Cheap set of router bits!!!

[lastminute]

..anyone bought one of these router bit sets?... the ones that sell approx. 35 pieces for £35/£45
..works out about £1 per cutter?
..any good?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

What do you think? :?

 

[RogerP]

A couple of Christmases ago a kind relative (knowing woodworking is one of my hobbies) gave me one of these sets by Faithfull.
I put them away unopened for many months but one day, stuck for a particular profile, I tried one out. Frankly I was surprised, it was fine and cut many feet of board. I've since used one from the "collection" from time to time and they've all been okay and done the job. How long they'll last or stay sharp is another matter but when they're new they work.

 

[nathandavies]

It would look pretty having all those bits, but you'd probably only ever use 3 or 4 of them. buy good quality of what you need. or as roger has said above buy them and you'll have them for when you get stuck. I suppose if you just want to try stuff out you could get them but you would quite quickly be replacing them with better quality.

Nathan

 

[RogerP]

It would look pretty having all those bits, but you'd probably only ever use 3 or 4 of them. buy good quality of what you need. or as roger has said above buy them and you'll have them for when you get stuck. I suppose if you just want to try stuff out you could get them but you would quite quickly be replacing them with better quality.

Nathan

Yes, with "sets" of router cutters (from any maker) at best you'll probably only ever use a third of them. It's much better to buy as needed and from a good maker (I mainly use Wealden). Still, having a cheopo set as well can occasionally get you out of trouble.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

I have a slightly different take on this - I'd buy a cheap set, (in fact mine is a Trend set of about 12 1/4" bits which were a give away with a magazine subscription). As said above - when new they are perfectly serviceable and as they wear I replace them with 'quality' items. This gives me the best of both worlds - I have a basic starter range of bits for very little outlay which in use, guide me to purchase better quality bits dependant on frequency of use.

Regards Mick

 

[marcros]

Hi

I have a slightly different take on this - I'd buy a cheap set, (in fact mine is a Trend set of about 12 1/4" bits which were a give away with a magazine subscription). As said above - when new they are perfectly serviceable and as they wear I replace them with 'quality' items. This gives me the best of both worlds - I have a basic starter range of bits for very little outlay which in use, guide me to purchase better quality bits dependant on frequency of use.

Regards Mick

I do this too. The rutlands kits, when on offer are good value and not bad bits. I also workl out what is in the kit, what i will definitely use, and divide the price by that number. They may be 50 bits for £100 so a couple of quid each, but if they represent good value at £5 each for the ones that I will use, then the ones that I dont are free.

Any that wear out are replaced with something suitable- wealdon, etc.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I do the same with drill bits.

 

[lastminute]

...sounds like having a set of these wouldn't go amiss...replacing most used later for better quality.

Thanks all for your views.

 

[MMUK]

I'm still using most of the bits that came with the routers I've had over the years. Once worn out, I replace them with individual Freud or Trend bits. I've only had to replace about four so far.

 

[PeteG]

I bought the 1/4" starter set from Wealden, 12 cutters for £100, I've used three may be four so far. I bought a larger sized round over last month again from Wealden, £26.00!
I bought the Triton 1/2" router this week but don't have the money for another Wealdon set, so I've bought a set of 12 cutters from Wickes for about £13.00. No doubt I'll follow
others and replace these with decent ones as and when I need'em. The router came with one straight cutter which I'll have a play with tomorrow. Must admit, I was tempted
to buy the BIG set from Rutlands, 60 or so cutters for £150.00. Seems like a bargain, but I seriously need to pay some off my card at the moment! I used to think fishing was expensive