> Hi Folks,

> I'm going to be buying router bits today, [bead and cove ofcourse]. Fact
> is , I've never bought a router bit in my life. Until Schades book, I
> didnt even know what one looked like! INFACT, I just bought a plungr
> router a week ago!

> My question is this...

> Exactly what kind of bits am I looking for? What do I ask the carpentor at
> Home Depot to find me on the shelf? I dont know sizes, types or anything.
> Totally in the dark here. I praise Schades book a lot.... a really
> competent work, but the router section didnt mention bit sizes.

> Lastly, Ive heard it mentioned that the bits can cost $40!!! Why so much

Pete, I just recieved my bits from Woodcraft and haven't used them, but they look of good quality and ran about the same $40 as most of the rest. I bought 1/4" shank bits cause that's the only thing my router will take. You might ask around and see if anyone has had any problem with their bits vibrating or flexing, as sometimes that is a problem with the 1/4" shank bits. I've mostly done cabinet and furniture work with them and found that I was getting a little bit of a ripple in the surface of my cuts. I have heard that the 1/2" shank bits solve that problem quite readily. On 1/4" material, that may not be a problem, but would be something worth asking about. BUT...... the 1/2" bits are a bit pricier( is that a word? )and you'd have to change the collet in your router to accept the 1/2" shank. Most new routers have that capability, but again, you need to puchace the collet. I'd say, ask first and then check out the expense. If you intend to use the router for any other use later on, that's the way I would go. Just Food for thought. :)

Anyone out there had any problem with wobble or vibration on the 1/4" shank bits while working on 1/4" material????????

Rehd