hammernail

Hi everyone,

My name is Brian and I am a general contractor, I own a porter cable router plunger combo, and I was at home depot and noticed that ryobi has a full set of jigs for 87.00 while the porter cable you have to buy separately. Is there a differance between the two? thier both 1/4 inch shanks size and made of carbide. Should I just continue to buy the porter cable bits and leave the other alone?

thanks.

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Glenmore

Hi Brian welcome to the forum. I have a ryobi straight bit 1/4" shank I used it for 3 truck loads of rough sawed lumber before I got my jointer and it cuts the same as the day I bought it. Just gotta keep them cleaned up so they don't loose a edge. I've seen porter cable brand they look good but are pricey but the old saying is you get what you pay for.

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Glenmore

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hammernail

I don't think i wrote my question clearly. Home depot sells entire bit set for 87.00 for thier ryobi routers, while with the porter cable roters, each bit has to be bought separately. are there a differance between these bits?

Glenmore

There shouldn't be a difference only the name. 1/4" shanks is universal in all 1/4" collect routers.

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Glenmore

Days without wood working are days not worth getting up for.

GoonMan

Hello hammernail, Welcome to the RouterForums


One suggestion. Before purchasing the Ryobi bit set HD I would do some shopping around. You may come out better by looking on line or Checking out the another store.

When I bought my first bit set, I purchased them from Lowe's (I believe they were Whiteside or something like that) but now wish I had gone online and checked out what I could have gotten for the same price or a little more.

See this page for On Line Shopping, I have nothing against Ryobi bits but would look on line first. I believe Woodline carries a 66 piece set. This will be my next bit set purchase I am putting it on my Wish list or Xmas list. I hope this helps.

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Randy

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Pop_pop1

Hi Hammernail,
Welcome aboard.

I would not buy a "complete set" of bits, especially if you are new to routing, here's why. Unless you know in advance that you will use all the bits in the set, you may be buying some that will set on the shelf for years before you use them. I am speaking from expierence.

The best thing to do is decide what bits you will need to do a job, then buy the best quality bits you can afford. That way you will get the bits you need without buying a bunch of dust collectors.

I don't profess to be an expert on router bits, but there are a few things that would indicate a good router bit, such as the grade and thickness of carbide, anti kickback design, quality of silver soldering, and ball bearing guides. If it looks bad and poorly made, it probably is and will no doubt cut poorly. Do some research on router bit tests before you buy. Many of the major Woodworking and professional publications do tool tests and print their test results. While these aren't the only criteria, it would be a good place to start. It might just save you some money.

Happy Routing,
Chuck

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fibertech

I think having a fairly complete set of bits is the way to go. Whether you ever end up using all is not the issue. I have purchased the biggest amount of bits in sets. My best set is from Costco. I am ready to try any joint or edging possible. When you are comfortable with your skills is the time to step up and get the specialty bits. Learning how to use my tools and imagination is my reward. Someday my shop will be well stocked with high quality tools, accessories, jigs and other things. It sure is fun just knowing that I can try to create or duplicate most anything.
Keep us posted with what you make. Everyone here is very supportive and willing to share ideas and experiences. Welcome to a great forum.

jerrymayfield

It looks to me,that the people advocating large sets of bits are relatively new to routing and those saying buy only what you need and the best quality you can afford, have been at it for a while.If Lowe's sells whiteside bits it would be a surprise, they are ,in my opion, the best router bits on the market. And the are Made In America, unlike the Woodline and most other off brand sets of bits. These are simply my opions.
regards
jerry

fibertech

On page 8 of the current Woodsmith magazine: "Inexpensive router bit sets let you check out a wide range of profiles without spending a lot of money." I think of this forum as a place to support our hobbies.
The article goes on to say that even well- known manufacturers are getting into the discount business. Quality is what you make of it. Again, welcome. -Derek

Visteonguy

Fibertech,,, I have to aggree with you on the bits,,, I do not get that particular wood magazine,, but I do get quite a few others,,, and I forget which one it was but a few months ago,,, one of the magazines I do get, did quite a comprehensive test on big name brand bits and the no name brands, and after much controlled testing,, they found for the difference in the preformace, verses the cost of the bits,, that the no name bits were definitely, in their eyes,,, a good deal.
I have bought quite a few bits on Ebay,, and also some Whiteside, right from the manufacture,,, and even a couple of Bosch when I could not find the profile I wanted and did not want to spend anymore time searching,,, I have never had any unsatisfactory preformace from any of them,,,
As I mentioned before, I just completed running about 1000 feet of red oak of 1 inch thickness and used one of the no name router bits I purchased off Ebay,, and comparing the first few moldings and the last few moldings,,, you could not see any appareciable difference in the cut, or finish. I have no problem at all in trying to get the best value for my money.

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Terry

It seems like every where I go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, there I am...