Customer Reviews

Freud 97-102 3-Piece Cabinet Bit Set with 99-518 and 99-260 Rail and Style Bits

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I found the Freud 97-102 an excellent product. However,I found to get the maximum profile(1-1/4")and keep the panel & rails flush in the front,I had to use 3/4" stock for the panel, and at least 13/16" stock for the rails/stiles.(The panel cutter has a 5/8" depth of cut) A better choise is the Freud 97-100 set. It has the same rail/stile bits, but the panel bit included can take as little as 3/8" depth of cut and still get the full profile! This means you can use thinner stock if needed,and end up with a much better proportioned door.

After try the the 3-piece cabinet set, I was please with the outcome of the raised door panels that was for a china cabinet that I just built. I did not burn the wood that some other bits would have done and in turn gave me a nice result. People have complimented me on my cabinet work and I probably would have not done without this product. I own several Freud products and I recommend them to any woodworking enthusiast.

For those reading the review of the 99-218 panel raiser, try using a 1/8" backcut on your panel and your alignment problems dissapear.

The 5 piece set is what I initially bought. It includes the glue up joint bit, which is nice for gettting a lot of panels to line up properly while gluing. It also includes the door lock bit, which will turn your raised panel, into a drawer front by removing the material around the edge of the back of the door face.
I bought this set as well. Why? Because when making kitchen cabinets, the raised panel bit that they provide with the 5 piece set is too small for a large cabinet. (Unless you prefer that look) So I bought this set, to pick up the 3 1/2" panel raising bit. That requires a large opening of at least 3 5/8" on the bottom of your router, and the opening on your router table as well. The Bosch 1619EVS is even larger than that. The Fein RT-1800 allows for the the use of a 3 1/2" bit, but the casting prevents you from plunging a bit that size. Not really recommended, because you might accidently adjust it into the base. Their are others also, but most fixed base 2 HP routers won't accept such a large bit. So measure first.
Overall this is a great set of bits. They do a great job, and last a long time. Highly recommended.