I'm shocked, shocked

[dcarter636]

Dropped LOML off at Sam's and drove across the parking lot to the conveniently located Home Despot to pick up a couple of simple round over router bits. After sifting through the mis-stocked hooks to find a 1/8"R and a 1/4"R bit @ ~$28 each, per the labels on the hooks, I head to the check out to discover they total $75! NFW! I was willing to settle for these Freuds as convenient not as a coveted first choice.

Retrived Penny and headed on over to Woodcraft, thinking that rather than get hosed for Freud I'd prefer to be bent over for Whiteside. I was stunned that the Whiteside bits were about $25 each, more in line with my original expectation.

Woodcraft offers better quality router bits for less money than HD, who'd a thunk it?

[Ruffnek]

Were they quad cut bits?

I checked online and the 1/8"R, two-blade bit was listed at $25 but the 1/4"R was $37 because it was a quad cut. That's still too high IMHO.

I generally order Whiteside bits through Routerbits.com but occassionally I need one immediately and will buy Freud from Homeless Despot.

You know, when I start calculating my investment in router bits, it makes me wonder why I fretted over the router costs. That's just a drop in the bucket compared to the bits.

[Stretch]

I've got this set.

www.eagleamerica.com/product/vp19-7001/pc_-_router_bit_sets

It goes on sale every once in a while. They're excellent quality for the price and I know I will use most of them at some point. I honestly can't tell the difference between the quality of the mid priced bits and the high priced bits. I've had very good luck with the pricecutter bits and grizzly bits.

[Leo Voisine]

Yeah the quad cut bit are expensive.

I like the Freud bits.

Not sure I would go $37 for a 1/8R bit.

[maxwellsmart007]

The only router bits I have came in a set....cost about 30 bucks on sale...(about a buck a bit)
I wish I could have gotten more, but the ones I'm using work fine for my needs...

[dcarter636]

I agree Cody, once we get to the point where we rarely lack the bit we need, it may be best to resist dwelling on their total cost.

Leo, the bits at HD were a simple carbide 2 flute 1/8"R @ $32, and the quad 1/4"R @$38, plus city sales tax.

The bits I am replacing were probably sold under the Porter Cable brand at least 10 years ago. I've had my good use from them but they are starting to scorch even when clean and are thoroughly chipped and/or nicked.

One thing that I've learned is that nearly all carbide router bits cut well when new, but some still cut like new after thousands of feet of cutting, while some start burning wood after a few hundred feet. Paying more for known quality bits has saved a lot of sanding time over the years. Of course I think this way because I initially bought cheap router bit sets, was soon replacing the bits with less cheap ones as they failed, and eventually found some held up reasonably well.

Mark, I'm pretty much past the point of buying general purpose sets of router bits, where would I store them? Still, that is quite a tempting deal for the price of 10-12 individual bits. In fact I believe that I'd chuck up half of that set in 12 months of working time.

[Stretch]

Apr 18, 2010 18:05:05 GMT -6 dcarter636 said:

Mark, I'm pretty much past the point of buying general purpose sets of router bits, where would I store them? Still, that is quite a tempting deal for the price of 10-12 individual bits. In fact I believe that I'd chuck up half of that set in 12 months of working time.

The box the set comes in is made to be attached to the wall for storage. I screwed mine to the side of my router table. So storage of the bits basically just added three inches to the footprint of my router table. If you watch their website, that set will go on sale. I've seen the price as low as $199 for that set.

[dcarter636]

I think at $199 I'd be able to make room for that case full of bits. ;D

[sonnyedmonds]

I still only buy Whiteside bits.
But haven't for a couple of years now.

I wouldn't buy Freud if YOU paid for them!