There is amazing agreement here. I, too, buy individuality and favor Whiteside, CMT, Amana and Freud. I'll always go with Whiteside if they make what I need. Whiteside has a downloadable pdf catalog on their web site with helpful illustrations of the cutting profiles.

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I like Eagle-America as a source for bits. They're made in the USA with MLCS being their made in China sister company. Their catalogs are good for looking for unusual and specialty bit profiles. But I wouldn't pass u[p a good deal from any of the major companies, on a set of commonly used bits to start with - just not those big 40-piece sets, most of which wont get used.

The “Prairie Dog” Model 900 gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 14 inches in diameter, in lengths of 150 feet and more. The Model 900RTW is a versatile boring machine designed for any size job. Its high floatation tires make it easy to use even extremely wet conditions. The Prairie Dog is designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance. Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

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The “Prairie Dog” Model 500 gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 6 inches in diameter, in lengths of 100 feet and more. The Model 500RTW is a versatile boring machine designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance. Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

Of course, the set does not include that awesome bit, but it does include rabbeting, flush cutting, ogee, roundover and cove bits in varying sizes that offer a lot of options to the occasional user. The price is so low that they make a really good starting (and fallback) position for the beginner, and at less than half the price of one decent bit for the full set are a good investment.

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The “Prairie Dog” Model 900 gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 14 inches in diameter, in lengths of 150 feet and more. The Model 900TW is a versatile boring machine designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance. Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

The “Prairie Dog” Model 1200 gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 24 inches in diameter, in lengths of 200 feet and more. The Model 1200TW is a versatile boring machine designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance. Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

I would mention I have been quite surprised by the Yonica bits on Amazon. I got a t&g bitset not expecting much, but was quite impressed by the precision. Durability unknown at this point.

The “Prairie Dog” Model 700 gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 24 inches in diameter, in lengths of 200 feet and more. The Model 700TWA designed to operator in bore pits as deep as a 8 feet below ground level. A strong frame protects the machine from damage in handling and operation. The Prairie Dog is designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance. Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

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Bargain bits are great till you find what you use most. Once you know, go for quality. Resharpening quality router bits is not expensive compared to buying cheap ones over and over.

I’m doing my best to slowly acquire tools, but I have some spending cash and would like some advice before my evil ways take a hold of me. I’m in need of two router bits for crafting a cutting board, but have plans to craft other small projects in the next month. I’m aware of which router bits I’ll need, however brands such as Rockler and Freud have some large sets which include 3, 6, 9 or 12 bits as a package.

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The “Prairie Dog” Model 500 TWHW gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 6 inches in diameter, in lengths of 100 feet and longer. It’s compact design makes it easy to use in even the smallest workspaces. The versatility of the “Prairie Dog” 500 TW enables you to operate either above or below the ground utilizing standard piping.  The “Prairie Dog” is designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance.  Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive and time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

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My current knowledge, experience and future plans are simply to better my home only. Would it be wise to grab router bits individually as needed per project, or should I grab a large set if available?

Once you wear out a bit from the set, or need better results then of course, replace it with a decent one. If you need a bit not in the set, only buy a decent one.

The “Prairie Dog” Model 1800 gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 3 to 28 inches in diameter, in lengths of 300 feet and more. The Model 1800TW is a versatile boring machine designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance. Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

The Freud bits I bought 30 years ago are still going strong, the Yonico bits I bought 5 years ago lasted one job, I still use them but they burn the wood unless I take vary small passes. For an odd bit that I will use for one job, I buy the cheap ones. For the cove, bullnose, rabbet, straight bits I buy Freud or equivalent.

GeeDubBee, I'm not surprised. I saw a program on DIY or similar TV channel that toured a router bit factory. I think they said that there were only a couple of manufacturers in the US that made most companies bits, with the paint a different color for different brands.

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The “Prairie Dog” Model 140HW gas powered Horizontal boring tool allows a single operator to bore holes from 2 to 5 inches in diameter, in lengths of 50 feet and longer. It’s compact design makes it easy to use in even the smallest workspaces. The versatility of the “Prairie Dog” 140HW enables you to operate either above or below the ground utilizing standard piping.  The “Prairie Dog” is designed to be inexpensive to operate and requires little maintenance.  Whether you install cables or pipelines, digging trenches through existing structures is expensive an time consuming. The “Prairie Dog” line of products allows you to bore holes under existing structures easily and economically.

That being said I have . . . . well . . . too many router bits. Quality over quantity once you know your main users. A $35 Whiteside will outlast a $25 Rockler two to one or more; now which one costs more?

I agree with buy the bits you need for the project at hand. You will most likely use them again. Sets will have bits you will probably never use. Buy the best bits you can, Whiteside, Amana, Freud etc. They cost more but will be sharp and last a lot longer than cheaper off brands. Good luck.

From the perspective of the beginner they offer very good value and mean you can do a range of jobs that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. You can buy a set of 35 carbide tipped bits covering most workshop tasks for the cost of one decent whiteside spiral upcut bit.

John_C2 nailed it. Sets often result in paying for bits that never get used. Here's an article on the basic set: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2006/09/01/10-essential-router-bits

I have purchased sets. I don't use most of the bits in the set. There are a few "go to" and the rest look good in the box. When it comes to bits, never trade quantity for quality. Stick to Whiteside, Freud, Amana and MLCS. As an aside, 1/2" shanks are less likely to flex than 1/4" shanks. If your router has a collet for each go for 1/2" and never forget to reduce speed for larger bits.

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