Carbide Insert Flush Trim Router Bit

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After ordering a very expensive flush cut router bit with carbide inserts from Amazon, I thought it would be interesting to do a comparison here on the show between the carbide insert bit and a traditional, double flute flush trim bit. I hope you enjoy the show.
If you are interested in this router bit (it's expensive) you can find it here. www.amazon.ca/...
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[@Dandelion-32]

Thanks :-) We also need reviews that are not just sales pitches like seen on some other channels.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I'm not going to lie and say that I haven't done collaborations with companies and posted my results on my channel, but I also try to balance it with honest reviews for products that I paid for as well. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts. It's very much appreciated.

[@Hog-g2z]

Good morning 🌅, cuts like butter, very nice bit , I have used these before, and I have a very large shaper/ spindle moulder, that uses the same cutting system, and I have Woodturning tools as well with replacement blades,

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

it is a nice bit. A little overkill for me, but still a nice bit. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@pdwoodwerkz9625]

If I had a production shop where i was making product out of thicker hardwoods for items like bannisters or table legs I would consider this bit. Otherwise, I agree with you….. too great a cost for the return on the investment. A great show and very informative. Thank you for taking the time to show us the pros and cons of this particular bit. Well done!!!!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it. One of the perks of having advertisements on my channel is that I can use some of the money from time to time to purchase stuff like this for testing. If it wasn't for the advertisements, this show would never exist. Thanks for tuning in this week.

[@dennishall9260]

What a HOG! I could hear the difference between the two in the video. Just a little rich for my blood, but an awesome bit all the same! I wonder what it would be like in a handheld router... the world may never know. Just goes to show you that woodworking (much like everything else) is constantly changing. Well Kenny, thanks for the comparison and another great show!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It's definitely a beast of a bit Dennis. I don't think it will ever see a hand held router. Thanks for tuning in this week.

[@williambuckley1185]

This review was interesting to say the least. your end thoughts were what I was thinking while you were using this bit in it's entirety. with having these kinds of bits in a thickness planer, to counteract a normal blade thicknesser you can counteract any probs with it by having a thickness sander as well. I don't like the thought of carbide anything unless you are running a fairly large wood shop business. Great review Kenny and very helpful to those people unsure. Honest reviews are always very helpful.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The thickness sander. A woodworker's dream. Thanks for tuning in William.

[@fossil9440]

Try a spiral flush trim router bit against the 2 flute bit. Less expensive than the carbide insert bit and so far they seem to have less tear out than fluted bits on wild grain. Nice comparison. Thanks.

[@marcelo403polo2]

I love those. Have several already up and downcut. Super clean cut

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I have several upcut spirals and love them. They do an amazing job. Thanks for tuning in.

[@davidevans533]

For your info a similar bit on amazon over here in the uk equates 180 c dollars, great tutorial Kenny all the best from over the pond😊

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

That's a lot of money. Thanks for tuning in David and for the information.

[@glennryzebol4472]

I saw this a while ago and thought it was. wonderfully terrifying lol. I'm happy to see you reviewing it as I've been very curious of it's performance. Instead of this monster I opted for a .5 inch compression fluch trim bit for about 70 dollars and It leaves a nice silky finish BUT it cannot be sharpened. Thanks for the honest and in depth review

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It is definitely intimidating but it does a nice job. Thanks for tuning in Glenn. It's appreciated.

[@Dusty-Builds]

Hi. New to your channel and I like what I see. I was sad to see you've had 13K views and only 300+ thumbs up. I see this on a lot of the channels I watch. Viewers should do more to support videos they watch. Even if it doesn't excite them. If they watch to the end, then it got they're attention. Like more of the videos you watch if nothing else it helps content makers making videos. (Steps off soap box.)

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for your kind words on the show. I have learned over the years that folks don't necessarily want a show like mine. I talk a lot and give a lot of information that will either help the beginner or annoy the experienced but I always try to make it entertaining and informative. I go out of my way to answer every comment in an attempt to create more of a community and an interactive experience rather than something that you just "watch". We live in a fast pace world where people want everything immediately. I've been producing this channel now for over 11 years and there are over 900 episodes of the show on the channel and yet, the channel grows slowly. I refuse to pay services to allow "bots" to subscribe in order to make the channel look more appealing so the subscribers that I have, I have honestly and the interactions and comment section are a great source of information. I've learn not to let the "likes" bother me too much. I'd like to grow the channel to a larger format but I'm happy with the slow growth that it has and I appreciate the folks that take the time to tune in. Thanks for your kind words and for tuning in to the show. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@goinmobile5473]

Thank you for the honesty! Try a compression bit eval next.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I will have to look into that. Thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion.

[@paulketteridge2545]

4 blade edges divide the price by 4, its cheaper

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

That's definitely one way to look at it I guess Paul. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with that.

[@anthonyward1537]

Can also sharpen them, I sharpen mine, 1000 grit sand paper oil, just use your finger and move the bit across the paper to sharpen the entire face at one time, insert last forever this way, after k,move on to 2k paper

[@willwatlington6750]

Good grief that thing is large! I live in Richmond, Virginia, and we recently had new Rockler store open. They sell router bits, their own brand.. Unconditional lifetime guarantee. The ones that I have used so far , have been great quality. They will replace the bits for free should they fail to perform..

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

That would be great to have here where I live. Unfortunately, Rockler doesn't exist in Canada. Thanks for tuning in to the show this week.

[@5309backbeat]

Thanks Ken

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You're very welcome. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@jameswallace26]

Get a chip in standard bit, replace bit. Chip the carbide bit, rotate blade. Wear out standard bit replace bit. Wear out a carbide bit, rotate cutting bits. Looks like 4 times the life. Less than 60 dollars for all new carbide blades that last 4 times longer. That's less then 15 bucks. Seems like no brainer to me. But everyone has their opinion.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You make some good points James. Initial output is high but when compared to the cost of replacing a double flute bit 4 times, it doesn't seem that bad. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts.

[@michaelmarchione3408]

The cost is probably because it has 14 blades that can be turned and it contains more parts. Best is not always better. I know you will agree with that lol. We have all bought best before and have not gained anything for the price. I think it is just human nature to have the urge to try something new lol. We will always do it lol. I liked the test you did. Simple and to the point. Enjoyed, take care!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for tuning in Michael and for chiming in with your thoughts. It's appreciated.

[@scottmorris4914]

thank you for reviewing this bit. I have a questiuon. On the traditional bit, there can be chipout when hitting the end grain,. I wonder if the carbide bit whould have less chipout when you hit the end grain as you run it down the board. You mentioned there may be some issues with the bit, based on the spin down, so I was curious is my vendor carried a name brand like this. I checked, and they do not

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The carbides do a great job on end grain but tear out is inevitable no matter what bit you use. It can be lessened with a carbide bit but I honestly don't believe that it can be completely eliminated. Thanks for tuning in Scott.

[@Richard-be9gp]

As you noted the amount of cut "might" be excessive for your setup. Hardwood plus height and depth, if your doing repetitive operations the insert cutters will be cost effective in the long run. I use large planer type inset bits. Your milage might vary.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Agreed on all point Richard. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts.

[@randysmith3828]

This may seem off topic but the same question goes for router bits. I’ve noticed chatter in my table saw, same saw you have, brand new blade, actually two new blades were chattering. I did not check my alignment yet and I’m sure it is most likely the alignment because my saw blades are not cheap blades ( Ridge Carbide and a Freud 40 tooth combo and general purpose) my cuts have been in 3/4” poplar. My question is how often do you clean your blades and router bits. I have a Freud dado stack that I’m pretty sure needs sharpening because I didn’t clean it, and I used it a lot in plywood. I just started using simple green and it seems to clean the blade really well.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

To be honestly Randy, I have never cleaned my blades unless there is pitch on them from softer woods like pine. I have sent them out for sharpening but never cleaned them. Thanks for tuning in .

[@philberard5649]

Love the idea, as I do have a helical head jointer. One must consider the quality of the green router bit. Not all carbide is created equal. For example the Freud MicroGrain carbide is top of the line and I'm sure there are others out there....but the green bit used for comparison may not be a good example. We don't know anything about it.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You bring up some good points Phil. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in to the conversation.

[@troycogan1030]

As fossil9440 said, would be worth trying a spiral upcut bit, would think it would be better. If you think about it, it’s only a smaller version of the planer blade in a vertical position so why spend the extra coin? Answer is if you chip it, it’s a 3 minute cutter change & keep going where you would need to have a new cutter on stand by along + sharpening costs 🤷🏻‍♂️ 50/50 i suppose. I personally think it would earn its keep in not too long. My question also is that running 110/240volts? Can make a difference too. Thanks again Kenny 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You make some good points here Troy. The router table in this case is running at 120 volts. Thanks for tuning in.

[@rickdog7813]

Read Paul Ketteridge's review. He is 100% correct on what I consider an obvious advantage, however, what you are ALL missing is again an obvious advantage (to me) is that when you have a traditional fluted bit sharpened it reduces the diameter of the bit, hence, no longer trimming "flush". This to me is the biggest advantage.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You make a good point Rick. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts.. It's appreciated.

[@TommyLawhorn-w9d]

The true test for comparison would be trim the same side of the wood so you are cutting the same direction on the grain

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

That too is an option Tommy. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts.

[@Richard-be9gp]

An after thought it might put things into perspective if you noted the cost being $68.00 for the green bit used and $205 for a Festool with only 1 carbide replacement blade and 1 less bearing.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Good point Richard. Thanks for chiming in with that. I don't own any Festool products and have never understood why they are priced the way that they are. One day, I will have to pull the trigger on Festool and see if the quality matches the price.

[@jimpalmer1944]

Kenny, I am drawn to the carbide inserts in any application because of my experience with my helical heads in my planer and jointer. Sso, your video helps me avoid making a mistake and purchasing one. Love the finish I get with my jointer and plainer.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It's a pricey bit that a double flute router bit would do the same job. Thanks for tuning in Jim.

[@howler5000]

For that price I would compare it to a Bits and Bits compression bit.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

That would be an interesting comparison for sure. Thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion.

[@harleywood9588]

Dang that thing looks medieval

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It's an intimidating bit to say the least. Thanks for tuning in Harley.

[@kb6dxn]

The inserts would last for ever.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

For the amount that I use a flush trim, you are 100% correct. Thanks for tuning in.

[@seannalexander]

forbidden screwdriver

[@seannalexander]

also ******* subscribed, that was hilarious. 00:46

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad to have you as a subscriber Sean. Thanks for tuning in this week.

[@DonaldKrech]

They always find a way of making you think must have it. You don't .

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Sometimes, the old way is just as good or better. Thanks for tuning in

[@scott1099]

SPE (see Amz) make a reasonably priced non inserted type flush trim bit

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Thanks for the information Scott and for tuning in to the show.

[@dougprentice1363]

I am ery disappointed with my helicle heads on joiner and planner. This reminds me of the same geometry. They produce such a smooth glass surface when you rub hand with feed direction. Rub perpendicular to the feed direction, wavey scallops.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Wow, this is surprising to hear Doug. I've not had that experience with helical heads. I've always been happy with the results. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@markduggan3451]

I think you'd need to be using it every day for a year to see any justification for buying it.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I agree completely with your statement Mark. Thanks for tuning in to the show.