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They also did not provide a complete set of bits to match the Incra Ultra/WonderFence like Freud does. But the Freud bits and blades last much longer than cheaper brands and as long as more expensive brands like Whiteside, Infinity, Eagle America, and Lee Valley. I have just cut over 1500 board feet with these bits and the dovetails/dattos are as perfect as the first. I have owned many Freud/Diablo router bits and saw blades and this set maintains the same high standards. Any bit will cut sharp when new. It is nice to know I can do everything in the Reference Guide with the Freud package.Keep your bits and blades clean (I use Calgon/Simple Green) and you will get years of use from these tools.
I wrote the cutter width on the case with a sharpie, no big deal The case seems nice as well.Other vendors only have 6 bits in their incra set. I have about 40 of their bits (as well as other vendor bits), and this is great quality as always.The case now has markings for the degree of each dovetail bit. I've made some nice boxes with this set. I don't know what the other reviewers were really complaining about. This is another great set of Freud bits. This is great, and it works on Jointech systems as well.
I own several Freud router bits and saw blades and have never been disappointed, these are no exception. The undersized bit dimensions in conjuction with normal router runout gives the correct size fingers and grooves in they're present condition of sharpness, they may become tighter as wear occurs. I wasn't pleased with the bad press other owners gave this set. First cut verses last cut still measured the same width so initial sharpness either isn't gone or isn't going to go away. This set comes packaged in a very nice wooden fitted case with a see through clear plastic hinged lid. Overall these products didn't disappoint. When I received the set I first measured the staight bits and they were indeed undersized. After trying them both making box/finger joints on two 7" wide boxes each (two poplar and two maple) I had no problem, the joints fit together snugly not tight and were assemlable by hand.
Freud has addressed the bit identification issue on they're packaging by about 75%. Both the straight and dovetail bits cut clean, snooth and chatterfree joints. After ordering the 1/2" shank version of this set I then read the reviews. The 3/8" bit measured.3730-.3734 over it's length and the 1/4" bit measured.2468-.2473 over it's length. The straight bits are identified with part number and diameter and the dovetail bits are identified with part number and angle only, no diameter.
If this wasn't a Christmas gift, it would be going right back. How do I tell if this is 9- or 7-degree dovtail bit. Don't go for the name try somebody else. It is the height of arrogance (and stupidity) to make router bits without showing their size on them. All you get is a 5-digit part number and a big Freud logo. And then I tried one of their bits and it was undersized.
Because of my past experience with Freud products, I purchased the Freud 8 piece set for Incra Jig. Recently I added an Incra LS17 super system to my shop. I returned the set and replaced them with CMT which work well. I have many Freud bits and saw blades. I have always been very happy with their products. Much to my surprise both straight cut bits in the set were undersized, and produced unacceptable box joints using Incra scales.
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