Woodworking Help - router bits

[bkeane1259]

I have been getting away with borrowing tools and/or skills from neighbors over the last couple years but now that I have the space to work in my own garage, I've been doing my own woodworking, and I'm quickly realizing that I need some important tools to make life easier. Right now I feel like Peter Brady in that episode where he gets the job at the bike shop and takes forever to finish a simple job. Yeah -- he eventually gets it right, but it takes forever. That's me.

Just a few general questions for the woodworking pros out there:

For driver cutouts with a hand-held router and circle jig, should I be using spiral upcut or downcut bits? And are these worth the extra $$$ to get a good result, or should I stick to the generic straight router bits?

What are the most commonly used roundovers for baffles?

Is there a router bit set out there that covers the needs of a speaker box builder? Seems to me that there is not. I have a cheap Ryobi bit set from HD and I'm not impressed. I snapped one bit in half already and the bearing flew off of a flush trim bit after only minimal use.

Is MLCS pretty much the place to go for router bits??

Thanks.

[bobbarkto]

For cut outs in MDF I like the up cut spiral bits. They pull the dust and chips up and out of the kerf. I've had trouble with the down spiral packing the kerf and overheating with the fine dust from mdf.

One application where it might really matter is cutting through a veneer surface. The down cut will have an advantage in that it won't lift the veneer and leave a fuzzy or rough edge.

Either way they cut better and cleaner than a straight bit in many applications. Worth the very slight extra cost IMO.

1/4" spiral and a roundover or two and a trimmer will get you through most projects. Maybe need a solid 1/8" trim bit for recesses if you veneer after cut-out.

I don't know of a set.

I like most brands other than MLCS. I'm in the minority around here.
They are the only brand that have actually failed on me. 2 of the three bits I bought when they first came on the market self destructed after a few inches of cutting. The third (a roundover) lasted slightly longer, like it did a few feet of a 3/8" roundover in soft pine before the bearing went away (never did find all of that one, either).

Freud, Bosch/Porter Cable, CMT, Amana, Whiteside, and a few others all are excellent. Even the house brands at Rockler and Woodcraft have been decent performers for me.

[fastbike1]

MLCS will work fine. Try not to get 1/4" shanks any more than possible. You do want a 1/4" spiral bit for cutting driver holes if you're using a commercial circle template. I prefer downcut since there is less chance of splintering if cutting veneered surfaces.

Get a flush trim bit. I'd recommend the shear bit from MLCS as a good start. Trims cleaner than a straight flush trim. You'll probably want a rabbet set or at least a single 3/8 rabbet bit. Lastly, get a roundover bit. 3/8, 1/2, or 3/4 your choice. Primarily cosmetic since all of these roundovers don't impact diffraction in the ramges of interest.

That should do for a start.

I have been getting away with borrowing tools and/or skills from neighbors over the last couple years but now that I have the space to work in my own garage, I've been doing my own woodworking, and I'm quickly realizing that I need some important tools to make life easier. Right now I feel like Peter Brady in that episode where he gets the job at the bike shop and takes forever to finish a simple job. Yeah -- he eventually gets it right, but it takes forever. That's me.

Just a few general questions for the woodworking pros out there:

For driver cutouts with a hand-held router and circle jig, should I be using spiral upcut or downcut bits? And are these worth the extra $$$ to get a good result, or should I stick to the generic straight router bits?

What are the most commonly used roundovers for baffles?

Is there a router bit set out there that covers the needs of a speaker box builder? Seems to me that there is not. I have a cheap Ryobi bit set from HD and I'm not impressed. I snapped one bit in half already and the bearing flew off of a flush trim bit after only minimal use.

Is MLCS pretty much the place to go for router bits??

Thanks.

[AMC]

Up cut if your cutting part way through, (dado) down cut if your cutting all the way through (cutting a hole). I've had good luck with the woodcraft brand, and they always seem to have 1 or 2 on sale for under $10.00. I have built a small collection for very little money that way. On the spiral bits, I like steel. It doesn't last as long, but does a good job, is much cheaper, and I have a tendency to drop things.

[fezzywigger]

I bought a freud 1/2" flush trim bit that is 1 3/4" long and it has made a huge difference for me, you can cut pieces slightly oversized, glue them, then run the flush trim and get a perfect joint/seem. I just got a 1/4" spiral upcut bit since i snapped my old no name one but i havent used it yet... i hope it is much better.

[bkeane1259]

Good stuff guys...thanks.

[bungelow_ed]

Just yesterday a router bit sales ad arrived in my inbox. Seems Peach Tree Woodworking is having a $9.99 sale on 60 different router bits. Looks like the router bit brand is Stone Mountain brand.

Just to be clear, I have no affiliation with either Peach Tree Woodworking Supply or Stone Mountain. May or may not be a good source of a couple of bits to get started.

Oh, and I believe the sale is only good for a couple more days.

[jerryanderson]

Stay away from the cheap bits as much as possible! They are ok for honing your skills, but once on your project use good bits! They are worth every cent! For upcut spirals, roundovers and flush bits I prefer CMT of Freud's! Some may not agree with 1/4" shanks, but they work very well with Jasper Jigs without butchering the jig for 1/2" shank! I've never broken a 1/4" yet on the jig! Take your time, allways wear dust mask and safety glasses

For cutouts use the spiral bit, a staright bit will give a neater cut for the recess area's

[ROTECH]

I have had great luck with the FREUD bits and the house brand from Rockler woodworking. I have surely not spared a penny to buy them though.
As mentioned by someone else, a rabbit bit is essential and a good set should come with 3-4 bearing sizes for various jobs.
The hole cutting bit depends on your circle jig, if using one. The Jasper jig only allows 1/4''. I dont have experience with other jigs to offer advice.
I have just begun using a flush trim bit as opposed to sanding, and my god I cannot believe I waited this long to get one.
I also love to have a cheapy 45degree bit on hand. They have an easy job doing 45's so start cheap. The 45 degree bit seems to fill in the job needed when many roundovers are too big or dont look quite right.

[chrisn]

Whiteside bits are very nice to use. I've had good results with MLCS bits. I bought a Bosch upcut spiral bit locally and wasn't impressed even before it snapped in half. I've only used Freud flush trim bits and they are fine. I did not like the newer Craftsmen bits I borrowed. I would avoid them.

[greywarden]

Upcut bit, flushcut bit, 1/2" or 3/4" roundover and 1/2'" chamfer... I think that's about it.

[bkeane1259]

I guess I'm not as ill-equipped as I thought, but I do not have any spiral bits -- ordered those tonight. The problem is the brand I guess -- doesn't pay to go cheap with a router bit set and think that you're set for life.

Appreciate all the help and suggestions.