Customer Reviews

Freud 75-102 1/4-Inch Double-Flute Up Spiral Router Bit

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Being new to making mortise and tenon joinery, I gave it a shot using this bit. It turned out perfect. I made up a template out of 1/4" plywood, that was precisely oversized to allow for the distance from the outside of the collar to the edge of the bit. Using a plunge router, and the Freud 1/4" diameter flute up spiral bit with the 1/4" shank, I plunged and routed out the mortise in successively deeper plunges. In 3 passes, I had made a perfect 1 1/2" mortise. Even the walls of the mortise gave no clue as to where the first pass was. The fit was snug.
The advantage to having the spiral bit the same size as the shaft, is that you can plunge deeper. Since the shaft is the same size, you can go as deep as the length of the bit allows. On the other hand, if you had a 1/4" bit, with a 1/2" shaft, you could only plunge to the depth of the bit head. So the same rule applies to the 1/2" spiral bit, with the 1/2 shaft, and it gives you an even longer shaft, which enables you to make deeper mortises. Get both. They both remove a lot of material very quickly. The 1/4" enables you to use smaller templates. Of course this bit is ideal for making lock mortises as well. Anything that requires a perfectly flat and smooth bottom and walls. It is easy to control, whereas it doesn't give you the "catch and pull" of a standard bit. The sharp tips and convoluted design contribute to that. Hope this was helpful.

This bit works well with the Jasper Circle Jig's for speaker building projects. Does a nice job of routing recessed mounting surfaces and hole cutouts for woofers, tweeters and port tubes. Had no breakage problems others have wrote of in their reviews! Like the other Freud Router Bits I have a darn nice product! Good clean cuts!

I know there are some hardcore woodworkers out there that say Freud isn't top of the line, that there are better router bits out there, but IMHO, Freud is simply the best. Granted, I personally haven't used the $100 1/4" bits, but I can't imagine they would be that much better. This bit cuts a razor sharp line with zero burrs and thus far has stayed extremely sharp. I use this bit in a CNC router that requires an ultra sharp, ultra precise bit, and the Freud delivers. I've personally routed MDF, acrylic and aluminum with this bit and it still looks like the day I bought it. As both a warning and a "this is how sharp it is story", I once overtightened the bit in the router and was having a tough time getting it out. I thought, boy, I really should wear some gloves or I'm going to end up slicing my finger. Sure enough, I put on my leather work gloves, gave it a tug and what do you know, the bit stayed in place while my gloved hand slid right down it. The bit sliced effortlessly through the leather and into my thumb. Luckily, because of the glove it was only a flesh wound...but be careful, this thing is sharp!

I own several Freud bits and blades they are generally exceptional. This bit broke almost immediately. Think I will try a different manufacturer for this item as half the reviews say it broke quickly.

I bought two 75-102 bits and the first one broke on my second use. It felt like a factory defect because I wasn't even exerting pressure. I have been using the second bit on my LEIGH dovetail jig and it is still as sharp as the first time I used it. I have made more than 20 boxes with them. They are very good bits....

This is the first bad bit I have ever gotten from Freud, generally I consider them among the best. But this one broke after on two uses. The one that it replaced I have been using for at least 3 years and although it still works it is to dull for fine work. I was very disappointed in this bit but since I bought it mail order it cost more to send it back then it was worth. Lesson buy from local shops on things like this.

Why not? Because if you do, you will end up buying more of them! :)
These spiral bits are great for mortising or general plunge or dado/rebate cutting. Produce a cleaner edge than regular staright flute bits and with better debris removal. Usual high quality freud bit!