Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, you know that working in the woodcraft industry doesn’t only require you to have impressive skills to be able to come up with a successful output; you need to find the best wood router that matches your line of work. Still, it doesn’t stop there because even the best routers fail to work seamlessly because of its separate attachments. We’re talking about the router bits that are the vital parts of making your machine work and cut.
There are several kinds of router bits, which is partly why so many manufacturers release different models for each. If you’re new to woodworking, it’s probably hard for you to browse who makes the best router bits. In this article, we will talk about a set of best router bits for the money from different brands. Read on to learn more!
Factors to Consider When Buying Router Bits
As mentioned, there are hundreds of options that you may encounter as you search for the router bits for your cutting machine. It may seem confusing to you, so we came up with a short guide to help you choose your bits. The details below should help you out!
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Bit Type
As we’ve mentioned, there are more than five types of router bits, and each one plays a different cutting role in a project. Certain kinds can only do a specific design on your medium. The most common bit is the straight router bit, which is perfect for creating straight cuts and hollows on your project. If you have more complicated output requirements, you have the other types, such as flush-trim router bits, chamfer bits, edge-forming bits, and rabbeting bits. Assess which type you need the most, and go from there.
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Bit Sizes
Wood routers come with collets of different diameter: ¼” and ½”. These collet sizes refer to the bit sizes you can equip in your machine. You need to check whether your router has both diameters available or not because some only have a ¼” collet size. Generally, it’s recommended that you use ½” because of its durability, compared to the latter bit with ¼” shank diameter.
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Material
Router bits typically have carbide tips or high-speed steel cutting tip. Carbide-tipped bits are stiffer to use than the other kind and are more preferred by users over high-speed steel cutting tip bits.
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Quality
Of course, you have to observe and count quality as a criterion. Router bits with a fine edge are less likely to be damaged even with frequent use. The material for the bit construction is also a factor for this aspect, so make sure to pay attention to the factor above.
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Price
You should be aware of the price range of the bit options you’re opting for in this category. Like wood routers, each type has its own price, depending on the features it offers. Again, it’s best if you assess the applications that most of your projects require.
Product Reviews
In this section, we’re going to recommend five router bits from different providers. This way, you’ll be able to distinguish which best router bits brand fits your workshop.
The first router bit item we have in our picks is this set of multi-purpose router bits from Bosch. The package includes six bits for different design applications, such as straight cutting, decorative edging, dovetail joinery, and trimming. The overall design of each router bit is controlled and balanced, which means it’s less likely that you’ll encounter kickbacks as you work. The RBS006 has premium micro-grain Carbide tips, which allow the bits to withstand usage wear and have sharper edges. Lastly, the set comes with reusable and wood-based storage, so that you can avoid losing the router bits.
The next item we have is a router bit set from Freud. The package includes 13 “Super” router bits that have ½-inch shanks; this means that you can use the kit for cutting through a wide range of materials, including softwood, plywood, and hardwood. Considering the large number of bits that come in this Freud 91-100, you’ll be able to cater to projects that require flush trimming, chamfering, dovetailing, trimming, and much more. The case that comes with the kit has small sockets that are specifically for each router bit to fit, which is neat for carrying the bits from one workplace to another.
If you’re looking for a router bit set that can cater to different project design styles at once, you might want to consider the Yonico 17502. The kit contains 50 pieces of router bits, which allows you to work on various cutting methods. The bits also come in ½-inch shanks, so you can use these to cut on several types of materials like hardwood and softwood. Each Yonico router bit is made of premium C3 micro-grain tungsten carbide to ensure the bit’s sharpness and durability. The package is wrapped up by a wooden storage that’s great for tool keeping.
Like the previous item, this MLCS router bit set comes with 15 pieces of bits, which you can utilize for various projects. If you’re a beginner and want to expand your crafting and cutting skills, we recommend that you opt for this. The bits also have ½-inch shanks so that you can apply it to several materials. The set is composed of bits that have carbide tips for maximum durability and sharpness. The bits are enclosed in a wooden box for protection and prevention against loss.
Our last item comes from Whiteside. The set consists of 7 router bits, which come with premium carbide tips. Each one is precision-ground to provide you with smooth cutting operations. The bits also have ½-inch shanks to let you work on different wood materials with ease. Lastly, you can easily carry the set around because it’s encased on a plastic container with foam and bit slots to keep each one in place.
Conclusion
Today, there are vast numbers of wood router and bits providers, all of which promise to give you the best cutting experience. In this article, we’re able to recommend you top-selling bits from popular brands. Hopefully, this read serves as a guide for you, especially if you’re new to the hobby.