Router bits in the UK

[cliffp]

I am thinking of buying a OF1400 router as my next Festool 'fix'. I have been wondering about router bits and whether to buy a set or individual bits and whether to buy Festool bits or another cheaper (but still good quality) brand. I just bought a router book, 'Woodworking with the router' by Bill Hylton and he recommends buying a starter set of say 13 bits. Do people here (whose opinions I value highly!) think I should buy a set or just the individual bits as I have a specific need for them? Also, although I have searched on here for non-Festool brands that you can buy in the UK, most of them seem very difficult to get hold of (I am thinking of Whiteside, CMT and Freud) so I would be interested to know which UK available brands are worth considering in the UK.

 

[AlexThePalex]

You don't mention if you're a professional or a hobbyist. That makes a difference.

If you're a hobbyist you can get by with the cheaper bits because you will not use them as much as professionals will. In that case, the cheap sets will still last you for a couple of years at least. As a hobbyist, I bought two 12 piece sets about 15 years ago for €50 each and most bits are still in good shape. 

If you're a professional I'd sincerely suggest you get the good, expensive bits because they will last you a whole lot longer and be cheaper in the end. Plus the fact that professionals add a bit of money to their client's bill to get their tool costs back.

 

[Peter James]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of router bit sets. Yeah they give you the most common profiles and sizes, but if you have a 1/2" roundover bit, and your plans call for a 3/8" roundover, you're going back to the store anyway. I suggest buying bits as needed. Unless, of course, you're in it for the long haul, then buy specific sets. For example, undersized plywood bit sets, roundover bit sets, etc.

 

[flounder]

Wealden or Titman supply high quality bits at reasonable prices in the UK.

 

[cliffp]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am only a hobbyist.  I will look up Wealden and Titman as suggested by Flounder - thanks for that.

 

[Roseland]

If you go with the OF-1400 I'm sure you'll be delighted.  I got one late last year and it's beautifully made and a pleasure to use.  Having said that, I also just got an OF-1010 because it is better at doing edging.

About four years ago, when I got my first router (a Dewalt 621) I bought a set of bits.  It would be unfair to say they are a waste of money, but I've only used about half of them.  More importantly, they are very limited in that the length of the cutting edges tends to be shorter than decent individual bits'.  That's no problem if you're only going to 3/4" thick material, but no good if you want to use 1".  If I knew then what I know now, I'd have gone for a very few individual ones.

I'd recommend a 1/4" straight, a 1/2" straight, a couple of round overs and maybe a 45 degree chamfer bit, and then get the others as you need them.  I've just added a 1/4" upcut spiral, and I love it but it was a bit of a luxury!

I've bought router bits in the UK from:

Axminster - www.axminster.co.uk
Wealden - www.wealdentool.com and
Rutlands - www.rutlands.co.uk

I've recently discovered Whiteside sell in the UK - www.routercutter.co.uk - and they seem fabulous value, especially for the spiral bits; they are also very helpful indeed and I'll certainly be trying them soon; they have an enviable reputation and in a Fine Woodworking test (admittedly from 2007) they came out best overall and best value.  Can ask for more than that!

There's also:

Titman - www.titman.co.uk (who make some of the Axminster branded ones) and
Infinity - www.infinitytools.co.uk

If you're desperate you could always try Trend, but I've been underwhelmed by their cutters: www.trend-uk.com

Have fun!

Andrew

 

[cliffp]

Andrew

Thanks for such a detailed and helpful reply! I like the idea of the Whiteside bits - I had a look at their website and it is very informative. I think I'll study my book and pick some bits based on what I plan to do and buy a selection. So far, I like the idea of doing mortices (up spiral bit), cutting and trimming using a template using a bearing guided bit, some round over bits, some rabbet and dado bits and maybe sliding dovetail bits. 

Cliff

 

[Roseland]

You're welcome.  Feel free to PM me if you have any questions on the router or bits.

Andrew

 

[Alan m]

i have a few half desent sets. not the best quality but well worth having for those odd times that you need a standard cutter that you normally wouldnt have the need for.
i use those sets a fair bit but mostly the same cutters so as  i saw a trend i bought good quality versions. i would reconmend buying a set but make it urself from good quality cutters .
i think fine woodworking (or other mag ) did a review of a basic set that everybody needs (well most of us anyway) but from good manufacturers.
i will see if i can dig it out.

 

[Mavrik]

As a hobbyist you are also learning what is available to do what.
I found it valuable to buy a cheap set ... then as I discover a bit is useful for something, I buy the respectable version of the same bit.

 

[IWT-Tom]

When I started I bought a set from Screwfix.  It was literally the cheapest set I could find at the time.  Whilst they where pretty rubbish, I still have them and they get me out of a hole every now and then.  Also, as Mavrik suggests, it's a good way to work out which bits you need and what profiles you want to use.

I echo comments about Wealden.  Their bits and service have always been top notch, I have used them for years and own probably 20-30 of their products.  Obviously I sell Festool router bits and have started using them myself as we start to grow our stock levels.  They are extremely well made bits and will last a long time.  I've got some selection boxes in stock at the moment.

The 1400 is a great all rounder, definitely a good choice!

 

[Mauri Motti]

When I bought my 1400 I ordered the Festool router bit set with it ( Nr.495478) These are high quality bits and could't be happier with them. After asking around on fog for some specific bits I needed and were not within the Festo range (these are very few though) I ended up being from Wealden and I honestly couldn't be happier with those, quality is awesome! They offer some great bits for reasonable prices (even plus shipping to finland!) Sometimes I have gotten cutters from my local hardware store when I needed them right here right now (black and decker, some bosh etc, and the bosh bits are expensive too!) but I have to admit that I'm not pleased with them at all,  and one can buy festo bits for bosh bit prices asked over here!. They do the one project work I buy them for but when the project is over the cutter has seen the end of it's life too. I've learned that you get what you pay for. Wealden has a small but decent selection 8 mm bits and maybe getting these inch thingy's collets is an option for you if you plan on stocking Wealden. Even I am considering...

 

[mouppe]

You're on this forum because you're into Festool. That means you know it rarely pays to buy low quality. I would always buy good router bits if possible and avoid the sets, because most of the time the bit in the set is not going to be the one you want. I buy my bits as the need arises. Then I always have the exact one I want.

There are a couple of exceptions. I have the rail and stile bit set from Lee Valley- an excellent set if you are making doors and windows-  and it is worth buying a rebate bit set which comes with different bearings to vary the rebate widths.

In contrast to some other opinions, I fail to see why a hobbyist should accept inferior tools just because they may not use them as often as a professional.

With the OF1400 try to get 8mm shanks since you are in the UK.

 

[cliffp]

Thanks again for the latest replies.

I have seen a couple of starter sets that look tempting:

http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Router_Set_1_4__165.html

and

http://www.routercutter.co.uk/product.aspx?pid=188

Any views as to which might be better?

I am tempted by the idea of the Festool set but at £180 is a bit expensive.

 

[cliffp]

Richard

Thanks. I actually posted my last response before I read your post! I will think carefully about my anticipated needs before going for the cost saving of a kit versus the possibility that many bits might not be exactly what I want. It is difficult when you are a novice as there is so much choice it is difficult to choose the perfect bit for a particular application even when you have no constraints.

 

[DoWooder]

Trend do some nice bits which are midway between single use rubbish and Wealden.

I love the Festool bits I have though.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AlexThePalex]

As a hobbyist you are also learning what is available to do what.
I found it valuable to buy a cheap set ... then as I discover a bit is useful for something, I buy the respectable version of the same bit.

Yup's that how it also worked for me. Never regretted buying the cheap sets. As you say, you learn which ones do what you like. Some bits in my sets are never used, others I stil use, and some others, like the straight bits, round over bits, a roman ogee and a copy bit have been used heavily and needed replacing. With that knowledge I managed to get my hands on a bunch of Festool bits on the cheap. I can't afford to buy them at full price for €50-70, which is a normal price here for quality bits of any brand, but at the €20-25 I paid for them they sure were too big a temptation to let pass.