Router Experts - Bits: Christmas present advice

[Kent A Bathurst]

OK...so, some of you might recall my 3-year continuing efforts to "help" a friend set up a basic-level shop in his garage.

I get help from his lovely wife, in that I get to create and prioritize her list of stuff for his Christmas presents. Which means, of course, stuff I want to be there the next time I visit, so I can "help" with the next project and have stuff there that I want to use, without dragging my stuff along on the airplane, and without using my entire vocabulary of cusswords.

She assures me that this year Santa is getting him a PC 690 with std and plunge bases, and edge guide, to replace his worn-out 1/4"-only-collet Craftsman. It did him good for a few decades, but it is shot to heck, I refuse to use it anymore, and his collection of bits are are of the same age, unless I bought them with his money in the past few years. One of which is a CMT rabbet set - and I just bought him a new bit to go with the bearing set. Plywood glue chews up those bits like a starving goat in a field of Georgia kudzu.

The predominant format for him is plywood bookcases, shelves, etc. He has no stationary tools - including no router table - so those projects are right in his wheelhouse. Some with hardwood trim, which he can get from a nice store that has the capability to machine it to "his" specs.

I am no router expert, and I have built up my bit collection pretty much one-at-a-time-as-I-need-it. I am thinking that there is likely a more structured approach, and for my contribution this year, I was thinking I would ask Santa to bring him something along the following lines:

1/4", 3/8", 1/2" down-spiral bits for dados to receive shelves.
A slot-cutter set, with 1/8", 1/4", 3/16" blades and a range of bearings [like the one from Amana that I have built by piece ]
Roundover bits 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" [he has a 5/16" from one of "his" previous projects].

Whatcha think? This is a low-tech-learn-as-you-go operation, not some stile-and-rail cabinet door thing.

Thanks for letting me use your thoughts..........

Singed:
Santa-du-jour

[Van Huskey]

I would start with bits from this set, it really is a well thought out starter set, which overlaps several of the ones you mention.

http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Ten-Essential-Router-Bits/dp/B0012JI4UQ

[Kent A Bathurst]

Van - that is a good set. Something I shoulda had. Very nice. I buy that brand frequently.

Stuff in there he won't need anytime soon, but you did put me onto some things that are important that Santa needs to consider - like a chamfer and a top-bearing flush trim.

[Bill Huber]

When I think about the bits I use the most these are them, all 1/2 shafts.

1/4" round-over
1/2" round-over
1/2" shear bit with a bearing on top and bottom, can be used for a lot of things.
1/4" spiral for box joints
1/2" straight bit for dados and the like.

[Victor Robinson]

Since you mentioned a slot cutter set, I'll recommend the Amana Timberline slot cuter set. About $75, good quality, and versatile. It actually comes with 3 1/4" cutters (among other widths and bearings) and two arbors, so you can actually set up a simple tongue and groove rail/stile pair with it.

One of my most used router bits is a 3/4" dia Whiteside double-bearing (top and bottom) flush trim.

A 3pc plywood dado set would save him a lot of trouble.

[James Baker SD]

If his shelves are sheet goods, then standard size bits for dados will have a loose fit. Either get a small bit and cut the dado with repeated passes (using the edge guide it looks like he is getting) or get the undersized bits for sheet goods dados.

James

[glenn bradley]

Van beat me to it and that Whiteside set is a good base set. Thinking back over the last several months I would have been sorely inconvenienced if not for a:

- 3/8" spiral [small enough to cut most dados in multiple passes]
- 1/8" roundover [many folks prefer larger]
- chamfer [for everything from shop cabinets to drawer fronts]
- Rabbet set [for . . . well . . . rabbets]

HTH

[Bill White]

You will never stop supplying your fiend (OOPS!). Just send me all you decide.
Individual bits are the best buy. Congrats on your helping.
Bill

[Kent A Bathurst]

If his shelves are sheet goods, then standard size bits for dados will have a loose fit.

Yeah - I hear what you're saying. However, since I am "helping", I go with my standard scheme - for 3/4" ply, I'll put in 3/8" or maybe 1/2" stopped dados, and then use a rabbet bit on both sides of the shelf to sneak up on the correct fit. I don't have a lot of confidence in the tolerances on plywood anymore. Also, with an actual tenon on the shelf, it's pretty easy to avoid any glue squeeze-out. More work, but I like the results. Probably not necessary, but there you are...........

Habits borne from working in my own shop - where I'm doing the work with solid wood.

[shane lyall]

Not really for sheet goods but if his hardwood edges are thick enough he may could use a ogee bit or two. That 690 is a good workhorse of a router IMO. I have 4 of them. 1 in a table. 1 in the extention wig of my saw and 1 set up for the dovetail jig. The other 1 is used for handheld stuff. Think about telling Santa to get him the D handle base for it. Makes a good router even better

[Gil Knowles]

Kent
If your friend needs bits for dados you should consider plywood bits from Lee Valley. They are sized 1/64 " smaller to make up for undersized plywood.
The bits are of good quality and I think the price is not bad. A lot of my bits are from LV and I have no complaints.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=49888&cat=1,46168,46171&ap=1

gil

[James Baker SD]

I don't have the undersized bits myself, I do the multiple passes with a smaller bit technique. But I like Kent's idea of rabbeting the shelf for the final fit. Think I will change my approach.

James

[Van Huskey]

. However, since I am "helping", I go with my standard scheme - for 3/4" ply, I'll put in 3/8" or maybe 1/2" stopped dados, and then use a rabbet bit on both sides of the shelf to sneak up on the correct fit.

Be a REAL help, buy him a Sawstop ICS and a Forrest Dado King, what's $4,000 among friends... :D

[Kent A Bathurst]

Van - that's where the Winchester PM66 was heading.........his money, not mine. I mean, he's been my best friend for over 35 years, but sheeesh..........:p:p

[Kent A Bathurst]

Well - give it a try anyway. I like it because I can get the Goldilocks fit on the tenons - not too loose, not too tight. Downside is more router passes, of course.

[Tom Walz]

We sell Whiteside, Southeast, Tenryu, Popular and maybe a dozen other lines of tools.

Email or PM me and we will set you up with a discount. Whiteside is a great line. Southeast Tool was also rated excellent by Fine Woodworking and is generally less exepensive. I will also throw in a 1014 router bit. This is a little 2 flute straight bit which is far and away the most used bit.

Tom Walz
Carbide Processors

[Carl Beckett]

My list/process:

For straight bits, I buy spiral bits (or CNC end mills) off ebay). 1/2" carbide spiral resharpened well under $15 (yes they are a few thousands undersize, but this almost never matters!). I would buy two of these. One to abuse and hog with, one to keep really sharp for when I want the best finish. I use this 1/2" carbide spiral the most of anything (and just use a bearing guide when doing with fixtures - like the dado fixture talked about in other threads here.

Then the same for a 1/4" spiral carbide.

Next in line is a tossup - but by watching the clearance rack at Rockler (or other like the online stores) you can find the basics (many times <$5 each, some $10 but still a great deal)

Rabbet bit with different bearings
45 chamfer bit
1/4 roundover
Pattern flush trim (I have one with a bearing on top, and another with a bearing on the bottom - but getting one bit that has a bearing on both ends as mentioned makes a lot of sense)

I think you could get all these for <$70. Obviously I take the long approach buying individual bits and shopping to save $$.

Insert bearing guide set (but might not be necessary if you dont make guides/jigs)

For the PC690 I very much prefer the D handle. I have several routers but this is still my favorite by far.

[John Coloccia]

We sell Whiteside, Southeast, Tenryu, Popular and maybe a dozen other lines of tools.

Email or PM me and we will set you up with a discount. Whiteside is a great line. Southeast Tool was also rated excellent by Fine Woodworking and is generally less exepensive. I will also throw in a 1014 router bit. This is a little 2 flute straight bit which is far and away the most used bit.

Tom Walz
Carbide Processors

Are you going to do a holiday router bit set again this year? With a discount that would come to what....under $150,000 for sure, right?

[Van Huskey]

Are you going to do a holiday router bit set again this year? With a discount that would come to what....under $150,000 for sure, right?


I wanted that set but I would have to build an add-on just to house it. Plus my desire to have a router for every bit really would run the cost up...