Router Forums banner

First bit set

24K views 46 replies 22 participants last post by  Stick486 
#1 · (Edited)
Once you have read Getting Started With Router Bits and understand some of the reasons for choosing bits you will most likely want to buy a set. There are lists available on the forums and many different opinions on the best way to purchase your first set of bits. After having reviewed the sets available I feel that the best set to start out with is this one from Woodcraft: Item #150704
There are several reasons for this choice: These are the 10 most popular bits and will allow you to complete many projects; This set has 1/4" shanks so they will fit most routers world wide; Woodcraft has many stores across the US where you can get customer service and support like bit sharpening. Other sets I have viewed offer different selections of bits and there is nothing wrong with their choices but I feel the bits in this set allow you to complete more types of projects. This set regularly goes on sale for $50 so the cost is reasonable; $5 per bit. Yes, you can find bits for less in larger sets but you will never use some of them. This set is a good foundation for starting your bit collection, you can add bits as you need them. If your router has a 1/2" collet a set is available with 1/2" shanks for the same price and would be the best choice. I purchased both 1/4" and 1/2" shank sets so I can use them from my trim routers up to my 3-1/4 hp routers and everything in between.
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
  • Like
Reactions: Julieh
#2 ·
Once you have read Getting Started With Router Bits and understand some of the reasons for choosing bits you will most likely want to buy a set. There are lists available on the forums and many different opinions on the best way to purchase your first set of bits. After having reviewed the sets available I feel that the best set to start out with is this one from Woodcraft: Item #150704
There are several reasons for this choice: These are the 10 most popular bits and will allow you to complete many projects; This set has 1/4" shanks so they will fit most routers world wide; Woodcraft has many stores across the US where you can get customer service and support like bit sharpening. Other sets I have viewed offer different selections of bits and there is nothing wrong with their choices but I feel the bits in this set allow you to complete more types of projects. This set regularly goes on sale for $50 so the cost is reasonable; $5 per bit. Yes, you can find bits for less in larger sets but you will never use some of them. This set is a good foundation for starting your bit collection, you can add bits as you need them. If your router has a 1/2" collet a set is available with 1/2" shanks for the same price and would be the best choice. I purchased both 1/4" and 1/2" shank sets so I can use them from my trim router up to my PC7518 3-1/4 hp router and everything in between.
Good choice Mike. Like you said, there are other choices but I like your reasoning. Woodcraft's Wood River bits are about as good as they get in budget lines also, IMO.
 
#3 · (Edited)
#5 ·
Probably not the set a beginner would want, but I bought a set from mcls66 piece in 2007, was $179 back then, only went up $10 since. Really like the box they came in as well, very easy to always find the bit I need (and see that I put them back). I would lways go for 1/2" shanks if you have that size collet.
 
#9 ·
thanks Mike. I have a box of Ryobi bits
1/2" dovetail
3/8" dovetail
3/4" straight
3/8" straight
1/2" straight
1/4" straight
1/4" ovolo
1/2" v-groove
3/8" roundover w/ bearing
1/4" roman ogee w/ bearing
3/8" key hole
rabbeting w/ bearing
1/2" hinge mortising

My question is, I'm wanting to start doing signs and was looking for which router bit (s) do you use the most or most often. Any help would be appreciated. I'm guessing the 1/4" straight would be used often, but what do you use for fine line in logos?

Thanks in advance!
Gregg
 
#11 ·
Recommended top 10 bits for shopnotes

Found this article in Shopnotes...I can't post a URL yet, but if you google top 10 bits and shopnotes it should come up. I tend to agree with the bits they choose. Once you are comfortable and doing more things or have a specialty project expand your collection. I use an Incra Jig Ultra, and bought the Freud box set designed for it...different sized dovetail and straight bits, but now I can make all 51 joints with the templates. As far as brand go, I use Freud, and Whiteside, and have gone to 1/2" shanks unless the other profile is not available. At the end of the day...there is nothing more satisfying that creating that perfect edge or joint...
 
#12 ·
There are many considerations in choosing bits. The purpose of this thread is to assist people starting out. I do not recommend premium bits for a beginner because it is better to make a mistake and trash a $5 bit than a $30 bit. Most people do not learn how to drive a car using a Rolls Royce. Woodcraft stores also provide assistance in understanding bit set up/use... this is valuable to a beginner. The set I suggest also offers bit storage. Once people have learned to use their routers would be the time to look at premium replacement bits as required.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan073
#14 ·
Once you have read Getting Started With Router Bits and understand some of the reasons for choosing bits you will most likely want to buy a set. There are lists available on the forums and many different opinions on the best way to purchase your first set of bits. After having reviewed the sets available I feel that the best set to start out with is this one from Woodcraft: Item #150704
There are several reasons for this choice: These are the 10 most popular bits and will allow you to complete many projects; This set has 1/4" shanks so they will fit most routers world wide; Woodcraft has many stores across the US where you can get customer service and support like bit sharpening. Other sets I have viewed offer different selections of bits and there is nothing wrong with their choices but I feel the bits in this set allow you to complete more types of projects. This set regularly goes on sale for $50 so the cost is reasonable; $5 per bit. Yes, you can find bits for less in larger sets but you will never use some of them. This set is a good foundation for starting your bit collection, you can add bits as you need them. If your router has a 1/2" collet a set is available with 1/2" shanks for the same price and would be the best choice. I purchased both 1/4" and 1/2" shank sets so I can use them from my trim router up to my PC7518 3-1/4 hp router and everything in between.
So I've got the router (under the tree), and I need to buy a first set of bits. I'm tempted to just go on and get the set above (and soon too: I've got several thing lined up already for the week after Christmas, starting with refinements on a gift for my wife that will be wrapped unfinished (for lack of a router...) on Christmas morning).

The set above is on sale at $37 right now:
Buy Woodriver 10 Piece Router Router Bit Set 1 2 Shank at Woodcraft

But I'm a bit torn. Based on other recommendation on this forum, I was for the longest time going to get the MLCS 15-bit set
MLCS 15 Piece Router Bit Sets
but then there are some "MLCS bits are just OK"-type reviews of these here.


And they do look like they come from the HF mold. I used HF bits once and I think I got away with it, but there were some dulling issues, and the usual HF caveats.

In some ways, I like the MLCS bit selection better, in others, the W-R's. (OK, that's mostly the rabbet and 3/8" roundover vs. the 1/4" roundover - the latter I'll use more often, the former are rare in beginner bit sets)

Is the quality of the W-R set simply a step above MLCS, so I should ignore the bit specifics?

I played with the HF router and bits just long enough to know I want a real router, but not long enough to be done playing with interesting bits whose proper use I may never experience. So in that sense, a sizeable selection of cheap bits seems appropriate.
On the other hand, I know I'll mostly be using roundovers (the larger, the better), plunge-straight/mortise/bottom cleaner (that's a topic for another thread), and flush-trim and straight bits for MDF (speaker) boxes in the near future, so I want to buy a small kit and the next $60 for good bits of these few types, rather than a $100 cheap variety kit.

In general, I don't understand the large variety of straight bits in these small sets (W-R 3 out of 10; MLCS 4 out of 15 bits, plus a mortise bit is just a short straight bit that can definitely be plunged, right?), but I'll be dulling some straight bits in MDF, and I'd rather dull a cheap one to the point of throwing away then invest in a fine one I'll need to have sharpened.

But on the whole, there'll be enough small-time use for all the "odd" bits in these sets, and enough rough-duty use for the many straight bits, so I guess one of these kits should be it.

Bottom line: Is the Wood River kit of comparable quality to, or a step above the MLCS 15?
 
#16 ·
Like Mike said, the MLCS and the Wood River are comparable quality and either last surprising long even in MDF if kept clean. I clean mine every time I pull it out of the router, just takes a few seconds as the pitch/etc hasn't had the time to petrify yet. Between the two sets you mentioned, there are 5 more bits for 3 more dollars with the MLCS set.
 
#17 ·
Once you have read Getting Started With Router Bits and understand some of the reasons for choosing bits you will most likely want to buy a set. There are lists available on the forums and many different opinions on the best way to purchase your first set of bits. After having reviewed the sets available I feel that the best set to start out with is this one from Woodcraft: Item #150704
There are several reasons for this choice: These are the 10 most popular bits and will allow you to complete many projects; This set has 1/4" shanks so they will fit most routers world wide; Woodcraft has many stores across the US where you can get customer service and support like bit sharpening. Other sets I have viewed offer different selections of bits and there is nothing wrong with their choices but I feel the bits in this set allow you to complete more types of projects. This set regularly goes on sale for $50 so the cost is reasonable; $5 per bit. Yes, you can find bits for less in larger sets but you will never use some of them. This set is a good foundation for starting your bit collection, you can add bits as you need them. If your router has a 1/2" collet a set is available with 1/2" shanks for the same price and would be the best choice. I purchased both 1/4" and 1/2" shank sets so I can use them from my trim router up to my PC7518 3-1/4 hp router and everything in between.
hi there
I am new to the woodworking field
I bought my first router bit set today
It was a 36 piece set
the brand is TNT made in china 1/4 in
they are carbide.they look good and solid to me
But I really dont know
can you tell me if these are any good for the first timer
 
#18 ·
Hi - Welcome to the forum:)

Hard to tell from the information you have given. The stuff we tend to get from China tends to run from great to awful. About all you can do at this point is do a good visual and make sure there aren't any visible defects in the cutting edges or the brazing, make sure any bearings are tight and try them. Shouldn't be any vibration when spun up and should produce a nice clean cut. I'm still working out of my first set of chinese bits I got nearly 4 years ago although all the high usage ones have been replaced but there are some that have only been used a few times or not at all that I keep because I may want to use that particular profile someday and won't have to go shopping for it. :)
 
#20 ·
I need a clue about what to do with the bits I just got from MLCS.

So I finally ordered the MLCS 15-bit 1/2" set a little before Christmas, from Amazon for $3 than straight from MLCS would have been, because they were still guaranteeing pre-Christmas arrival with their free shipping. (So they shipped it loose with some books and a CD such that the CD case broke through the middle. After this Christmas shopping (very bad packaging) experience, I'm just about done with Amazon.)

The bits in that set were coated, perhaps in oil, corroded (or coated in slag perhaps)in a few places and had a thick layer of sawdust on them.
Before returning it to Amazon, I called MLCS to make sure the sawdust look wasn't normal, and the very impatient lady on the phone told me, between many repetitions of "you need to take that up with Amazon", that no, they don't look like that from the factory, they would be coated only with wax. (English is not my first language so I may be a little hard to understand, but I could never get a whole sentence in to describe the specific condition of these bits before I'd get the "you'll have to take that up with Amazon" line again. Very hard to get a question across like that.) So I returned that set.

One toothless router for Christmas and a heavy flu later, I finally ordered the same set straight from MLCS, along with two very thin straight bits from their bargain bin.

One of those bargain bits is indeed coated with wax, so now I know what their wax coating looks like.

But the 15-bit set is again coated in oil and sawdust. No corrosion this time, or dirty oil traces on the foam pad, and much less sawdust - but nevertheless, they are quite dirty. I can believe that the dust is just shavings from the box they're in, but it's still weird.

Don't I need to clean these in some manner before using them? How?

thanks.
 
#21 ·
Many bits come with a protective coating on them. Peel it off and wipe them with a soft cloth. This is all you need to do. Some people just install the bits and let the coating peel off on it's own and I feel this is a bad idea. Until the coating is removed you can't tell if there is any hidden damage like a chip in the carbide. Many bits have bearings attached and you need to make sure they are tight before using a bit. There is no way to do this unless the coating has been removed.

I use and highly recommend Trend Tool and Bit Cleaner. This is available from Woodcraft and other retailers.
 
#22 ·
But only one of these has the peelable, wax-like coating as advertised. The others just feel sticky-oily. Should I just wipe them dry, and do some test passes on soft wood with each?
(I assume a coating of oil (like 3-in-1) would be a good start for keeping down corrosion while bits are not being used, but not so good while actually using them.)

Not having the Trend cleaner handy, what is it like - more like oil, or more like degreaser?
 
#23 ·
Trend Tool and Bit Cleaner is exactly that. It removes resin or pitch very easily, cleans the bit and leaves a light protective coating. It is also great for removing rust from tools. The best $12 I spent last year.
 
#24 ·
Just purchased a new PC 690LR. Been reading through this post and the forum.

Is the MLCS 15pc router bit still a good buy to start with? I notice Amazon sells this set for a few dollars cheaper then from MLCS. Does it matter where purchased from.

Now just going through my head as to what accessories to buy as well as what templates to build.

Thanks

Bill
 
#25 ·
Thanks a lot for post. Any recommendations on the below would be great.

Have a few on my list
MLCS 15-Piece Router Bit
Whiteside Basic Router Bit Set
WoodRiver 10 Piece Router (This is what mike recommended). Its a bit costly compared to the 15 bit set by MLCS

I noticed that Mike said 1/4 round off is commonly used and all of the above except Woodriver have 3/8. Is 3/8 okay for most round over uses. is 1/2 a lot.

I also saw Precision Bits. Kit. Any opinions would also be great

I will be using it very rarely.
 
#26 ·
The difference between the Whiteside bits and the others is USA made quality. If you are just starting out the MLCS set is fine. The prices at Woodcraft have gone up in the two years since this thread was started but Black Friday sales happen in two weeks. You may want to wait and see if the bit set is on sale.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top