Comments on: Router Bits and Table For a New Shop? – Question of the Week http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/ Education and entertainment for the modern woodworker. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:19:02 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: thewoodwhisperer http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-43939 thewoodwhisperer Sat, 30 May 2009 16:24:28 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-43939 HSS is very common in cutters and bits. Its going to wear better and last long than regular carbon steel. Basically it cuts better and doesn't lose temper under high stress applications. But in the world of router bits, you can do one step better, and that would be a carbide bit. The carbide will last significantly longer and hold an edge longer than the HSS. HSS is very common in cutters and bits. Its going to wear better and last long than regular carbon steel. Basically it cuts better and doesn’t lose temper under high stress applications. But in the world of router bits, you can do one step better, and that would be a carbide bit. The carbide will last significantly longer and hold an edge longer than the HSS.

]]> By: JHop http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-43935 JHop Sat, 30 May 2009 08:09:12 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-43935 I was just at the BigBox DIY store this afternoon, and I perused the (limited) router "accessory" isle. (I only deal with one BigBox, due to grievous customer service issues, that I will not go into here.) There were three bench top router stations for sale. Prices ranged from $100 to $250. Rockler recently listed an add for a table top station (don't remember if it was a kit or plans), for somewhere in between. Meanwhile, you can make a simple table out of 2x4 and melamine for about $50. My question: What's the benefit of High Speed Steel compared to, say, regular carbon? (local "discount tool" store has a kit of 5 router bits listed as HSS. Being a fan of the "spend little bucks to find out if you need/like the work, and spend for quality to replace it when the cheap stuff breaks," I don't want to buy a $14,000 paperweight.) I was just at the BigBox DIY store this afternoon, and I perused the (limited) router “accessory” isle. (I only deal with one BigBox, due to grievous customer service issues, that I will not go into here.)

There were three bench top router stations for sale. Prices ranged from $100 to $250. Rockler recently listed an add for a table top station (don’t remember if it was a kit or plans), for somewhere in between. Meanwhile, you can make a simple table out of 2×4 and melamine for about $50.

My question: What’s the benefit of High Speed Steel compared to, say, regular carbon? (local “discount tool” store has a kit of 5 router bits listed as HSS. Being a fan of the “spend little bucks to find out if you need/like the work, and spend for quality to replace it when the cheap stuff breaks,” I don’t want to buy a $14,000 paperweight.)

]]> By: Fred C http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25477 Fred C Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:22:22 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25477 Look at the newer 4 wing cutters, (Freud is one supplier) they really make a nice smooth cut and I would think they will stay sharper - longer. I have 3 or 4 of them and they are worth the extra money. Look at the newer 4 wing cutters, (Freud is one supplier) they really make a nice smooth cut and I would think they will stay sharper – longer. I have 3 or 4 of them and they are worth the extra money.

]]> By: Bob S in CA http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25395 Bob S in CA Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:10:05 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25395 I agree with Richard in that building a router table is good practice for things to come. I too built Norm's Router Table (the original one, not the deluxe one that came along later on). The case wasn't square and the fit and finish weren't great, but they didn't need to be. The idea was to practice on something practical and gain some skill, along with a useful result. Objective accomplished! I couldn't find 1" thick melamine for the top so ended up making my own with MDF and high pressure laminate, another learning experience. There are lots of plans in the magazines for router tables too. And definitely go with as many 1/2" bits as possible, not 1/4". I agree with Richard in that building a router table is good practice for things to come. I too built Norm’s Router Table (the original one, not the deluxe one that came along later on). The case wasn’t square and the fit and finish weren’t great, but they didn’t need to be. The idea was to practice on something practical and gain some skill, along with a useful result. Objective accomplished! I couldn’t find 1″ thick melamine for the top so ended up making my own with MDF and high pressure laminate, another learning experience.

There are lots of plans in the magazines for router tables too. And definitely go with as many 1/2″ bits as possible, not 1/4″.

]]> By: thewoodwhisperer http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25393 thewoodwhisperer Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:33:04 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25393 I definitely should have been more focused on the 1/2" shank issue. Nearly all of my bits are 1/2", and the only reason I buy 1/4" is if they don't come in the 1/2" variety. Thanks for driving the point home fellas. I definitely should have been more focused on the 1/2″ shank issue. Nearly all of my bits are 1/2″, and the only reason I buy 1/4″ is if they don’t come in the 1/2″ variety. Thanks for driving the point home fellas.

]]> By: Brian http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25391 Brian Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:24:29 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25391 I agree with what has been said about router bits. Get a cheap set first then replace that with higher quality bits as you need them. As for a router table, I know you are eager to get started but shop furniture is a great learning tool. I highly recommend you start with building some of your own shop furniture. A small router table would be a good start. You have all the tools you would need to build one. Like Roger said, this month's Shop notes has a pretty nifty table you could build over a weekend and I'm sure it would cost less than a commercial one. I built a wing onto my table saw for my router table. It has worked fine but I want a little more room. Last week I picked up a free kitchen base cabinet that I will turn into a table. If you want to go that route, find your nearest Habitat ReStore and pick up one for cheap. I agree with what has been said about router bits. Get a cheap set first then replace that with higher quality bits as you need them.

As for a router table, I know you are eager to get started but shop furniture is a great learning tool. I highly recommend you start with building some of your own shop furniture. A small router table would be a good start. You have all the tools you would need to build one. Like Roger said, this month’s Shop notes has a pretty nifty table you could build over a weekend and I’m sure it would cost less than a commercial one. I built a wing onto my table saw for my router table. It has worked fine but I want a little more room. Last week I picked up a free kitchen base cabinet that I will turn into a table. If you want to go that route, find your nearest Habitat ReStore and pick up one for cheap.

]]> By: Frank http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25390 Frank Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:20:59 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25390 I’m not a big fan of the MLCS set. My main problem with that set is the ¼ inch shanks. I also think there are too many bits especially for a beginner. I’m guessing that you have a Bosch 1617 router. I know the router well, I have three of them. Anyway, since you can handle ½” shank bits, they should always be your first choice. I would highly recommend reading, “Ten Essential Router Bits” by Gary Rogowski. You can find the article on Fine Woodworking.com: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/index.aspx If you are planning to start today, get yourself a ½” straight bit. I have around 200 bits, but the ½” straight bits get used more than any other. I’m not a big fan of the MLCS set. My main problem with that set is the ¼ inch shanks. I also think there are too many bits especially for a beginner.

I’m guessing that you have a Bosch 1617 router. I know the router well, I have three of them. Anyway, since you can handle ½” shank bits, they should always be your first choice.

I would highly recommend reading, “Ten Essential Router Bits” by Gary Rogowski. You can find the article on Fine Woodworking.com: http://www.taunton.com/finewoo.....index.aspx

If you are planning to start today, get yourself a ½” straight bit. I have around 200 bits, but the ½” straight bits get used more than any other.

]]> By: Roger Fitzsimonds http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25386 Roger Fitzsimonds Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:36:28 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25386 Craig, I also have setting on spiral cut bits in different sizes, flush cut bits and roundover bits. these seem to get me what I want most of the time. On the router table, ShopNotes magazine this month has detailed plas for a nice looking router table made mostly from MDF. you might check it out. It looks like you can mahe a very nice router table for about what buying one would cost. Craig,

I also have setting on spiral cut bits in different sizes, flush cut bits and roundover bits. these seem to get me what I want most of the time. On the router table, ShopNotes magazine this month has detailed plas for a nice looking router table made mostly from MDF. you might check it out. It looks like you can mahe a very nice router table for about what buying one would cost.

]]> By: Martin Richter http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25385 Martin Richter Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:33:41 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25385 First I would go with the Rockler table top, it is effective and easy to use. Then go buy a sheet of 3/4' ply and make a cabinet yourself. It is a good starter project with drawers and doors. I have gone to 1/2" shank bits. They are safer and last longer. Look at Summerfieldstools.com they have a good selection of bits and other jigs. I have seen Marc Sommerfield at shows and have always been impressed at how efficient his system is. But alas it is expensive. First I would go with the Rockler table top, it is effective and easy to use. Then go buy a sheet of 3/4′ ply and make a cabinet yourself. It is a good starter project with drawers and doors.

I have gone to 1/2″ shank bits. They are safer and last longer.

Look at Summerfieldstools.com they have a good selection of bits and other jigs. I have seen Marc Sommerfield at shows and have always been impressed at how efficient his system is. But alas it is expensive.

]]> By: LordLQQK http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-bits-and-table-for-a-new-shop-question-of-the-week/#comment-25384 LordLQQK Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:14:51 +0000 http://thewoodwhisperer.com/?p=847#comment-25384 Craig, good to see you starting up. The regular chat guys and I welcome you to spend an hour or 7 of them in the chat room if you have the time to ditch work. If you are tight on space, and it sounds like you are, you might want to consider the cast iron router wing table from www.ptreeusa.com (http://www.ptreeusa.com/tablesaw_products.htm#1066). The cast iron almost eliminates vibration and you can mount storage under the wing to store bits. LQQK Craig, good to see you starting up. The regular chat guys and I welcome you to spend an hour or 7 of them in the chat room if you have the time to ditch work.
If you are tight on space, and it sounds like you are, you might want to consider the cast iron router wing table from http://www.ptreeusa.com (http://www.ptreeusa.com/tables......htm#1066). The cast iron almost eliminates vibration and you can mount storage under the wing to store bits.

LQQK

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