Customer Reviews

Freud 32-524 1-3/8-Inch Rabbeting Bits with Bearing Set

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Just received this bit set from Amazon.com. Regretably, I've found the same problem as other users - the collars for the 7/8" bearing. I called Freud and they gave me an RMA, but I'm calling again tomorrow to see if they will just send me the bearing with the collars swaged in. The bit is made in Italy, but the bearings come from China and poor comunication may be the problem. To use the system you must keep the diagram that comes with the kit.

I was very frustrated to find that parts for the first two setups I needed didn't fit or parts were apparently missing. For the 1/4" rabbet setup, the 5/16" reducers are too large to fit into the 7/8" bearing. Where's their quality control? For another setup the 3/8" and 1/2" step washers are missing or don't fit.

I wish I had read the reviews first, then I would have known to check for parts that don't fit. But I've had good luck in the past with Freud bits and thought I was getting a quality product. I discovered tonight (like many others) that the 5/16 reducers don't fit the 7/8 bearing.

Not only do they lack quality control at the plant, but how many of these are still sitting on shelves waiting to suprise the next unfortunate buyer? Ever heard of a recall or Service Bulletin? How did I happen upon one 2 years and 8 months after they knew about the problem? (See other reviews.) Or was this the fault of the retailer or distributor?

The irony of it all is I happened to "luck-up" and find it in-stock at the local lumber yard, thus avoiding the added delay and expense of ordering on-line. This particular lumber yard is 14.5 miles up the road from Freud's USA Corporate office in High Point NC. I'm considering driving the extra distance and returning it directly to the manufacturer in person in addition to writing a letter.

I was contacted be a Freud representative on his own initiative. He sent me a new bearing with the reducers pressed in. The reducers were dimensioned for a press fit. I really appreciate the time taken by Freud to correct this problem and the fact that they didn't wait for me to contact them. I would rate this product 5 stars if you didn't need to keep track of all the reducers. The pressed in reducers are really the way to go.

I was rabbiting some boards and I could feel the tool pressure going up as the bit became dull. I didn't even get 12 boards finished before it needed to be sharpened.

As did one of your other reviewers, I also was not able to fit the 5/16" reducers into the 7/8" pilot bearing needed to cut 1/4" rabbets. I returned the set to the vendor who tried two other kits and experienced the same problem. I would only recommend purchase of this kit after confirming proper fit of all reducers.

The Multi-Rabbeting Bit Set looks like a good idea on paper but it's not. If all you had to keep track of was the bearings it would be ok but the set comes with an assortment of reducer collars to make the bearings fit. These tiny collars are likely to be quickly lost rendering the system useless.

I found this in a local store and was able to check it before ordering. The bearings are now all sized to fit the bit without the reducers and associated parts mentioned by earlier reviewers so it is definitely improved. The package has locations to hold each bearing when not in use and the cut is excellent. I have now made hundreds of cuts at various depths and it still cuts beautifully.

I have used this bit plus bearings many times now. It peforms quite well for its intended purpose.

I read all the review in Amazon.com about this bit and hesitated to order it. I've had good luck with all the Freud blades in the past so I gave it a try despite all the bad reviews. I put the bit to test as soon as it arrived. Everything fit perfectly. Cut was very good and it is all made in Italy. There is nothing written on the bearing as one reader mentioned that it was made in China. I think may be because of the bad reviews Freud might have made improvement. One thing I still don't know it how long it will last. But looking at fit and finish it looks like a good product.