rstermer

I have been asked by a friend to make several hundred feet of large crown molding for his new house. I did a search on Amazon and came up with several alternatives. For ~$300 CMT has a set that includes a cove cutter one mounts in the table saw and several router bits to complete the profile. Freud sells bits to do the job for about $160 (3 bits, not the complete set) or I could get one MLCS bit which would cost about $60 and use a 45 degree bit I already own to cut the backside. I'd like to keep his cost down, but at the same time, don't want to get something that will put out an inferior product. Any thoughts? Other alternatives?

Thanks for your assistance.
rstermer

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bobj3

HI rstermer

It's funny that you should post this I was making a test board today to do about the same but not 300' feet I just need about 30ft or so.

It's a real challenge for the router to made crown molding ,I use some junk pine and it was hard to get it just right,,,it took two bits and many passes over the router bit,,,,,it will take a 3 1/4HP router and it will draw 15 amps. all the time,,,the test board I made is 3 1/4" wide and use a 2 3/4" wide cove bit I don't think I will do it the same way next time I think I'm going to use the Vert.bit next time, it's not as hard on the router and me next time..

I also try it on the table saw and that was a real night mare , it took more time to sand it out than it was worth..

I used the MLCS bits on this test board and I also have the Vert.bits for the next test board...

I should note I used many panel bits and the cove bit is one of the hardest bits I have used on the router table because it takes the FULL pattern of the bit that's to say both sides of the cutter are being used at one time...it's a push pull thing on the bit and it likes to pull the stock right out of your hands, so I used the buddies that did help but it's still hard on the bit and the router and ME...nerve racking job.. and I should not be..

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Bob J.

rstermer

Bob-That's some nice looking crown you made. The bit I was thinking of using is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Multi-Molding-...954190&sr=8-31

Is that the vertical bit you were talking about?

It seems it would be a lot easier to use than the cove bit, especially for a beginner like me.
rstermer

rstermer

Bob- Amana also has bits for crown. Here is a link:

http://www.amanatool.com/routerbits/...der-54410.html

Regards,
RAS

bobj3

Hi rstermer

Amana makes a good bit, I have about 30 or so molding bits I got most of them from the eBay site below

http://stores.ebay.com/Super-Carbide-Tools

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__________________
PodCast videos
RWS on YouTube

http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html
Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

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Bob J.

rstermer

I can see why. The Amana bit is $68, super carbide sells the equivalent for $18. You have been satisfied with the quality?
RAs

bobj3

Hi rstermer

Yes very satisfied I must have 80 or so of his bits and only had one out of the lot I didn't care for... it was a 1/4" bit and I cooked it in some Cherry...working to hard...I think

see his feedback
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http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail
Machine Cut ▼
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Bob J.

fibertech

Bob, At the Woodworking Show, Peachtree was demonstrating a couple of Freud bits that I have been coveting. The 45 degree Lock Mitre and the Drawer Bit. They are made of Titanium and don't cause heat (at least they demonstrated this with MDF). The guy that you linked has great prices. My question is how is his service? I have been starting to acquire better bits such as Amana and Freud. I am sold on Freud saw blades for their quality and price. The bits that I mentioned do not break the bank. Opinions? Thanks -Derek

Julie

I love my router but for this, I use the table saw. I just made some molding a few days ago out of pine and it is beautiful and hardly needed any sanding. I'm not sure why Bob said it was a 'nightmare' to make?

~Julie~

bobj3

Hi -Derek

Well I'm a weekend woodworker so to speak some days I don't turn on one router and I have many to select from that's why I buy the cheaper bits, it's one item that can cost tons of money if you let it get away from you.
I like the Freud saw blades also but I can just buy one or two and be done with it for a year or two if not more...
But router bits come in so many patterns unlike the saw blades..

I may use one of the bits once a year if that and then it's back in the box, I do like Freud router bits and the higher end ones like CMT and I have some of them but they only come out for the best projects or to say the best woods... most of the time I build stuff that may end up in a garage sale one day...not a pass it on or hand me down stuff plus I only have so many walls in the house and they are full now with stuff I have made..

So the bottom line is , I love the router and what it can do but I don't like buying higher end bits most of the time when the middle price ones will do the job just as well ... it's hard for me to put out 68.oo bucks for a bit that I can get for 15.oo bucks that will do the job...

You also asked about "My question is how is his service? it's great I have them in the mail box in about 3 to 4 days I buy most of them on the weekends and have them on Thur. ...I think the last time I checked he sold 7,250 bits and had only one bad feed back and that very good for eBay seller..when you deal with so many types of people


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Machine Cut ▼
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Bob J.