Router Bit Ratings

[Scott C. Williams]

In a past thread someone included a review of Router Bit Mfg's ratings. Which bit mfg's fell into what class of quality. This may have came from an article in Fine Woodworking, not sure. I would appreciate it someone can direct me to that information.

[Wayne Riley]

Fine Woodworking did a router bit review in issue 191 (and an older review in issue 137). From the issue 191 review, bits from 18 manufacturers were included. Those classified as "excellent" or "very good" were Eagle America, Infinity, Lee Valley, Southeast Tool, Whiteside, Woodtek (all rated excellent), BC Saw and Rocker (rated very good).

If I recall correctly, Whiteside was considered the top performing bit in the issue 137 review as well.

[James Walters]

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/index.html#routers

[Lee Schierer]

I've had excellent results from my Freud Router bits.

I would avoid Viper and Craftsman bits.

[scott spencer]

Dunno if this is the one you were thinking of, but it fits the description:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/hewood/sawparts/BIT-TEST-1.jpg

[Scott C. Williams]

Yes Scott, that is the table I was looking for. Thanks for posting it and also thanks to everyone that offered info.

[Charles McCracken]

Since things change frequently in the router bit manufacturing world you are probably best advised to wait for a newer article or ask about the experiences others have had with particular brands. For instance, since the FWW article that Scott posted the results from we have changed many of our profile bits (including the 38-614 that was tested) to the new Quadra-Cut design.

Info on Quadra-Cut is here if you are interested:
http://www.freudtools.com/t-quadra-cut.aspx


There is an older FWW article floating around that compared straight bits but it is REALLY old news now.

Info on our new Double Grind Straight Bits here:
http://www.freudtools.com/news.aspx?showarticle=15

[Brad Shipton]

I too have had great luck with Freud router bits and am quite excited to try out the new industrial Freud Ice saw blade thats on its way to me.

Brad

[Lee Schierer]

I too have had great luck with Freud router bits and am quite excited to try out the new industrial Freud Ice saw blade thats on its way to me.

Brad

So how much ice do you have to cut. Doesn't cutting ice raise havoc with your saw table? At least there is no dust..... :D

Sorry couldn't resist!

[Peter Quinn]

I usually have positive feelings towards the FWW reviews, being all quasi scientific and thorough, but if they left Freud and Amana out of the very good to excellent category I suspect they were huffing oven cleaner during the review. IIR wasn't that review regarding a few specific profiles across brands?

Not sure if you were looking for input, but that is mine. Looking at that list makes me scratch my head. The woodtec bits are listed as excellent. Clearly they have received a different set of bits than I have used. At some point I sort of gave up on those tool reviews. Seem more like marketing than consumer reporting to me.