Router bits - Freud vs. Whiteside

[Tyler Bancroft]

I have mostly Freud router bits, but am thinking of trying out a couple of Whitesides next time I buy. Anyone have a strong preference for one over the other? The major difference I see is that Freud uses a PTFE coating, but Whiteside doesn't coat their bits.

[Justin Rapp]

I have mostly Freud router bits, but am thinking of trying out a couple of Whitesides next time I buy. Anyone have a strong preference for one over the other? The major difference I see is that Freud uses a PTFE coating, but Whiteside doesn't coat their bits.

I have both, along with a bunch of others. Whiteside wins every time. Not that Freud is a bad bit, I just think feel whiteside stays sharper longer. I also tend to get less burn, but maybe it's just coincidence.

[Edward Weber]

They are both high-end bits, I can't say I've noticed a terrible amount of difference between the two.

[Lloyd McKinlay]

Whiteside is a family owned business and manufactures their bits in the United States. Always my first choice and Holbren has competitive prices, good service and reasonably priced shipping.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I prefer Whiteside
Having said that - Freud makes a lot of bits I like too.

Another useful maker is - Yonico for cheap but decent bits. They come in handy for odd bits you seldom use again.

[Brian Holcombe]

I prefer whiteside, cmt or Amana.

[Jim Becker]

I like how Freud handles many of their "form" bits with the alternating shear angles, but I don't use many of that kind of cutter. Like Brian, I favor Whiteside and Amana for many types of tooling.

[Tom M King]

Whiteside always first choice, with Amana a close second. Whiteside makes bits for other sellers, like the high end line of Eagle American, so those are good too.

[Josh Molaver]

Whiteside or Amana here. Toolstoday somehow delivers Amana bits consistently the very next day, so often use them.

[Curt Harms]

Freud does have one line that is unique to them AFAIK. Here is one example:

https://www.freudtools.com/products/99-760

They can make extra length tenons, I've always been a little sceptical about the short tenons on door rails though I've never had one fail. I don't have one but if I need to make cabinet doors that will change.

[Bryan Hall]

I’ve had both and lean towards whitesides but don’t feel as though it’s a dramatic difference.

I think the shop sounds podcast is sponsored by bitsbits.com and you can find a discount code there. Bitsbits has a coated option. I haven’t splurged for that yet (pricey) but it would be interesting to do a head to head comparison.

[Warren Lake]

Being married to one company is a guarantee you will not be always using the best bit for what you are doing. I have diff brands but one past job used tons of Onsrud bits as I didnt find anything else as sharp.