Customer Reviews

Freud 99-267 1-3/4" and 1-3/8" Entry & Interior Door Router Bit System 1/2" Shank with TiCo Hi-Density Carbide

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

 

 

I have used this router bit set over the last six months
to create interior doors. The doors are classic six panel
red oak. Over the last six months I've made 7 of these doors.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase of these bits.

These are not the only router bits for creating interior and
exterior doors. MLCS and Katana have router bits for creating
both 1 3/8 interior and 1 3/4 exterior inch thick doors. I
have not had the opportunity to use other vendors bits for
creating rail and style entry/interior doors, so I have no
opinion on them. They might, or might not be less expensive
or not as nice.

The case that these bits come in is nice, and well thought
out, even though it is a bit bulkier than needed. There is
a place in the case to store the instructions.

The instructions that accompany these router bits are
very well done, and at times a bit pedantic and overdone.
They even come with a mini-DVD that shows some of the
typical setup and use of these bits.
The instructions are clearly aimed at someone who is not
an overly qualified engineer, like me. Sitting down
with some paper, pencil, and graph paper are must before
you start creating any door. Then reread the instructions,
create your cut list allowing for proper gaps per the
instructions.

I drive this bit set with a Porter Cable 7518 3.25 HP router
with a benchdog router lift. This router has more than enough
power to push these bits. I suspect a smaller router could easily
spin these bits, but you will need something about this size if
you plan on using the larger raised panel bits. When routing
the rails, I recommend that you have a few feather boards or some
other type of hold down. I use two feather boards on top,
and two on the side; with two on the infeed and two on the
outfeed for the longer rails. When routing all the other
parts of the rails, stiles, and mullions, just the two top
feather boards are all that seems to be needed.

The first two doors came out exceptionally clean and very little
tearout. The third and fourth door showed a small amount of tearout
and one knot caused significant splintering. After dressing them
with some credit-card sized diamond sharpening stones, they
again started performing as nearly as good as new. I suppose I could
reduce the splintering and tearout if I didnt try to feed too much and
only took off an eighth of an inch at of depth at one time. But when
these guys are sharp, and the grain is straight, they make very short
and clean work out of my red oak.

To complete the doors in my house, I will be making four more doors,
and possibly two closet doors. I am very pleased with the performance
of these bits. They have performed as well as expected or better.
I have no reason to not recommend them, unless you already have a
shaper and a reasonable set of shaper knives for interior/exterior doors.

Freud is the only company I know of that makes a cope and stick bit that can be used to make a proper length tenon for passage doors. A big time saver for those not proficient in mortise and tenon joinery and only making a few doors. Make the tenon as long as possible to increase the strength and longevity of the doors.

I bought this set to make my own entry doors. Before I tackled the entry door and side light, I used the bits to make some interior doors to build up some skills. I've just finished making a bathroom and a closet doors. So far, I have to say I am very happy with the set. Reconfiguring it for 1 3/8 was very easy. Removing the top of the rail bit to make longer tenon was also easy. I used a mortise machine, this thing comes very handy for this type of job. I should warn first time users to prepare the woods no less than 1 3/8 (I will add 1/16 for my next interior door.). I used a Freud 3 1/4 HP router, I made the rails in one pass (stub tenon), and the stiles in two passes. Looking forward to making more doors with this set.

Not happy with the durability of the bits. Made the first door just fine, bit broke in half on the second door.
It broke at the joint you take apart to make the extended tendons. Wonderful feature but the joint doesn,t seem strong enough.