Lost $120 on a router bit set that seemed too good to be true

I saw a 20 piece router bit set online for $40 and thought I scored big. Turned out the bits were dull after like 2 passes on some pine and one of them actually flew apart on me. That was last month and I had to spend $80 on a proper Freud set just to finish the job. Got lucky nothing hit me in the face but it shook me up pretty good. Anyone else get burned by cheap bits before?

3 comments

3 Comments

cora5181mo ago

My uncle actually told me a story about cheap bits after he saw me loading up on them at a closeout sale. He said he knew a guy who lost an eye to a cheap router bit that shattered, and that stuck with me. After reading about that happening to others online, I started sticking to name brands like Diablo or Freud for any bit I use regularly. The price difference isn't worth the risk of getting hurt or having to redo work.

sandra_bennett591mo ago

A buddy of mine had a cheap spade bit explode on him once while he was drilling some fence posts. Sent a chunk right into his cheek, not even a deep cut but man it scared him. @cora518 I hear you, I only buy name brand bits now too, that close out deal ain't worth a trip to the ER.

lilya761mo ago

Did you ever think those cheap sets were just as good before something happened? I'll be honest I used to grab whatever was cheapest at Harbor Freight thinking bits are bits. Then I had a cheap dado stack wobble so bad it smoked a piece of oak and left burn marks all over. That was the moment I realized I was being penny wise and pound foolish with my tools. Seeing stories like yours and the guy who almost lost an eye really drove it home for me.