Having good router bits at hand is important for every woodworker, but finding good bits for any project is usually the biggest problem. The problem with most bits is that it is either not of a durable quality or is too expensive to be afford. A solution to this problem can be Harbor Freight router bits. Harbor Freight aims to deliver quality and affordability in its products and their brand is known to one of the best maker of woodworking tools.
If you are a woodworker, you must have heard the name of this brand because they have been around for decades. They have a wide range of products, most of which are pretty affordable. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the brand before and then move on to reviewing five of its most popular router bits.
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Why choose Harbor Freight router bits?
Just like any other brand selling router bits, Harbor Freight also has both good and bad sides to its products. So, here’s considering both the aspects of it.
Harbor Freight is a known name in the industry, when it comes to being a trusted manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of tools and machinery. Given the fact that it has been around since 1977, the company has quite an experience when it comes to manufacturing quality woodworking tools.
They have increasingly growing their manufacturing unit, and at present, apart from best router bits, they also have a range of hand tools, welding machines, plumbing tools, engines, generators, and so on. Maintaining the international standard of manufacturing and quality has really come in handy for the brand in holding on to that reputation for such a long time.
The Good
- Amazing heat resistance power of the bits given the price point of all the products
- A wide range of products on offer, from single bits to router bit sets of twelve and more
- Most of the products from Harbor Freight has C3 carbide tips, which ensure durability and precision
- The brand has really worked on reducing kickbacks, which makes these bits safe to work with
- Useful to be worked on the widest range of projects, and suitable for both newbies and professionals
- Highly affordable price point, with additional discounts offered from time to time
The Bad
- Some of the router bit sets do not come with boxes so storage is an issue
- The wooden box that comes with some of the sets is also not up to the mark in terms of quality
- Some of the bits are not that great as per quality and might break when used every day rigorously
Product reviews for Harbor Freight router bits
1. WARRIOR Carbide Tip Router Bit Set
Warrior router bits set are made with a C2 tungsten carbide tip aimed to deliver precision and durability at the same time. It also comes with an anti-kickback design that prevents splintering and lets the router run smoothly and last you for a long time. The anti-kickback design also makes the router bit safe to use. The brand claims that you will get to create a flawless, smooth finish on the work piece.
This router bit also comes with a wooden case that helps in storing everything in an organized manner. You will also be able to carry this everywhere with you in case you are woodworking somewhere away from your home. The shanks and the bodies are heated fully to ensure maximum durability. This is a great router bit set given the price point it comes at.
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2. LIFETIME CARBIDE Tip Router Bit Set
This one is a twelve piece set that covers all the basic router bits that you might need as an amateur or as a professional. The router bits have carbide tips, which makes them durable and sharp, and helps them last for a long time. The anti-kickback design of each router bit in the set helps in the prevention of overfeeding. It also lets the router go smoothly over the work pieces.
The ¼ in. shanks are all precision ground, which is another effort by the brand to make the product durable. The brand also offers a hundred percent satisfaction guarantee on the product. If you are not satisfied with the item for any reason, you can return it within ninety days for a replacement or a full refund. The router bits set come packed in a wooden presentation case for storage and portability.
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3. WARRIOR 1/4 In. Carbide Tip Roundover / Beading Router Bit
Warrior 1/4 Inch Carbide bits are great to cut beads and routing the round edges. You can control the depth of the cut, which in turn minimizes the kickback. The precise ground cutter edges maintain the sharpness for a long duration. The bodies and shanks are completely heated to offer the maximum durability to the users.
It is important to use a 3/8 inch bearing for the beading, and the good thing is that it comes included in the package. For round over, a ½ inch bearing must be used. The bit is made of high-grade steel and it is one inch in diameter and 2/38 inch in length. Micro grain carbide has been used on the tips to make sure that the router lasts for a long time.
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4. DRILL MASTER High Speed Steel Spiral Mortising Router Bit Set
This set has three router bits and they are perfect for the purpose of cutting mortises. The brand claims that the routers have been made from M2 high-speed steel to make sure that they run faster and cooler than the typical router bits set. There are other features as well that make it a good purchase. So, all the router bits have a spiral design, which makes sure that the material is removed faster but the bits stay free of any chip.
The sizes that it comes in include 3/8 inch x 3 inch, 1/2 inch x 3-1/4 inch, and 1/4 inch x 3 inch. The steel tip of the three router bits offers great durability and longevity. The brand also offers a hundred percent satisfaction guarantee on the product. If you are not satisfied with the item for any reason, you can return it within ninety days for a replacement or a full refund.
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5. WARRIOR Carbide Tip Straight Router Bit Set
When you want to get clean, straight cuts, this is the set of router bits that you can rely on. It is a versatile set that comes with three of the most commonly used bit sizes. The best part is the price as you would hardly get a router bit set in the market at this price. The brand has surprisingly maintained the quality to a great extent given the price point they come at.
You will get a smooth cut with minimum kickback, which makes cutting easy and also safe for you. The ground-cutting edge make sure that there is sharpness and precision. The bodies and shanks are completely heated to offer the maximum durability to the users. The tips are made from C3 micro grain carbide, which improves the quality of cutting and also ensures longevity.
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Should you go for Harbor Freight router bits?
When it comes to answering this question, the first thing that has to be kept in mind is the price point. Harbor Freight has some of the cheapest products in the market, and the brand frequently offers discounts which makes the prices even more affordable.
Now, when you compare the prices with the quality, you are basically getting a fair deal with Harbor Freight. Their tools are of reasonably decent quality and these last quite a while. The users do not have too many complaints regarding the products. So, yes, you should definitely give Harbor Freight router bits a try. By fixing a few things, these router bits will soon be considered among the best router bits in the market.
