Router Bits

[Kerry Werry]

So I decided to buy a Incra 17" LS System and an Incra table top to go with it. I had thought of building my own but decided that a) I'd rather use my spare time to build some furniture rather than the tools to build furniture (I just bought a 30 year old house so i have no trouble finding stuff to do) and b) frankly I was also worried I be able to build something myself that was sufficiently accurate :-)

Anyway one thing I have heard is that the Incra LS is system is precise enough that the tolerance of the router bits you use with it becomes a factor. Anyone know how true this is??? Also if it is true any recommendations on a good brand of bit. This would be for dovetails and box joints. I doubt with in reason bits make much difference for other tasks as long as they are not dollar store quality...

As always thanks for the advice!!!

Oh and I was keen enough to build my own base for the table.

Also FYI the router I will be using will be the Rigid combo model... which I have not had much chance to use yet but looks like a good buy.. It is suppose to be the same hole pattern as Porter Cable...

http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResu...

KLW

[justin waldron]

MLCS is a great place for bits. I have bought quite a few bits from them, including cabinet making bits. I will say that one of the best Dovetail bits I have ever used is a Porter Cable that came with my Jig.

[Mark Lesch]

Give Woodline a try they have great bits and they stand behind them.
http://www.woodline.com/default.aspx

[John Schaben]

Whiteside, CMT, Amana, EagleAmerica and Freud are generally recognized as the best. I have also had excellant luck with MLCS, Wood River (Woodcraft house brand) and Stone Mountain (Peachtree house brand). I also have some Chinese stuff off eBay that have been decent in terms of sharpness and longevity but sizing may be a bit of a crap shoot there. I really don't know what to consider "in spec" vs. "out of spec" to be. 1/1000, 5/1000 off nominal?????

[Kerry Werry]

Darn good question.. hopefully I will have some time to play witht he jig shortly and see, I cave a couple of cheap Homedepot bits that i will try an some scrap and see just what happens..
Thanks for all the replies.

KLW

John Schaben said:

Whiteside, CMT, Amana, EagleAmerica and Freud are generally recognized as the best. I have also had excellant luck with MLCS, Wood River (Woodcraft house brand) and Stone Mountain (Peachtree house brand). I also have some Chinese stuff off eBay that have been decent in terms of sharpness and longevity but sizing may be a bit of a crap shoot there. I really don't know what to consider "in spec" vs. "out of spec" to be. 1/1000, 5/1000 off nominal?????

[Mike McGuire]

I bought the Ridgid Router about 5 months ago and have used it a lot. I have been very happy with it. I have used it for dovetails, box joints, rabbits and some edging, all with great success.

[Scott Bastian]

I have a large set of the Woodline router bits in 1/2" shank. They have a lifetime warranty on them and I have severly used some of the profiles. I have found them to stay sharp for a long time and they have not burned any wood yet. I do a lot of work with Red Oak.

They are not the cheapest of bits but they are deffinely one of the best bang for a buck bits. I have also used white side, CMT, Frued and Bosh.