Quality router bits on the cheap?

[AceTKK]

Can anybody suggest a good place for router bits (online or B&M)?  MLCS woodworking has reasonable prices, and free shipping, but I'm wondering if I can do better.  I priced it out and I can get a 1/2" straight bit, 1/2" flush trim bit, 1-1/8" forstner bit, and the t-molding slot cutter for ~$50 shipped.  Is that reasonable?  Buying bits individually is, of course, more expensive but most of the sets come with a bunch of extra bits I'll never use.  Is there any place that let's you create your own set of specific bits for a discounted price?  Where do you guys shop?

Thx

[Effayy]

Well, I'm not so sure if this is what others suggest, but since I'm very new to woodworking, what I did was buy an 18-in-1 set of carbide bits (Ryobi 1/4" shank in a nice wood case) for $80 Canadian at the local Home Depot.

I figure that although these bits won't last long, it'll give me an indication of which bits I tend to use most often. Once the bits in my set wear out, I can go and purchase higher-quality bits as needed one-by-one.

The slot cutter bit isn't common, so that'd have to be bought seperately anyway.

- FA

[SpeedyR]

after buying a router a bit over a year ago (and spending a lot of time online checking out information) i got a great deal on a set from Blades N Bits.

http://www.bladesnbits.com/

I bought a set of 30 1/2" shank bits. I haven't used them a lot but when I have I have no complaints about their performance...

they are in canada but I had no issues with shipping to the US and it was very quick. anyone with a Ryobi Bt3100 can probably vouch for the guy, he does a lot of work with the forum there..

http://www.bt3central.com/forum/

Jeff

[wintermute]

Two things,

#1 you may already know this but a forstner bit is *NOT* for a router, it's for a drill press (20,000 rpm vs. ~750 rpm).  Sorry if I'm saying something obvious but I figured better safe than sorry.

#2 This isn't the cheapest way to do things, but whenever I need a router bit, I go get just the one I want from home depot or woodcraft.  In the long run, it's more expensive than buying a set, but I always get exactly what I want, and the cost of the bits is spread out over a longer time so I don't mind the $16 once in a while.

wm

[AceTKK]

Two things,

#1 you may already know this but a forstner bit is *NOT* for a router, it's for a drill press (20,000 rpm vs. ~750 rpm).  Sorry if I'm saying something obvious but I figured better safe than sorry.

Oh yea, I definitely should have put in a disclaimer or something.   Yes, the Forstner bit will be for the drill and I included it here because MLCS carries some pretty nice ones.

-Ace-

[Kobex]

I got my slot cutter from MLCS, and then grabbed a router bit set (1/4) at a local Costco when it went on sale for $30.  It included 3 straight bits (1/4, 3/8, 1/2), a flush trim bit, and a bunch of others.  I ended up also using the round-over bit for the trackball hole in my control panel lexan.

I thought $30 for the 20 bits (I think, maybe it was 18) was a good price.  I believe the normal price is $50 or $60, and it comes with a nice wooden case.  I have no idea of the relative quality if the bits as I had never used a router before.

[AceTKK]

Cool, thanks for the Costco tip. I might need to look into that.

[Timoe]

My wife also bought me that Costco router set.  It works great.  No slot cutter though.

[nostrebor]

after buying a router a bit over a year ago (and spending a lot of time online checking out information) i got a great deal on a set from Blades N Bits.

http://www.bladesnbits.com/

I bought a set of 30 1/2" shank bits. I haven't used them a lot but when I have I have no complaints about their performance...

they are in canada but I had no issues with shipping to the US and it was very quick. anyone with a Ryobi Bt3100 can probably vouch for the guy, he does a lot of work with the forum there..

http://www.bt3central.com/forum/

Jeff

I'll second this. I've had good luck with his bits, and the prices can be half of mlcs prices if you buy sets.

I also found him on bt3central!

[AceTKK]

Thx for that link too.  I spend a lot of time @ BT3Central also.

-Ace-

[NiteWalker]

The best bits money can buy. And not much more expensive than cheap china imports.
www.routerbits.com

[holtdoa]

I'm not sure quality router bits and cheap normally belong in the same sentance. You can get a decent price on Whiteside bits from their website. I lucked out and caught Woodcraft having a sale on their brand router bits. Seven or eight different styles, normally priced $9.99 to $29.99, five bucks a piece. I bought one of each in the half inch shank size. Woodcraft is also currently featuring a Whiteside bit of the month...

[NiteWalker]

I'd avoid woodcraft for whiteside bits. They are grossly overpriced. The best prices I've found on whitesides is at Holbren. I've delt with them numerous times and the customer service is always top shelf. The bits are priced lower than most competitors and shipping is free. Doesn't get much better.

[ScottS]

The best bits money can buy. And not much more expensive than cheap china imports.
www.routerbits.com

Agreed. Whiteside makes the best bits. One of the woodworking magazines, it might have been Fine Woodworking, did a test and determined the same thing. I've ordered numerous times from RouterBits.com (a.k.a. Whiteside) with excellent results. I generally avoid buying bit sets. You tend to get a bunch of bits you'll never use and the quality is pretty low, too.

[Kaytrim]

When getting a slot cutter what size and how deep should you cut for the T-Molding?

[NiteWalker]

For most t-molding you need a 1/16" cutter. Here's the page you need to look at. You need part #6700A which is the cutter itself. Now scroll down to the section that says slotting cutter arbors. You'll need part #A200B if your router takes 1/4" shank bits or #A210B if your router takes 1/2" shank bits. Whenever possible get 1/2" shank bits as they are more stable and vibrate less than 1/4" bits.

The setup as mentioned cuts a slot 1/16" wide by 1/2" deep. Perfect for t-molding.

EDIT:
Here's the links to holbren. This is the best source for whitesides as the shipping is always fast and free and the gent behind it (Brian) is a great person to deal with.
Here's the 1/16" Cutter. This is what does the cutting. 
Here's the 1/4" arbor. Remember to get the 1/2" if your router can support it (most can).
Here's the 1/2" arbor. Get this one if at all possible.