lock miter brand... best value?

[Mark Lansink]

Any recommendations on Lock Miter brands???

I have lots of Jesada bits w/ no complaints.

My only beef with their bit is the Lock Miter Jr. is only rated up to 11/16" (just shy of 3/4" stock).

You would need the LARGE lock miter for 3/4" and above.

I plan to use this bit on mainly 1/2" and 3/4" stock in both hardwood, softwood and man-made materials.

Jesada's bits would set you back roughly a C-note for both or about $45 for just the Jr. $52 for the larger
www.jesada.com

I checked Whiteside through Woodcraft and they are close to $100 for one bit to do 1/2 to 3/4".
http://www3.woodcraft.com/RouterBits/woodworking/1400.htm

Frued's is $75? (up to 3/4" ???)
http://www.freud-tools.com/freudlocmitb.html

CMT $85
http://www.woodpeck.com/cmtlockmiter.html

Any other brands/prices????

[Ted Shrader]

Mark -

I have the large Jesada. Went through the same dilemma when I purchased it. I have used it on stock thinner than ¾" (but not much).

I figured I would use a lock miter on mostly thicker stock, so went with the big one. My thought was to wait and buy the smaller one if I needed it. Haven't yet. YMMV.

Ted

[Mike Cutler]

I have the Larger Whiteside purchased at a local Woodcraft store it works well, but for what it cost it should. I think the smaller Whiteside and the Freud will do 1/2" to 3/4". Kinda surprising that the Jesada bit doesn't accomodate 3/4" material. I remember reading about one company that a lockin miter bit that did material less than 1/2" . I don't remember where I read it tho'

[Mark Lansink]

Originally posted by Mike Cutler
... I remember reading about one company that a lockin miter bit that did material less than 1/2" . I don't remember where I read it tho'

Jesada's will do 3/8" to 11/16". Perhaps that is the one you're thinking of???

[Wendell Wilkerson]

I've bought about a dozen bits from Magnate (http://www.magnate.net). I've been pleased with the quality. They have two sizes of lock mitre bits for $34 and $44. Good luck.

Wendell

[Jay Goddard]

The cheapest place to pick up Whiteside router bits that I have found is through www.routerbits.com. They carry the 1/2" to 3/4" lock miter for $72. I have purchased several times from this site and have never had a problem.

[Mark Lansink]

Any update on who may be making a quality lock mitre bit that will do sub 1/2" stock to just over 3/4" stock? (i.e. capable of 1/2" plywood up through 3/4" plywood and 3/4" (true) stock)

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Chris Padilla]

I have CMT's larger lock-miter bit but then again, all my router bits and saw blades are CMT... ;)

Mark, I'm not aware of anyone making a lock-miter that will due a hair under 1/2" and a hair over 3/4"...they force you to buy two bits.

[Keith Christopher]

I can't see the need for a lock miter under 1/2", if you think about it the structure of the joint would seem flimsy. but I guess anything under 1/2 seems flimsy anyway.



Keith

[Mark Lansink]

Here's a short listing of what I've found thus far:


Brand Size Range Price
Amana 1/2 - 7/8 $98
Freud 1/2 - 1 $79
CMT 5/8 - 1.25 $100
CMT 3/8 - 3/4 $87
Jesada 3/8 - 11/16 $45
Jesada 5/8 - 1.25 $53
Whiteside 1/2-3/4 $73
Whiteside 1/2-1.25** $98
**Whiteside recommends the small bit for 1/2-3/4
** Eagle America price/specs same as Whiteside


So, It looks like despite Jesada's weird size brake, they may be the cheapest quality bit given I could by the $53 bit for my immediate need and the Jr. bit later at a price similar to one of the others.

Thoughts? Other viewpoints?

[Ken Robb]

Have you looked at Eagle America?

Ken

[Mark Lansink]

Have you looked at Eagle America?

Ken

Thanks Ken and Yes... I updated the list above to reflect Eagle America's offering in the Lock Miter business. Their offering is nearly identical to Whiteside in size range and price.

[Larry D. Wagner]

Mark,

I just recieved a Price Cutter.com catalog and they are advertising a lock miter bit for 1/2-3/4 stock for just $9.99. Now I realize this might not be the Cadilac of router bits but for ten bucks it might be worth a try. They are associated with Eagle America. Go to PriceCutter.com and check it out. I have purchased some of these same bits(not the lock miter) from a nearby WW Store who are Eagle & Price Cutter reps and have been pleasantly suprised by how good they cut.

Larry:) :)

[Scott Coffelt]

I got mine form that blue router bit company....ummm. can't think of the name...ummmm....brain fart......ohhh that one hurt and is gonna leave a mark..... Woodline. Ahhh, brain fart evaporated, anyways, they seem pretty good and they were not that expensive .... $25-30 a piece or can buy them in a set. I've have a number of their bits and have no complaints.

[Jack Diemer]

Woodline is right, cheap and they come with a lifetime warrenty.

[Larry Ogborn]

Mark
You might want to take a look at this site: www.routerbitworld.com. I compared prices on several
of the items that you listed and RBW beats them all by
a small amount. I have made a couple of purchased from
them and they now have all of my business. Very good
service.
Larry

[Norman Hitt]

Mark, I have quite a few Jesada bits including the large lock mitre bit, but there have been so many reports of non delivery of orders, and no way to contact them for several months now, that I won't order ANYTHING from them anymore. The new owners have run the Co. down nearly to bankruptcy from all reports.

The original owner/founder of Jesada has a son that is running a Co. called Infinity Tools that has been getting good reports for a while now, and their offerings seem to be almost identical to the Jesada bits and with similar pricing. You might want to check them out. http://www.infinitytools.com/

[Ken Salisbury]

Mark,

In order to be a boni fide member of Sawmill Creek the Terms of Service (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/terms.php) require a real first and last name. Please PM Jackie Outten (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=6) with that information and she will update your registration information.


http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/misc/moderator.gif

[Mark Lansink]

Mark,

In order to be a boni fide member of Sawmill Creek the Terms of Service (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/terms.php) require a real first and last name. Please PM Jackie Outten (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=6) with that information and she will update your registration information.


http://www.oldrebelworkshop.com/misc/moderator.gif

Sorry, Ken... You'll see from my posts that I have NOT been a regular and the username is one I carried over from the POND. 3 kids under 7 keep me out of the shop, but with colder weather here, I am motivated to get back out there and complete a set of bunkbeds for the older two and a train table for the little guy.

Thanks,
Mark Lansink

[Charlie Plesums]

Any update on who may be making a quality lock mitre bit that will do sub 1/2" stock to just over 3/4" stock? (i.e. capable of 1/2" plywood up through 3/4" plywood and 3/4" (true) stock)
I have a lock miter from Woodline - 1420-2 for 3/8 to 1/2 inch material ($25), that I use for small boxes made from resawn 4/4 material. I would not bet on it working with plywood, since the "teeth" in the joint are so small, the plywood layers may break things up too much.

Since the details must be so small for under half inch material, I doubt if you would want to use that bit for 3/4 inch material even if someone made a cutter that could handle both.

Lock Miters are a great idea but are VERY touchy to get aligned and use - no fun at all to work with. I suggest that you try one, preferably on solid wood, before investing in a set.

I have several bits from Woodline. They are quite good (outstanding for the price), but like most cheap bits, don't stay sharp as long as the really top bits. They are my first choice for a specialized bit that I don't expect to use a lot.