Harbor Freight Router Bits any good??? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Band Saw Box · 03-26-2009, 11:41 PM

Hello everyone
I going to build a few of Steve Goods Marble Climber for the Grandkids. I'm going to need a 3/8" Box Cove router bit. I dont know it I'll ever have use for it again. Harbor Freight has a 4 piece set of bits with a 3/8" Box Cove bit in it for about $10.00. I have never used and router bit for Harbor Freight so I dont know if they are any good. I'm just not sure if I should get this set of spend the extra money and get a good quality bit. I have used router bit in the past that were low end from these 3 day truck load tool sales that come and they were just no good at all and I wonder if the bit for HF are about the same. Any feed back I can get will be a big help.

Haggard3230 · 03-27-2009, 01:17 AM

I don't know for sure Dan. Be very careful though with inexpensive bits. They can be slightly off center or worse the weld my be defective and the bit will fly apart.

marshall · 03-27-2009, 01:43 AM

Dan I've brought a lot of Taiwan router bits and had good luck with them and good luck having them sharpened also .But I do know that their different grades of carbide and I'm sure that the cheaper router bits probably fall in this lower end grade range .Most of my bits fall in the cheap range and as long as you treat them as a cheap bits , just don't push them to hard in taking off to much material at one time . But recently I started buying the Eagle brand > which is made in the USA made and I think that they last longer , and Ive been told that they sharpen easier............ I'll keep an eye on this post just to see what the rest of the views are..........Marshall I think I'd give them a try

wood-n-things · 03-27-2009, 02:27 AM

Harbor freight doesn't always sell the top of the line stuff. I don't think they would stay in business if they sold defective merchandise very long. I have used their bits they don't hold an edge very long but they do the job if as Marshall says, you don't try and make them work too hard. I'd give em a go.

pat c · 03-27-2009, 04:19 AM

Harbor Freight has some gems and some dogs but I don't think I'd put anything of theirs that spins 35,000 rpm in my shop. Just my two cents, Pat

SNAPPER · 03-27-2009, 07:32 AM

In my opinion I would spend a little more for better quality bit. I have purchased the cheaper bits in the past and was disappointed. Poor quality carbide, burned the wood. I purchased a good set from Home Depot around $70. I don't do alot of router work but when I do I am glad I got the better set, clean cuts.
Dean

03-26-2009, 11:41 PM	#1
Band Saw Box World's Greatest Scroller Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 1,005	Harbor Freight Router Bits any good??? Hello everyone I going to build a few of Steve Goods Marble Climber for the Grandkids. I'm going to need a 3/8" Box Cove router bit. I dont know it I'll ever have use for it again. Harbor Freight has a 4 piece set of bits with a 3/8" Box Cove bit in it for about $10.00. I have never used and router bit for Harbor Freight so I dont know if they are any good. I'm just not sure if I should get this set of spend the extra money and get a good quality bit. I have used router bit in the past that were low end from these 3 day truck load tool sales that come and they were just no good at all and I wonder if the bit for HF are about the same. Any feed back I can get will be a big help. __________________ : Dan US Navy PR1 (Ret) To all who serve or have served, Thank you Well I am the worlds greatest scroller at my house.

03-27-2009, 01:17 AM	#2
Haggard3230 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Riverton, KS on Route 66 Posts: 2,714	I don't know for sure Dan. Be very careful though with inexpensive bits. They can be slightly off center or worse the weld my be defective and the bit will fly apart. __________________ Merle SSG US Army Retired. merlehobbs@yahoo.com

03-27-2009, 01:43 AM	#3
marshall Just love Being Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Jonesboro AR Posts: 2,113	Dan I've brought a lot of Taiwan router bits and had good luck with them and good luck having them sharpened also .But I do know that their different grades of carbide and I'm sure that the cheaper router bits probably fall in this lower end grade range .Most of my bits fall in the cheap range and as long as you treat them as a cheap bits , just don't push them to hard in taking off to much material at one time . But recently I started buying the Eagle brand > which is made in the USA made and I think that they last longer , and Ive been told that they sharpen easier............ I'll keep an eye on this post just to see what the rest of the views are..........Marshall I think I'd give them a try __________________ Usually busier than a cat in a sandbox !!!!!!!!!!! { Dewalt 788 only }

03-27-2009, 02:27 AM	#4
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,478 Blog Entries: 1	Harbor freight doesn't always sell the top of the line stuff. I don't think they would stay in business if they sold defective merchandise very long. I have used their bits they don't hold an edge very long but they do the job if as Marshall says, you don't try and make them work too hard. I'd give em a go. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

03-27-2009, 04:19 AM	#5
pat c Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Woodbine,Ga Posts: 433	Harbor Freight has some gems and some dogs but I don't think I'd put anything of theirs that spins 35,000 rpm in my shop. Just my two cents, Pat __________________ Woodworking is Therapy.... some of us need more therapy than others.

03-27-2009, 07:32 AM	#6
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 821	In my opinion I would spend a little more for better quality bit. I have purchased the cheaper bits in the past and was disappointed. Poor quality carbide, burned the wood. I purchased a good set from Home Depot around $70. I don't do alot of router work but when I do I am glad I got the better set, clean cuts. Dean

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