Neiko Router Bits

[weissmx]

Does anyone have any experience with Neiko Router bits? I am wondering about the quality. They are supposedly fairly decent C2 carbide tipped bits

Thanks

[JoeSpackle]

I have not used them but I do know a little about them.

They are Chinese made, sold generally in kit form at reasonable price generally on Amazon or affiliates of them..

I am not sure if your intent is to garner a large collection of router bits but I would counsel you to refrain from buying kits.

I have found that one of the best ways to approach router acquisition is to purchase quality bits as the need arises. If I need a particular bit I will locate it and if possible I will try to purchase a couple more patterns I keep on a wish list.
This saves shipping costs and I end up with a few more bits that I actually use.

My collection is considerable to say the least and everyone of them is useful in my day to day operation.

There are plenty of reputable makers of bits out there and I encourage you to consider this approach.

Joe

[Fbranco]

I'll offer a slightly different opinion :
If you are looking for a source of cheap router bits, woodcraft has these on special for $5.00 each quite often. I use them all the time and I find them to be a great value for a hobbyist.

I do agree with Joe on not buying a kit.

[boboreilly]

I'm gonna disagree about the kits. I never bought a kit and I can't tell you how many times there was a bit I wanted to have while coming up with some type of molding profile but didn't have it. That turned into a trip to woodcraft, who didn't have it, and then a last ditch effort to the borg to find that they don't have it either. Even if one of those places did have the bit, I would be dropping $20+ for it. Finally, I end up ordering it online and waiting 3-4 days for it, delaying my project. All for a bit I literally need to use for 30 minutes and will probably never use again???

I think the beauty of a kit is that you have a ton of options avaialable to you WHEN YOU NEED THEM. If you find that you keep using that bit over and over again, then that is a good time to go out and buy the better bit.

JMHO but I will be buying a kit for this very reason.

[stwoodie]

I bought 1 small kit years ago. HSS. Remember those?



Since then, I just bought what I needed, usually in multiples if I saw the need to keep using that profile.


Not to often that I have to wait on a bit anymore. I have plenty.

[Boxman]

I used the same approach as Bobor...I found that it was nice having a selection available immediately. I've been upgrading as I wear out bits from the kit and adding more specialized bits not included in the kit but the kit was a great place to start.

[weissmx]

My intent here is that I making my first attempt at raised panel cabinet doors, so the kit approach is almost a must. I have a small collection of other bits. The purpose of the question is, the raised panel kits from Neiko I am looking at are approx $50 versus $150 - $200 from CMT or Freud. I am a home hobbyist at best and won't be making a ton of cabinets, actually I only need to make 8 doors. So for my need, I was wondering about the quality of the Neiko brand.

[Lorax]

I agree with Bobor and Boxy.

[Brian]

I am pretty sure the Neiko bits are made at the same factory I used to use for my Holbren brand bits. Assuming that's the case, I used to buy C2 24 piece sets sold in high volume that were very innexpensive. Here is the difference between those sets and my better bits I offered. I can't say for sure these differences are the same as with Neiko but my point is don't assume all Chinese bits are the same.

The C2 sets:

- used recycled carbide
- bearings were not as good
- tolerances were not as good
- braising materials were inferior

[JoeSpackle]

Thanks for chiming in Brian

It is always good to hear from someone who has dealings in the industry.

Joe