Router Bits Reviews

I bought this set, but in the 1/2" shank instead. First off, if your router handles 1/2" shanks always buy 1/2" bits. 1/4" bits are way more unstable than 1/2" shanks. Also the 1/4" bits tend to flex and bow more when material is pushed into them.

Now on to the bits. I originally got the 1/2" shank set exactly like this and it was returned within a few days of me receiving it. The bits did not cut very well and there was a lot of tear out. I have since bought a 35 peice 1/2" shank set from Holbren for $59 and free shipping. The Holbren bits are leaps and bounds better than these bits. Plus they come in a wood box vs this cheap plastic case. Plus if you have any problems the customer support is awesome!

So for $10 more you get 11 more bits and a lot better quality. Amazon won't let me put a web address in, but if you type 3w's dot Holbren dot com into your browser you'll get there.

The only reason this gets 3 stars instead of 1 is because of Amazon's great customer support in refunding my purchase price when i returned the item.

I tried the Holbren set suggested by another user and was disappointed. The price is over $79 now, more than twice as much as this set, and I sent them back. Hickory is a much better buy and half inch shank is recomended. The other set is a rip off.

I bought this product b/c i have started using my routor alot and wanted a good starter set. after using it to complete a few products i can say i really like the set. I also own alot of Frued and Grizzly bits for finish work & to replace items in this set as time goes on but i couldn't afford paying for a Frued set up front. The reason i give it 4 stars is that since the time i got it only one of the clips that hold the kit shut work and now after a month the second one is going... it is odd b/c i have other hickory sets and those cases seem alot more stable even after 2 years.

OK, I used it once. But that first and only time I discovered the centerline of the tool (motor/collet/bit) was not square with the base. This makes any router nearly useless except for the roughest of work. And so it sits on the shelf while I use my three Porter Cable routers on a daily basis.

Very reliable. Has the feel of being almost too well made for mere at home projects. Very easy to change bits. Easy to hold with one hand. Smooth, balanced motor feel. Good value and would only replace with the newer Makita VS d-handle model. Would rate superior to my Porter Cable D-handle (that I donated to a volunteer house rehab group) and miles ahead of my old Craftsman that I passed on to my daughter and her cowboy woodworker.

I am a woodworking professional, and have owned/used one of these for 10/12 years. This model Makita follows numerous smaller (1-2 hp)handheld routers that I have owned over the years, and is the finest of the lot, hands down. It is unsurpassed for quick, 'down and dirty',
one handed on the job routing tasks, smooth enough for all day shop use, and has the overall build quality to last for years. When mine finally dies,
I will give it proper last rites ,and run right out and buy another.

I purchased this item becuase it the description says that it fits "many other popular routers." That may be true, however it doesn't fit Ryobi routers. The mounting rods of this router guide are approximately 2 1/4 inches on center, and about 1/4" in diameter. If you don't have a Milwaukee router that's listed as compatible, you may want to check the spacing and size out before buying.

I am sure that I would have given it 5 stars had it actually fit my router :)

I love my Milwaukee router, so when looking for an edge guide, I went with the same brand.

The edge guide was easy to install, and once the distance was set it worked as well as you'd expect an edge guide to work.

However, I found the Fine Adjustment setting to be impossible to use. It is held in place by the same screw that clamps it securely to the rails. Loosening the screw in order to adjust the distance caused the guide to slip from the rails, which made it impossible to adjust smoothly and accurately. Knowing what I know now, I'd look for a different edge guide.

I used the guide, attached to a jig, for making flutes in the pilasters of a large book case. It worked superbly, by far easier to adjust than the edge guide for Craftsman routers. The only drawback is the limited documentation, including the lack of instructions for attaching the guide to the router base. That was an annoying first time out of the box problem but it is quickly solved.

OK, it works and works well, other than the sloppy stops the Omnijig employees.

But this price for a 14" piece of machined aluminum? What does it cost Porter Cable to make this accessory? $2?

PC does have to cover the development costs and should charge a premium for a jig that is somewhat of a standard in woodworking. Check out the price of the Omnijig. Trust me, you've already paid for this accomplishment when you purchased the original jig. And the design of this jig hasn't changed in years and years. PC is way behind the times.

I'm thinking (hoping) that there is a special place in hell for those individuals in companies, like Porter Cable, who decide to rape their customers, who have already paid a hefty tab for the jig, when they want to purchase an accessory for that jig.

And the 24" jigs cost around $67?

Shame on Porter Cable. If had it to do over again, I wouldn't buy a PC dovetail jig.

As a weekend warrior in the woodshop , i use and abuse tools. This tool withstood the daily rigors and made me many a box.

After obtaining and being pleased with the 1/2" dovetail template, I deceided to purchase the 1/4". Just as the 1/2", it works well also. Great for the small peices. Constructed a "Cajun Craps Box" and used it. Easy to use and does a good job.

Got the product today. Parts are loose inside the box. Some shining metal parts has no plastic bag to protect. One handle got damaged. Scratches and scratches.... Is this used or refurbished?

Don't even mention the user manual.

Don't even mention the service email. They blocked you because they want to block spam. What a hell.

I will return it to the store right away. Worse than the chinese tools in harbor freight.

Best Value on the Market, I checked other reviews and saw only one weird one. Didnt make sense. I found a review on this item in one of the wood workers mags last year. They rated it top notch and a best buy for all the features. I have purchased it in conjunction with the router talble and the bits set. All I can say is wow! its the little engine that could. I got Plunge capability, plunge tower, twin guide feature, circle cutter, dust shield, rpm adjustment 1yr warranty and extra set of brushes. I recomned the kit becuase of the great value, the table is a dream to work with.

I was a skeptic, but hush my mouth! I had seen this rotuer in another catalog and thought I would try it. Amazons price was much less so my wife bought me one as a gift. It has a plunge feature, Plenty of adjustable power, even got lots of accessories that the other routers charge extra for. I made new trim for all my doors and windows at the cabin outof birch. And it worked flawlessly. My next purchase is thier Dovetail machine.

The unit is a nice addition. For some reason, while the RA 1161 base that come with the router comes with a hex key to allow depth adjustment from the top if the router is installed in a table, the RA 1164 which is dedicated to a router table has no provision for depth adjustment from the top of the table. It looks like the new base design does accomodate this feature.

What can I say, if you have the right Bosch router this is a must have no matter what brand table you use. It works very nicely and saves alot of time if you only have one router. If you have funds enough to buy a second router than you don't need this.

It's great to not have to remove the baseplate from the router to install it on the table, just flip the clamp and slide out the router motor head!

This bit has a lot of potential, but lacks instructions which makes it very difficult to set up. For as much money as one has to shell out for bits like this, you would think the manufacturer would include something - anything - even a hint, as to how to set it up (without burning through test piece after test piece - everytime you need to work with a different thickness of wood. Come on Freud, you can do better.

I have about 3 dozen router bits, and I do a lot of routing and shaping. Set up for this bit is a mystery, though. The equivalent Aman bit has very clear setup instructions that make the process much more intuitive. The Freud bit comes without even a simple diagram.

If someone has a web link to a page featuring setup instructions, i'd gladly update my review. However, Freud really ought to print something more useful on the back of the package than "Danger: Bit is sharp!"

You will need some amount of patience, precutting miters and a few test passes, kind of tricky, but once you get it, it is GOOOOOD. Does a very nice job and cuts very easy.

I have 5 doors to install. I did one and this template and bit are not going to make it all the way.
1) Flimsy tabs on the insert pieces. It's just a matter of time before they break.
2) The insert pieces don't sit flush in the template. They stick up 1/8". It makes your router base ride against the two inserts that stick up. At the two edges of the cut your 6" router base will "fall" off the insert pieces and cause a gouge in the wood. You need to buy a larger router base so this doesn't happen.
3) Poor instructions
4) Bit wears out quickly

I don't expect this type of product from Porter Cable. I am going to return it.

I found that a small, low-horsepower router or laminate trimmer works best with this plastic template. You have to be very, very deliberate in setting it up and you have to pay close attention to your router's cutting depth so as not to set the hinge too shallow or too deep but once you get it set up correctly, it works surprisingly well. Practice, practice, practice and if you only use it occasionally as I do, write concise notes and document your settings for future reference.

The instructions that come with it are awful and useless for the most part so try it out several times on the edges of a few scrap 2x4's. The setup for the door edge and for the jamb are completely different and it's easy to get confused and make a bad (expensive) cut.

Remember that it's just plastic and that you'd be wise to start the router up with the bit clear and untouched, inside the template and away from the door edge. Work slowly and keep the router base sitting flush on the template for even results.

The router bit alone makes this tool an excellent value.

I use this jig for door projects from time to time. It's easy to use but takes a little figuring out as the instructions aren't great.

The included bit is good for a couple doors. Get the carbide bit if you plan on doing several doors.

I have done a half dozen exterior doors and about two dozen interior doors. Worked well for all. Have not had a single hinge not line up.

Can't really complain for it's price. Sure beats freehanding it with a router or chiseling it out. It could use a little redesigning though.

It is the height of arrogance (and stupidity) to make router bits without showing their size on them! All you get is a 5-digit part number and a big Freud logo! How do I tell if this is 9- or 7-degree dovtail bit! If this wasn't a Christmas gift, it would be going right back. And then I tried one of their bits and it was undersized. Don't go for the name try somebody else.

I have many Freud bits and saw blades. I have always been very happy with their products. Recently I added an Incra LS17 super system to my shop. Because of my past experience with Freud products, I purchased the Freud 8 piece set for Incra Jig. Much to my surprise both straight cut bits in the set were undersized, and produced unacceptable box joints using Incra scales. I returned the set and replaced them with CMT which work well.

Freud = Quality. I always buy Freud products. Top quality.

1) Once installed on my 690, it caused EXCESS vibration. 2) The collar to adapt to 1/4" bits is not easy to use. It falls into the shaft hole too easily.

Great idea but not for me.

Installation was easy for a do-it-yourselfer. Performance has been excellent; vibration-free, solid grip on 1/4" bits. My only gripes: It takes a lot of hand strength to lock and unlock the bits, and like the other reviewers, I've found it hard to keep the adapter collet from bottoming out, making it a little finicky and slow at times. I lost the adapter and had to contact Jacobs/Danaher Corp. directly to re-order (800-866-5753). Not a big deal. All in all, a welcome addition to my PC router, a definite improvement over wrenching.

I am new at woodworking and just got my first router. I had heard so many horror stories about changing bits that I was putting off using the router at all. I decided to try the PowerCollet, thinking it couldn't be worse than using the wrenches. I was so happily surprised. It was easy to install, even though I would have preferred a little more detail. The 1/4" reducer was actually easy to insert and I had no trouble with it getting stuck. I was able to swap bits out in a matter of seconds and they were firm and steady. I didn't feel any vibraton to speak of. Granted, it adds about 1-1/2" to the shaft but it comes with spacers to make it easier to get at things on a fixed base. I used it with my plunge router with no adjustments. I really love this thing. It is going to make it much easier to use my router as an integral part of my shop.