First router bits

[Wend]

Hello,

I will shortly have my first router (likely a Trend T11 and a CRT/MK3), but with no experience of them I'm struggling to work out what a sensible set of bits would be. I wonder if anyone could give me any advice please?

I'll be using it for small boxes and the like. I'll want to be able to do dovetail joints and sliding dovetails, grooves for dado joints, rebates, and box joints. I expect to do everything on the table, rather than hand-held. I currently have no interest in decorative edging.

From old threads, Wealden seems to be the place to go, but unfortunately they appear to have stopped doing their starter sets, so I'm trying to work out what the best bits for starting out are.

T1018-1/2 looks like as good a choice as any for the dovetailing.

For grooves, https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Adjustable-Groover-1.html looks like it would make sense, as it gives some flexibility. Presumably it is the same as an arbor and handful of cutters from https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Standard_Range_63.html.

I guess for rebates T1716B-1/2 makes most sense.

I feel like something from https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Straight_2.html ought to be useful, but I'm not sure what for exactly, or which one.

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Finger_Jointer_60.html also looks interesting, but I should probably leave that until I have some experience with the router.

Does that sound sensible? Would other bits be better choices for a beginner?


Thanks!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Trend do 1/4" and 1/2" starter sets with 12 or 15 cutters. They are very commonly sold, just hunt for the best price - the small ones can go as low as £25, the large about £35. Then Wealden for cutters as the need arises.

 

[MikeJhn]

You can't beat the Leigh dovetail jig, even if you don't want to use a jig, have a look at their site, its a mine of information: https://www.leighjigs.com/superjigs.php its more expensive than others you can get, but its infinite adjustability and width of dovetails and box joints beats all other jigs.

Mike

 

[Simou1]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of the 'never buy Aldi/Lidl its carp stuff' brigade have a look at the 12 bit set on offer at Aldi for the princely sum of £9.99. Natty little box included!

They are made in China, like most of the budget router bits, and for £9.99 you will have an ideal opportunity to see which bits you really need and then purchase from established makers like Wealdon, Whiteside and Freud to name but a few.

I bought a set yesterday out of idle curiosity and they are surprisingly good. Granted 12 bits at that price will never perform and retain a sharp edge like the top boys but the selection of shapes and sizes is ideal as a starter set.

Add a 3 year warranty and no problem returns makes them a bargain.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Of course the expected use needs to be taken into account. I've posted this before - I bought a set of four for £4 ... because I needed one of them for a twelve inch bit of moulding. I bought a 1/2" core box from Wealden - it's first job out of the box was ninety six metres of full depth groove. Horses for courses.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listi ... dition=new £28.65 inc.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listi ... dition=new £25.90inc.

You may find them cheaper elsewhere. I've owned the 1/2" set for 20 years+ they're fine.

 

[Wend]

Thanks all for the advice!

It looks like the Aldi ones are 1/4", but I found the 15 Trend 1/2" set on eBay for just £20, so I've ordered a set of those and will see how I get on.


Thanks again

 

[Simou1]

Thanks all for the advice!

It looks like the Aldi ones are 1/4", but I found the 15 Trend 1/2" set on eBay for just £20, so I've ordered a set of those and will see how I get on.


Thanks again

Excellent, that is a cracking price for the 1/2" Trend cutters! Ordered a set as well.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I think I paid about £35 about 20 years ago.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREND-ROUTER- ... SwopRYZPiB