Are all router cutter brands the same?

[fobos8]

Hi all

I need to buy a whole load of new cutters for work. I'm a site chippie but we doing more of our own joinery stuff these days so i need to get around 25 bits; straights, bearing mounted copiers, roundovers, chamfers etc.

Thing is if i bought all of these from a "decent" brand such as CMT or Trend it would cost a flipping fortune!!

So my question is what would happen if I bought a set of cheaps one for say £50. Is there much difference in quality of cut, how long they last for etc? In other words what are the differences between the cheap and expensive brands. In the past I've bought the occasional Perform cutters from Axminster and they seem okay.

Best regards, Andrew

 

[wizer]

yep loads of difference in Quality. My preference would be Wealden, CMT, Trend in that order. TBH I haven't got past Wealden yet. Fantastic bits.

 

[George_N]

If you will be getting through a lot of bits you should seriously think about replacable tip cutters like Wealden's Versofix and Easitip cutters. The outlay is higher to start with but, as I said, if you get through a lot you will soon recover the cost.

 

[Ironballs]

Freud and Trend in my experience have tips that hold a good edge for a long time, cheaper ones blunt more quickly

 

[BradNaylor]

Wealden every time.

Their cutters are just as good as Trend - in many cases being the same cutters made in the same factories but badged differently.

They're about half the price! The service is excellent, too.

Cheers
Brad

 

[jasonB]

Another vote for Wealden.

As george says get replacable tips for the common cutters such as 12.7x 50 and a 50mm twin bearing multitrim.

I would not just order a bunch of cutters, better to buy as you need them, with wealden they will usually deliver next day if you order by 3.00pm so a bit of forethought will save laying out a lump sum on cutters you may or maynot use.

Jason

 

[promhandicam]

Another vote for Wealden - good clear website and catalogue and excellent service - if you order by around 3pm it will be sent out 1st class post and so you should get it the next day. They also have a low threshold for free postage.

Steve

 

[motownmartin]

There is a difference in the quality or hardness of the material used but it hasn't stopped me from buying a cheapo set.

The cutters that are used the most will start to wear but as they do I will replace them with decent quality from Wealden, there will be some in the set that will hardly get used and may never want replacing, I don't see the point in paying a fortune for cutters that will only be used occasionally.

 

[Argee]

Another vote for Wealden (excellent and with English bearings too), then CMT (also excellent, but more expensive, generally, than Wealden). Trend, IMO, are both over-rated and over-priced for their quality.

The beauty of good quality cutters is that the whole experience is improved, as well as the finish.

Ray

 

[joiner_sim]

TREND!!! :lol:

I am in the trade also, and need a few more cutters, but I'm not willing to splash out anymore money on trend, so I will be trying Perform cutters from axminster. I am expecting to get what I pay for though! The trend cutters I own ( a set of 12 I picked up for £20 ) are brilliant and have taken some abuse!

 

[wizer]

so I will be trying Perform cutters

Seriously Simon, Why would you downgrade from Trend? Wealden is prety much unanimously recommended, even by Brad-The-Great.

Try one, you'll be surprised.

 

[JonnyD]

I have a boxed set of trend cutters that came with a T3 router I bought. The cutters in these sets are not of the same quality as the normal trend range although for budget cutters are pretty good. The perform cutters are a step up from these cutters. I have loads of trend cutters but virtually every new cutter I buy is now Wealden excellent service and price.

Jon

 

[pren]

Huh.

Just taken a quick look at the wealden site. I've always bought the B&Q router cutters as and when I've needed them. It seems that the wealdon prices (1/4", 2 flute) are pretty much the same as B&Q's.

If the quality of Wealdon's stock is as good as has been said, I think I'll shop there in future!

 

[fobos8]

excellent advice as normal!!

Had never heard of wealdon. Like the website, like the prices.... Gonna get an order together.

Thanks again, Andrew

 

[oddsocks]

well late in the day but count me in for wealdon as well. I have bought the 'no brand' sets, the axminster perform (good for the unuusal shapes), CMT and finally a wealdon box set- I never thought a cutter could be so obviously better, but each one I have used from that box has been excellent.

I know that if wealdon have it I will buy in the future before looking elsewhere.

.....But I did recently buy an axminster offer of perform kitchen straight bits, but at the price they are one per joint if / when I need them

Dave