive bits or the katana which are lifetime guarantee and cost a bit more:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/kathome.htm

Once you know what you really need then you can splurge on the Amana, CMT, Eagle, Katana or Frued.

The spiral bits are the bits I use 10 to 1 over any other bit, any company.

Solid carbide spiral go here:

http://www.centuriontools.com/router_bits_toolcase/index.html?cart=128253469917682685

made for cnc and will outlast anything you can find in a hand held router. This is one of my new favorite bits:

http://www.centuriontools.com/router_bits_toolcase/centurion_tools_showcase.html?splashPG=y&__max=6&pageID=1&cart=128253469917682685&id1=374&id2=6&id3=593&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=593&--SECTIONSword=ww

For small bits go here;

http://www.precisebits.com/gateways/EndMillsHome.htm

 

[DavidCBaker]

You might be right, but I've used the heck out of my set and really like them.

 

[nickao]

I am sure the Freud bits are nice, but for a beginner 190.00 just seems like a lot for a first time purchase for 13 bits. Then again money is relative and 190.00 may not be a lot of money for a Festool purchaser, heaven knows I have spent over 120.00 on one bit. From the looks of your festool purchases 190.00 is not a very big percentage. 

 

[harry_]

Guys, Guys! He said he was a novice! Router have a learning curve to them. Putting a spendy bit into a router firt time at bat is just a bad bad idea for all the reasons I mentioned up-thread.

I have a set of $39 Skil router bits that I bought years ago that are still in use. Half have since been replaced but I have gotten well more than their value out of them. The OP is a novice by his own words, and he is going to have "novice moments" and he will be very happy he had them on a $3 instead of a $20+ bit. Once he 'cuts his teeth' he can replace them with a top shelf bit.

I was thinking more like these

Even if only used one time per bit it is still of reasonable value.

 

[nickao]

Yes cheaper for a first timer, but if the bits are low quality the routing will not be fun. I don;t recommend Chinese knock offs I  have not tried. Everything i mention I have or have tried. The link I pointed to for 6.54 per bit is a steal. These I would not recommend:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Home-Pro-24-Piece-Router-Bit-Set-w-Case-Carbide-Tipped-/310241735050?pt=Routers_Bits

If you want to go that route get these, I know these bits are nice:

sets on the bottom, a little over 3.00 a bit:

http://www.woodline.com/p-1732-30-pc-professional-set.aspx

or these the cheapest bits you can possibly buy and get good results, I have almost all of them, 30 bits for a a little more than 1.00 a bit. All his bits are good. More in line with what Harry suggests:

http://stores.ebay.com/Super-Carbide-Tools_30-pc-Set_W0QQ_fsubZ5441634QQ_sidZ16596821QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

He has almost 15,000 sales and perfect 100% rating, these bits are definitely worth it. Didn;t think on  A Festool forum everyone wouldn't laugh, that is less than the cost of one Festool bit for 30 and these bits will hold there own for the first hundred linear feet or so, maybe more.

 

[harry_]

You might be right, but I've used the heck out of my set and really like them.

We have seen your work, you are hardly a novice!

 

[DavidCBaker]

Then again money is relative and 190.00 may not be a lot of money for a Festool purchaser, heaven knows I have spent over 120.00 on one bit. From the looks of your festool purchases 190.00 is not a very big percentage. 

Your point has been made.  [tongue]

 

[mosez]

i got a set for around 40 euros and its not even that bad. i dont know yet how long the bits will stay sharp or even ok to work with but anyways, until theyre dead and gone i will have learned a lot from every single one.
i guess noone would actually disagree when i say it can be really hard to imagine what a router bit does to the actual piece of wood judging only by the looks of it. that might not be true for roundover bits but i guess you can see my point...
so get a rather cheap set and try them all out and replace the ones you used up with high quality ones in the long run.

 

[Michael_MA]

Since you are a novice I would get a 5 or 10 piece set of cheapos from the Borg just to mess around with. This way until you can get some experience with bit speeds and feed rates and what not, you wont be burning on high dollar bits. After you get a few projects under your belt, you will have a better idea of what you _really_ need/want and hopefully enough experience to not burn them up.

[2cents]

i think Harry gave you the most practical advice, as this is the way i took when starting to work with routers first time.
I could convince my dealer to sell me a cheap 16 pc carbide kit, which did a nice Job for around 50? to give me a jump start on rabbeting, chamfering and copying.. also get lots of scrab wood and learn how to do safely and practically all this skills on different wood styles before you start with your projects..
Also maybe a good suggestion is to attend a router class.. If i would have had the opportunity to attend a router class, it would have safed me lots of time oon handling and setting up the router..

Anyway, always take care of your lungs, ears, eyes and hands - Allways consider and apply the safety instructions - wear a respirator ( or use the perfect dust extraction capabilities with a shop Vac)  - wear good goggles (which cover also the sides of your eyes..)  - wear appropriate hearing protection - and use one of the many push sticks or helpfull tools they sell for improved safety, when working with table routers..

kind regards, Mike

 

[Wim]

I think buying a good flush bit is a good start. If you like to try other bits, go for a cheap set. After testing those bits, you will see the difference between quality and cheap stuff. From there you buy good bits when you need them.
I got a quality 13-piece bit set with a big discount when I bought my OF1010 and I have still not used more than 5 different bits. Although the set looks nice in its wooden box, I rather would go for single bits.