Expert: Jamie Yocono - 9/29/2006

Question
I recently bought a porter cable 13/4 horsepower router and would like to purchase a set of router bits.  I know carbide tipped is good, what else should I look for in a good quality bit set?  I don't plan on doing alot of work just small projects around the house.  Thank you

Answer
Hi Jeff,

This turned into a long answer, so grab a cup of coffee and put your feet up!

What a great question, and I hope I can shed some light on the subject. I feel like it's one of those questions that is subjective. If you asked 10 woodworkers about their router bit preferences, you will probably get 10 different answers. But I'll try to speak in some general terms, and then talk a little about your individual needs.

You're right to consider carbide router bits, as opposed to high speed steel. The difference isn't just minimal-there is a HUGE difference in performance, and their resistance to wear. Carbide bits don't burn the wood as much, a common problem with beginners. I have some carbide bits that are 15 years old and are as good today as they were the day I bought them. I use my bits a lot, and I probably only sharpen them once every 3-4 years. That means you might NEVER have to sharpen yours.

Now there are a lot of router bits out there, and some of the websites will talk to you about the hardness of the carbide, and so on. I honestly don't think there is a HUGE difference in bits, among the well known and popular brands available. If you buy a good set, it's going to last you a long, long time. So here are some things to consider:

What is the collet size in your router? If it's the model I'm thinking of, it might come with two collets- a 1/4" and a 1/2" collet, which are standard in the industry. Most hobbyists use 1/4" shanks, which is a lighter, less heavy duty bit. The 1/2" shank bits are more for production, and offer less vibration, and more cutting ability. When I mention less vibration, please don't think your arms are going to vibrate and fall off using a 1/4" shank bit. They won't. But there is a slight difference. And I also think the type router you're using makes a difference, too. Your router is a good one, so your vibration should be minimal.

Vibration? It's sort of like cars- drive a high end one, and they're quiet and smooth riding. Drive a cheaper car, and you'll feel every bump in the road, and hear them, too. It's sort of like that difference... you'll feel the difference, and you'll prefer one over the other, but it's not mandatory.

Anyway, when buying bits, you'll want to save money and look for a set that has a decent selection for your woodworking needs. Honestly, I use about 4 profile bits, and 3 straight bits all the time. In fact, I have about 10 routers, and I just keep these bits in each router, so that instead of switching bits to do something, I can just switch routers. I barely need any other bits than these: a roundover, a chamfer, a cove, and a rabbet are the four profile bits that I use all the time. And my straight bit arsenal is: 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" straight cutters, for making grooves and mortise slots.

Oh sure, I've used the fancy ones, like ogees and finger pull bits, as well as stile and rail bits, but not very often. Frankly, I've bought those expensive bits and they mostly sit in a box on the shelf. I wouldn't recommend buying them unless you have a specific need for them, and can justify their cost.

For example, I bought a finger pull bit for routing a drawer face, so that you could use the bottomm edge as a drawer pull. The bit was $85 and I've used it twice. My bad.

Anyway, the last couple things I will say- look for sets of bits, as you'll save a lot of money buying them that way. ALWAYS use profile bits with a bearing on the tip (they come that way) to reduce burning. Some bits sets sell a kit that comes with a few different bearings. When you change the diameter of the bearing, you change the cut of the bit. So buying one bit with a few bearings is like buying a few different bits. Smart. Look for that, if you can.

And read a few websites about router bits, looking at the box sets that they sell. Try looking at these websites:

www.pricecutter.com
www.woodcraft.com
www.rockler.com

These sites often have some good information about router bits, so you might want to read before you purchase. I don't  recommend buying a 30 or 40 bit set, when most of what you use will probably be limited to less than a dozen bits. Think about what your style is, and buy the bits accordingly. I build a lot of Shaker/Mission style furniture, so I use a chamfer bit 75% of the time.

Last- I like CMT bits, as well as Freud bits. Not sure why, someone gave me a set of CMT bits and they're great, so I'm sort of a fan of their product. And I have a 20 year old set of Freud bits that are still fine today. Check them out, if you get a chance.

OK, Good luck, I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have any further questions after reading this. And if this answer was helpful... please take a minute and rate my service. Thanks!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com