Router bits just not cutting it

[richtea]

Ive tried a lot of router manufacturers, I ran a solid surfacing fabrication training school, that stuff is hard, kills a TC saw blade in a 10 yards of cutting. The only brand I would buy was Dimar, they are made in Israel I think. They go though hard maple like butter. Plus the best laid out most user friendly catalogue I have ever seen, it will become your bible. I still drive 50km and pay twice as much for them.

 

[richtea]

Oh, something I learned from an old hand, and it saved me lots of cash, burnt hardwood, and time. Get hold of a diamond stone, a flat thin one and each time you use a router bit, before you put it away, just give the flats of the router bit a few strokes, its stays sharp way way way longer. It feels like you are doing nothing but i've proved it works. The sharpening services remove way to much material in my opinion. The carbide breaks down from heat generated from friction, that's why slightly blunt bits go from slightly blunt to very blunt quickly. If the bit is sharp it stays cooler, and lasts longer. sorry if this is well known, it was news to me. I have razor sharp bits that are 20years old, so I it was thought worth passing on

 

[HaMMerHeD]

This stuff helps too:

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A lot of blunt bits and blades are gummed up with the pitch and resin found in all woods. That stuff helps dissolve it.

 

[Scoops]

@richtea -Thanks for the reference to Dimar. I'll give em a go.

I did pick up some Whiteside bits. Time willl tell with theses. They seem to be looking pretty good so far.

Thanks All!

 

[the baint]

Glad to see you picked up Whiteside - they get my vote. I'll have to check out Dimar some day, too.

 

[chadbag]

I've mostly been using the CMT and the Freud bits, with a couple Amana thrown in. I have a few other various makes for specific sizes I could not find in Freud or CMT.