Choosing a router bit kit?

[Crax]

Looks like I may be getting a router here soon, and of course I will need some bits to go with it.  I was hoping to buy a kit instead of them all separately.  I have seen quite a few of you in here mention routerbits.com and this kit looks pretty good to me:

http://www.routerbits.com/cgi-routerbits/sr.cgi?1171036655_15064+540

Would this cover what I would need to build a cabinet?  Is there a better kit to get for starting out or what other bits should add to this one?

Any help for this complete router noob would be appreciated.

[leapinlew]

You need a slot cutter bit for the t-molding. I ordered my bits separately from MLCSwoodworking.com

[leapinlew]

I just looked at it again. $99 is too much to spend. Just buy the bits you need instead of wasting money on bits you may never used.

To date I've used: Slot cutter bit for the t-molding, Flush trim bit for pattern tracing and cutting plexi, and a chamfer bit to put 45 degree angles on my plexi.

I started with just the slot cutter bit and it was all I needed for my first cabinet.

www.mlcswoodworking.com

[Crax]

Thanks for the help so far leapinlew.  I will make sure to get a slot cutting bit(or 2?) Is 1/16" the general size for t-molding?  What sizes did you use?

I was looking into getting a kit with some common bits as I am sure having bits mostly specific to cabinet building won't go over as well with the wife.  I can at least semi justify having some of the other bits 

[spiffykyle]

I too recommend buying bits individually as you need them. There are plenty of threads here that discuss which bits are best for building an arcade cabinet.

You can get by with only a few bits for making the cabinet, and unless you plan on some major home cabinet building or artsy router work, you won't need any more. I recomend:

Straight bit
Pattern and or flush trim (same thing really, just the bearing is on opposite ends of the cutters)
Slot cutter

Chamfer and roundover bits are handy if you want to do edging, but since you are using T-molding, it probably won't be necessary. Same thing with the cove bits. Rabbeting bits are handy if you are doing some simple joinery where butt-joints won't do, but againe, not necessary as a straight bit compled with a straight board will accomplish the same thing. Honestly, you can spend hundreds of dollars on bits you will hardly ever use.

Just make sure you get router bits with the same sized shank as the collet on your router, i.e. a 1/2" shank won't fit in a 1/4" collet.

As far a slot cutter sizes, check the T-molding you are getting since sometimes they have wierd sizes.

[rdowdy95]

If you never used a router before I suggest a good strong cookie sheet to protect the family jewels.  Get some rope and tie it around your waist with the cookie sheet in front of the juevos!

[TOK]

If you never used a router before I suggest a good strong cookie sheet to protect the family jewels.  Get some rope and tie it around your waist with the cookie sheet in front of the juevos!

I'd think any rope tied around your body and power tools is asking for trouble.
I suggest just not putting your dick near the router. Yikes.

[NiteWalker]

Here's a good set for cabinet building:

This is an excellent flush trim bit. No cabinet builder should be without one.

This is a good all around bit to have. If you have a set of template guide bushings, this bit will be used a lot.

This is another general purpose bit. I use this one to hog out joystick recesses for happ sticks. Very good bit to have.

You'll also need this and this if you plan on using t-molding (which you should, t-molding rocks! ).

A couple of bits that will round out your collection nicely are a 1/8" roundover bit and a chamfering bit.

This is a great starter collection for an aspiring cabinet builder. Most jobs involved in arcade cabinet making can be accomplished using these bits. You can add to your collection as new jobs/tasks come up.

The place I linked to is a great source for whiteside bits. Use the code woodnet10 to get 10% off your order and shipping is always free. Great source. The discount plus free shipping beats anything routerbits.com can do. The set I just listed above comes to a total of $96.08 after the discount. Expensive it seems, but these are super high quality bits and worth every penny. You can omit any bits you won't use right away (maybe you won't need the chamfer bit or round over bits right away; same with the 3/4" straight bit). The bits I'd recommend getting up front are the 1/2" straight bit, the flush trim bit, and the slot cutter and arbor. The others can be added as needed. Since shipping is always free you don't have to worry about trying to get a bunch at once to save on shipping. The bits I just mentioned come to a total of $46.83 after the discount. Much more tolerable. Next I would get the chamfer, then the roundover (very useful general purpose bits), and then the 3/4" straight bit. Then fill out as needed.

Since you're new to routing I highly suggest getting this book. It's more of a router bible than a guidebook. Everything is covered in it. It's presented in a straightforward manner so that even router noobs can understand and learn from it. A lot of what I know about using a router was from this book. 11/10.

One more thing, what router are you planning on getting? I ask because a poor quality router will result in poor (not to mention dangerous ) cuts even with good bits. Since you seem to be on the right track in selecting whiteside routerbits, you should do the same for your router. This one is an excellent router to have. Super smooth running and plenty powerful. The extra accessories included are very nice, especially the edge guide. I have this set and love it. This is another excellent choice. It's even a bit nicer than the bosch IMHO. I have this one as well and like it a bit more than the bosch, but given the extra accessories and the $25 lower price, the bosch is probably the better deal at the moment. You'll be happy with either.

Hope this helps a bit. 

Lew, with the discount and free shipping the whiteside bits from holbren are around the same if not a bit cheaper than MLCS (which are good 2nd rate bits; not up there with Whiteside, CMT, Freud, but good for second rates). With the whitesides being higher quality than the MLCS bits (by far) I can't recommend MLCS as a source.

rdowdy95, no cookie sheet necessary. Just keep a good grip on that router. 

[Crax]

Thanks so much for that post.  I think that pretty much covered everything.   

I think I will go with basic 4 pieces  you listed plus the router book.  It's my birthday here in the next week, so I will just pass this list over to my wife 

[Loki]

Can you go wrong with something like this?
50 bits for €80 ($104) second hand.
I'm not going to buy it but it looks like a nice deal to me.

I'm not much of a wood worker so I guess I'll rent one. (those are often professional tools)

[ChadTower]

I'd think any rope tied around your body and power tools is asking for trouble.
I suggest just not putting your dick near the router. Yikes.

Wouldn't a flung bit shoot through the cookie sheet without even slowing down as it shot through your sack and probably your pelvis?

[NiteWalker]

99% of the time when a router bit breaks it's buried in the work and not likely to pose a danger to the jewels. On top of that, if you're routing and have the router low enough to put your schlong in danger you have other things to worry about...

Routing should be done on a surface at least 36" high. The less stooping you have to do to see the work the better. I know this is a bit more difficult when working on cabinet sides, but you can get a cheap pair of saw horse brackets from HD or Lowe's and build an extra tall pair out of 2x4's.

Loki, the case is the nicest part about that set...
When I first got into woodworking I bought a set of 40 bits and ended up only using about 15 of them. They weren't that great of quality so the ones I used frequently (flush trim, straight, etc.) wore out very quickly and have been since replaced with Whitesides.

[NiteWalker]

See this post.

[Crax]

I saw that post, and already purchased a set.  Thanks for the heads up

[clockwork]

Damn, where were you when I was buying tools, NiteWalker. That's less than 1/2 the price of the set I bought and probably better. I wanted a starter set so I could play with the different bits. I'd like to do some furniture work, so I thought it'd be fun to experiment. I may grab this set anyway just for the 1/2" bits.

If you never used a router before I suggest a good strong cookie sheet to protect the family jewels.  Get some rope and tie it around your waist with the cookie sheet in front of the juevos!

That's my #1 fear.

Funny that most guys would prefer a shot in the eyes than the jewels.

[NiteWalker]

Wow that's a lot for skil bits...

Might as well grab a set for $20. The 1/2" bits make a world of difference on anything larger than 1/2" diameter. I used to have a 3/4" diameter 1/4 shank" straight bit (ryobi) and it chattered so much it made my armpits numb...