Spiral Router Bits and End Mills

[Alex Carrera]

Edit: After writing this I found some very good prices on MLCSwoodworking.com Where is the best place to get quality bits and not pay through the nose?

1. Is an end mill essentially the same thing as a spiral upcut bit?

2. Does anyone have any experience with bits from American Carbide?
They've got carbide spiral bits for substantially less than I've seen. A 3/8" bit with a 1/2" shank is $34. Rockler has it for around $55. End Mills are even cheaper, although the shank size is always the same as the bit size.

[John Skibo]

I havent tried MLCS bits but go to Holbren=Tool they have Whiteside bits, very high quality and made in the USA, I got a 1/2 X 2" spiral upcut for jointing on my router table and it works great,
I think it's SMC10 code for a 10% forum discount!
End mill is not the same, not as deep a cut.
Buy good bits, you won't regret it.