Router cutters

[BrokenBiker]

looking for a decent brand of router cutters, mainly want bits for rounding over, chamfers, fancy edging etc. already have a handful of 12.7mm cutters of various lengths and have a biscuit cutter I think its called for cutting slots in the side of a bit of wood to insert little round or oval bits like dowels.

haven't got any for edging though so what is good to buy?

 

[Parm]

Depends on what you want to do and how much money you want to spend. If money is no object then i would recommend the trend cutters. Ive built up a set over the years for my general hobby use they are fairing very well. Ive also got a worktop cutter to go with my jig. I change this quite regualry as the chipboard in modern tops is very abrasive on the cutter and takes of the edge.

 

[mike os]

CMT if you can find a stockist or online... IMO trend are overpriced

 

[mike os]

TBH for most uses almost any will do, even had a really cheap (£20-30) 1/2" set that was far better than the price suggested .... and perfectly adequate for most needs

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have a trend 12.7mm cutter, came with my jig I think. the others are a mix of cheap and average priced. will have a look at the cmt ones

 

[hunter27]

I only use my routers occasionally and have bought Trend bits on Ebay providing the price was right, But mainly for what I do I use a couple of cheap sets I got from Aldi or Lidl for about £6 a set they are only 1/4" but come with an 1/4" X 1/2" bush. The only problem I sometimes find is that the bit's are to short depending what I am doing.
Pete

 

[DanielW]

Any cutters are as good as each other, the trick is to use em in two to three passes and not one pass,plus keeping a constant sweep so as not to burn the wood.

All my cutters are from the US as they're all 1/2" shank except for the cheaper brands.

 

[Hitch]

I hear good things about the Rutlands sets, not expensive. I bought a big cheap set of 1/2" ones from eBay which I can't complain about, but the straight ones I tend to replace as they get used more.
For oddball ones like keyhole cutters, I tend to buy Trend.

 

[richie00boy]

CMT are very good but not cheap. I use them as others (cheaper) I have found lose their edge after a while on worktops. You need a perfect cut on worktops every time. If you are just cutting MDF then even Silverline will do for quite a while.

I find I use the top and bottom bearing guided trimming/straight cutters the most. They also come in handy for tidying up saw cut edges of coated chipboard, which invariably chips as you saw it.

Do not buy a set, just buy a few of what you actually need and will use.

 

[mike os]

Rutlands stuff is usually OK

 

[DanielW]

I find I use the top and bottom bearing guided trimming/straight cutters the most. They also come in handy for tidying up saw cut edges of coated chipboard, which invariably chips as you saw it.

Perhaps it might be wise to use a short straight edge cutter on the laminate surface first ie cut the surface first then saw through the chipboard,put an aluminium straightedge over or a couple of thou near the edge and saw it through,this will stop any chipping.

 

[Robotstar5]

and invest in a set of these to keep a good edge on the cutters.

 

[tlovatt]

I would also vote for the Tornado cutters from Rutlands - they are nicely made cutters that are on a par with the CMT cutters I have. Rutlands also has a nice range at reasonable prices.

 

[brightspark]

if your using them with a jig on worktops even the good quality ones want binning after cutting about 4 sets or used afterwards on things less acurate .worktops are a killer with saws cutters and a wood plane

 

[Hitch]

and invest in a set of these to keep a good edge on the cutters.

Exactly. I give one or two the odd lick with a diamond slip now and then prior to doing any great amount of routing.

if your using them with a jig on worktops even the good quality ones want binning after cutting about 4 sets or used afterwards on things less acurate .worktops are a killer with saws cutters and a wood plane

Most of the worktop lads seem to price in a new cutter every joint, shame to ruin £300 worth or worktop for the sake of a couple of quid on a new sharp cutter.
That said, Depends on how you are doing it, saw cutting, then just trimming, or cutting with the router.