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  1. #1
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    Router Experts - Bits: Christmas present advice

    OK...so, some of you might recall my 3-year continuing efforts to "help" a friend set up a basic-level shop in his garage.

    I get help from his lovely wife, in that I get to create and prioritize her list of stuff for his Christmas presents. Which means, of course, stuff I want to be there the next time I visit, so I can "help" with the next project and have stuff there that I want to use, without dragging my stuff along on the airplane, and without using my entire vocabulary of cusswords.

    She assures me that this year Santa is getting him a PC 690 with std and plunge bases, and edge guide, to replace his worn-out 1/4"-only-collet Craftsman. It did him good for a few decades, but it is shot to heck, I refuse to use it anymore, and his collection of bits are are of the same age, unless I bought them with his money in the past few years. One of which is a CMT rabbet set - and I just bought him a new bit to go with the bearing set. Plywood glue chews up those bits like a starving goat in a field of Georgia kudzu.

    The predominant format for him is plywood bookcases, shelves, etc. He has no stationary tools - including no router table - so those projects are right in his wheelhouse. Some with hardwood trim, which he can get from a nice store that has the capability to machine it to "his" specs.

    I am no router expert, and I have built up my bit collection pretty much one-at-a-time-as-I-need-it. I am thinking that there is likely a more structured approach, and for my contribution this year, I was thinking I would ask Santa to bring him something along the following lines:

    1/4", 3/8", 1/2" down-spiral bits for dados to receive shelves.
    A slot-cutter set, with 1/8", 1/4", 3/16" blades and a range of bearings [like the one from Amana that I have built by piece ]
    Roundover bits 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" [he has a 5/16" from one of "his" previous projects].

    Whatcha think? This is a low-tech-learn-as-you-go operation, not some stile-and-rail cabinet door thing.

    Thanks for letting me use your thoughts..........

    Singed:
    Santa-du-jour
    When I started woodworking, I didn't know squat. I have progressed in 30 years - now I do know squat.

  2. #2
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    I would start with bits from this set, it really is a well thought out starter set, which overlaps several of the ones you mention.

    http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Ten-.../dp/B0012JI4UQ
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  3. #3
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    Van - that is a good set. Something I shoulda had. Very nice. I buy that brand frequently.

    Stuff in there he won't need anytime soon, but you did put me onto some things that are important that Santa needs to consider - like a chamfer and a top-bearing flush trim.
    When I started woodworking, I didn't know squat. I have progressed in 30 years - now I do know squat.

  4. #4
    When I think about the bits I use the most these are them, all 1/2 shafts.

    1/4" round-over
    1/2" round-over
    1/2" shear bit with a bearing on top and bottom, can be used for a lot of things.
    1/4" spiral for box joints
    1/2" straight bit for dados and the like.

  5. #5
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    Since you mentioned a slot cutter set, I'll recommend the Amana Timberline slot cuter set. About $75, good quality, and versatile. It actually comes with 3 1/4" cutters (among other widths and bearings) and two arbors, so you can actually set up a simple tongue and groove rail/stile pair with it.

    One of my most used router bits is a 3/4" dia Whiteside double-bearing (top and bottom) flush trim.

    A 3pc plywood dado set would save him a lot of trouble.

  6. #6
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    If his shelves are sheet goods, then standard size bits for dados will have a loose fit. Either get a small bit and cut the dado with repeated passes (using the edge guide it looks like he is getting) or get the undersized bits for sheet goods dados.

    James

  7. #7
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    Van beat me to it and that Whiteside set is a good base set. Thinking back over the last several months I would have been sorely inconvenienced if not for a:

    - 3/8" spiral [small enough to cut most dados in multiple passes]
    - 1/8" roundover [many folks prefer larger]
    - chamfer [for everything from shop cabinets to drawer fronts]
    - Rabbet set [for . . . well . . . rabbets]

    HTH
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  8. #8
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    You will never stop supplying your fiend (OOPS!). Just send me all you decide.
    Individual bits are the best buy. Congrats on your helping.
    Bill
    On the other hand, I still have five fingers.

  9. #9
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    Not really for sheet goods but if his hardwood edges are thick enough he may could use a ogee bit or two. That 690 is a good workhorse of a router IMO. I have 4 of them. 1 in a table. 1 in the extention wig of my saw and 1 set up for the dovetail jig. The other 1 is used for handheld stuff. Think about telling Santa to get him the D handle base for it. Makes a good router even better

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by James Baker SD View Post
    If his shelves are sheet goods, then standard size bits for dados will have a loose fit.
    Yeah - I hear what you're saying. However, since I am "helping", I go with my standard scheme - for 3/4" ply, I'll put in 3/8" or maybe 1/2" stopped dados, and then use a rabbet bit on both sides of the shelf to sneak up on the correct fit. I don't have a lot of confidence in the tolerances on plywood anymore. Also, with an actual tenon on the shelf, it's pretty easy to avoid any glue squeeze-out. More work, but I like the results. Probably not necessary, but there you are...........

    Habits borne from working in my own shop - where I'm doing the work with solid wood.
    When I started woodworking, I didn't know squat. I have progressed in 30 years - now I do know squat.

  11. #11
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    Kent
    If your friend needs bits for dados you should consider plywood bits from Lee Valley. They are sized 1/64 " smaller to make up for undersized plywood.
    The bits are of good quality and I think the price is not bad. A lot of my bits are from LV and I have no complaints.

    http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/pag...168,46171&ap=1

    gil

  12. #12
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    I don't have the undersized bits myself, I do the multiple passes with a smaller bit technique. But I like Kent's idea of rabbeting the shelf for the final fit. Think I will change my approach.

    James

  13. #13
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    Well - give it a try anyway. I like it because I can get the Goldilocks fit on the tenons - not too loose, not too tight. Downside is more router passes, of course.
    When I started woodworking, I didn't know squat. I have progressed in 30 years - now I do know squat.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kent A Bathurst View Post
    . However, since I am "helping", I go with my standard scheme - for 3/4" ply, I'll put in 3/8" or maybe 1/2" stopped dados, and then use a rabbet bit on both sides of the shelf to sneak up on the correct fit.
    Be a REAL help, buy him a Sawstop ICS and a Forrest Dado King, what's $4,000 among friends...
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  15. #15
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    Van - that's where the Winchester PM66 was heading.........his money, not mine. I mean, he's been my best friend for over 35 years, but sheeesh..........
    When I started woodworking, I didn't know squat. I have progressed in 30 years - now I do know squat.

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