Buying Invidual Router Bits verses buying router bit sets

Individual versus Router Bit Sets.

So your ready to stock your shop with a set of router bits. Chances are you already have a few bits already.
What are the best choices? Do you buy a big set or do you build up your collection one at a time? Both have
their merits.

Individual Router Bits
This method involves collecting your set, piece by piece, one bit at a time. This can take longer but usually
means you don’t have router bits that go unused in your collection. Knowing what your looking for can help
stock your bit holder faster and reduce the chance of putting your project on hold while you go to the store or
order online.

Decide and Conquer

The next step is to decide what your main projects are. If you know you cut a lot of dado’s, grooves or slots for
example, you will want to have a good variety of straight router bits available. If you laminate a lot of your
projects, having more than one flush trim bit is very valuable. (when one is dull, you have a backup) If you like
to make attractive edge profiles with your router table, then those would be the bits that you would target. This
is where you decide whether or not you need a preassembled set or not.

New Bits
New route bit designs come out all the time. Specialized needs are always being addressed and marketed.
There is a new set of plywood edge bits that allow you to make amazing finished edges for plywood. These
bits were not available a year ago. You won’t find them in the newer preassembled router bit sets. Adding
them to your collection is a great option, especially if you build any furniture. New bits that solve old problems
are constantly becoming available.

Storage
If you buy a set, chances are they came in an attractive box or wall mounted cabinet. These sets do not leave
room for you to add your own router bits. When you build your own collection, you can address your own
storage cabinet needs by either building your own or using Bit holders. I like bit holders and you can make
them very fancy if you like to show off a bit. For most of us, storage and room are always an issue. Believe it
or not, solving the storage problem first is a good place to start.

Pros and Cons

Individual Router Bits

Pros