Router Door Bits Reviews

I received the Makita 3612CX1 from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I have cut a few half-blind dove tails with it on a PorterCable Omnijig. It feels well, cuts well and is loaded with nice features such as the soft start and electronic brake. These 2 features enhance the router's utility in combination with templates and machines such as the Omnijig.

The router is also fairly quiet and is lacking that high pitch scream that other routers have. This makes it a lot easier on the ears. This router is going to serve 100% above the table, while my other 2 routers are being dedicated to the router lifts.

I strongly recommend this router, especially if you are only going to have one general purpose router.

Pros:

1) Same as 3612C, but packaged differently for $40 less.
2) Low pitch noise and quieter than my 10-year old single speed Makita 3612 router.
3) Soft start which keeps it from jumping off of jigs.
4) Eletric brake shuts down faster so it can be removed from jigs quicker without taking a bite out of them. Makes multiple cuts faster.

Cons:

1) The coupon for the router bit set is an inconvenience. Amazon should ship the bitset with the router or supply it themselves. Have to find another vendor to order the bit set from.

You can like different routers for different reasons. I had two of the fixed speed version of this router. One got stolen, I replaced it with the variable speed version and I love it for these reasons:
1. It is very quiet even at highest speed for a 3-1/4HP router. In fact it is much quieter than the fixed speed version of the same router at the same speed.
2. It is relatively small and light for its power. It is not a light router, you will have to use with two hands always. But I can do delicate edge treatments with small bits with no issues. It is powerful enough to mount under the table when you need to. That's why I think this is a very versatile router.
3. Plunge action is very smooth and capacity is good. 3 step debt gauge works fine although I use it rarely since the router is powerful enough to do most cuts in one pass.
4. Fit and finish is great. You can tell it is a well-made tool when you hold it. Power cord is long and soft - does not stay coiled when you are using it.
5. You can lock it down using the height adjustment mechanism - not the plunge lever- and it acts like a fixed based router. Therefore you do not have to change bases from fixed to plunge. You always have both at your fingertips. That's why prefer this over the multiple base combo kits.. another reason why I call this a very versatile router.
6. Also the 3-piece door bit set came with the router, not a coupon. The bits are very high quality. Thick carbide tips, nice bearings. Nice wooden box.


Here are some negatives you should consider- but these are not enough for me to give it a lower rating:
1. The plunge lock lever is metal and you have to push it down with the side of your index OR middle finger. With lengthy use, this may hurt your finger. I screwed a small bent extension to mine so that I push it down with tips of my two fingers and it works wonderfully.
2. It does not have a case.

If I lose one of my routers, I would buy a another one of these without a question.

The router is great and works great just like ones i've had before. There was a great sale on it when i got it. I was a bit dissapointed to found out that the router bits that are supposed to come with it, and there was just a coupon for them. You must have to try and get them from a local dealer or somewere else ? rather inconvienent .....

Whether you are making one or twenty cabinet doors, these bits from Freud will give you the results you are looking for. Red and white oak is no match for the sharpness of these bits. My one and a half horsepower shaper is enough power to turn the raised panel bit through oak with minimal drag. More power is better but less will do. The design of the bits prevents you from taking too much bite causing kickback and dangerous flying objects. The included instruction booklet provides step-by-step detailed instructions on constructing raised panel doors. I found this very helpful. The finished edges require no sanding and the fit, if time is taken for proper set up, is unmatched by competitors sets. I am currently replacing my entire bit collection with Freud products. Two words "they work".

This cabinet door set does an outstanding job of producing a smooth finish surface. Setups are easily accomplished and the finished styles and rails match perfectly. The panel bit produces a profile that requires no finish sanding.

I was a little leary about this order only due to the low, low price for this particular set of router bits. Don't let that stop you, in fact, if available, I plan to order another set to have on hand when this set has to be sent in for sharpening. These are good quality bits at an incredibly low price, I will definately be looking for other items this seller has to offer.

I purchased this set and they cut perfectly. Every router bit I own is made by freud. There bits cut very smoothly and they are well built. This set includes 5 bits, a matched set of rail and style bits, a glue joint bit, a raised panel bit (99-512 instead of the one that reguraly comes with the set)Bits cut so smooth that you hardly have to sand. have used other name brand bits and the freud outperform the others 10 to 1. Great bits and very well made.

Made panel doors from red oak and the rail and stile and panel raiser bits turned out a professional product with no splitting, which is common in red oak. I run a 3.5 hp variable speed router mounted in a table.

I set out to construct an aquarium stand to match my other walnut furniture. To accomplish the task, I needed to build paneled doors. This set more than met my expectations. The doors turned out beautiful! I have always had great results from Freud bits. It certainly does help if you have prior knowledge of door panel construction before using this set. I relied a bit on past experience due to somewhat poor instructions that came with the set. Price wise, the set seemed the way to go to me, because you get more hardware for your money.

Every router bit I own is made by freud. All of their bits cut very smoothly. In fact they cut so smooth you don't even have to sand. This bit gives a very nice edge to you're raised panel doors. It is weel worth the money.

I ran some pine and some red oak through the bits just to see how they cut with different wood. The edge was as smooth as a babies bottom and feed rates were reasonable. Even when I slowed to a painful crawl, I had no problem with wood burning. They were a great deal (they came with a 3 1/4 hp router). Very happy with them

I purchased this set for my husband to produce my cabinet doors for my new kitchen. The price was great and he was so happy with how they worked that he is going to make new cabinet doors for my bathrooms now. A great product - Super friendly staff - an Unbelievably low price - and my husband loves it! I will always buy Woodline

I have had limited use so far, made two small doors, and amazed at the quality of the cuts. No sanding needed. I am disappointed with the video, you need an Apple download to play, which would take 4 hours on my dial up connection.

I recently purchased this set for some doors that I was doing for a china cabinet. I used birch as the primary lumber and I was amazed at the results. The doors came out perfect and I was very surprised at the alignment. They were much easier to set up than expected. Although these might seem a little expensive, they are worth every penny.

Have owned this bit set for two years created raised panel wainscoting when we built our house (about 56 lineal feet of stacked panels totalling 8' high. The panel system was made from MDF which usually does a real number on bits. Pulled it out a few days ago to make some raised panel doors for another project in solid cherry with excellent results. Once word of caution, if you do not have a variable speed router don't even think about buying this or any other panel raising set, unless you wish to cause yourself bodily harm or damage your router. I used a Bosch 1617EVS at the 2nd from lowest speed for the Cherry and the lowest speed for MDF and made two or three passes with the largest bit.