router bit recommendations

JJT · Mar 2, 2022

Sawyer Rob said:
My opinion is, I would stick to the other brands on your list.

I'm thinking about buying another router too, and as new PC's are off the table, I'm leaning toward Bosch.

If I was starting out new, I'd buy a "kit" that includes both, the fixed base and the plunge base in the kit, it's cheaper than buying separate and you WILL want both bases later.

SR

I have a half inch Bosch and am extremely happy with it. The soft start is nice. I switched from a 25 year old router with a 1/4" shaft when I did a bunch of plunge cuts to mortise joints for my larch deck railing. I broke quite a few bits and finally burned up the old router. I bought the Bosch half inch and did 50+ 2x2x2 mortises without any breakage.

Fxfymn413 · Mar 2, 2022

I think all of the major manufacturer's tools are good, but I do love the Festool stuff. The downside is you need to take out a second mortgage to buy their tools. I have been fortunate enough to find some pretty good scores on the used market, but even then they are usually more expensive than a new tool from another vendor.

But boy is it sweet to drop the track on a board and cut a dado without fussing over keeping the router against a fence, especially if you are doing a series of dados.

EddieWalker · Mar 3, 2022

I have a quarter inch Makita that I use for small stuff like trimming laminate on counters. Both of my half inch routers are Bosche. I think they are 2 hp or maybe 2 1/2 hp. I bought them at Home Depot. If I was to buy a new one, I would look at Makita, it's my favorite brand for power tools.

tstex · Mar 17, 2022

Thank you guys, appreciate the feedback !

kthompson · May 11, 2022

Right off not sure the brand from Lowes of router bits I bought in a kit but a major brand and I saver the cost of one or two bits. Has served me well. Now I am not a cabinet shop. But the last router bit I bought, bought at a local cabinet supply dealer. Prices were in line with Lowes or HD. He had two lines both made in the USA. Nope do not remember the brands. Never had thought to shop there for bites or blades or tools but will be going back. Much better selection than the local Lowes. Many times larger.

mo1 · May 17, 2022

tstex said:
Hello to all,

Here's the power wood working tools I currently own:

All 120V's
2 tables saws
Jigsaw
Planer
Compound Miter Saw
Grinder
Oscillating tool
Sawzall [semi-wood working tool -

I have always wanted but never owned a router. However, a dear friend died and he wanted me to have a variety of different tools, one being a Rigid 18V compact router. I have viewed multiple YouTube videos on this specific tool, and one thing it really lacks is a good bit or set of bits. They also recommend buying 3-7 bits that you will use rather than a set of 20 bits. These sets are usually lower quality too, like from the big box stores.

Question:

Can anyone pls recommend a good set of router bits for the most common types of router cuts? Any advice from guys that use routers all the time, I would really appreciate what you recommend for someone that has never used a router, and what they would need for most of the basic cuts. However, I am more than willing to take advice and learn.

Finally, if there's a woodworking-site that demo's this type tool w great depth and it's bits, that would be greatly appreciated too.

Many thanks,
tstex

The people giving you advice on buying only the bits you need when you need them are correct. Most sets contain a small number of bits you would use frequently and many you will never or very rarely use. The one exception to this might be a small set of roundovers, such as 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2". Other individual bits you might find helpful depending on what you are doing are a 1/4" spiral upcut bit, a 1/2" straight bit, a 1/2" top bearing template bit, and an ogee bit sized for the thickness of stock you normally use. I have several different brands of bits, most are CMT or Whiteside Machinery (the local saw shop carries these American-made bits, they are good stuff and not terribly expensive.)

1/2" shank bits are more stable and can be longer than 1/4" shank bits. In general most midsize and larger routers have either interchangeable 1/4" and 1/2" collets and some of the largest ones are 1/2" collet only. I recommend a router with interchangeable 1/4" and 1/2" collets if possible.

If you think you will be using a router in a table, get one drawing at least 10 amps and with a 1/2" collet. Note that the horsepower ratings on routers is similar to shop vacs and some other 120 volt shop tools as in "more inflated than the price of diesel fuel." A 10 amp router will make an honest about 1/2 HP as universal motors are roughly 50% efficient, not the 2-3 HP it will have on its label. It's not until you get to induction motor tools that you may get an actual horsepower rating on one. If you are using 120 volt tools, 1 1/2 actual HP would be the absolute limit on a typical 20 amp circuit.

You might want a plunge router, or a regular router with an interchangeable plunge base. They are pretty handy for things like slots, mortises, and stopped dados.

I personally have a Porter-Cable 890 I got about a decade ago and it came with a regular and plunge base. It's a nice tool and if they still made it, I would recommend it. It's a decent sized general-purpose router, not too large to use by hand and can be put in a table for lighter work. I would not recommend running a panel raising bit or something similar with it, but then again I would really recommend getting a spindle shaper for that kind of work anyway.