I was routing the dovetails last week for another cedar chest. I had just got started and routed just a few pins and the router bit broke right below the bearing.

 

I have only made about three cedar chest with this bit. I was going to call customer service today, but they were closed when I got a chance to make the call. I guess that will be on my list for tomorrow.

 

Have any of you ever had a fairly new router bit just break off. The bad thing is they sell it in a set witt the straight bit and it is 39.99.

 

I'll let you all know what they do about it.

 

You may want to consider getting a little bearing guided straight bit to make a relief cut first before using the dovetail bit.

 

-Ace-

I know Ace, but this is in cedar. It is pretty soft. Not like I was making them in white oak or something really hard. I don't disagree with you, just feel like it should last longer than that.

John, I have never had a router bit break like that. I have even run some router bits through pressure treated lumber on some projects that burnt the edges down completely, but never a complete failure like you had.

 

Lucky that you weren't injured by that projectile.

It can happen. Don't know the maker of the bits, but dovetails are hard. The little narrow neck is the weak point. Ace has a good point. Did you go through any knots? I use dovetail bits alot. It has happened with whiteside bits to me. Not that it is unexpected. The straight bit does help. I hope the company stands behind the bits for you.

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com

Can you say, "shrapnel"?

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

I was standing behind the piece I was routing so the piece that broke off was on the other side of the board. There were no knots in the piece I was working on. They do sometimes end up on the ends, but I usually try to cut it so I don't have any knots in the dovetails.

 

These bits are from Peachtree Woodworking Supply. I bought their jig at one of the Woodworking Shows and the bits came with it.

 

I'll let you all know what they say. Giving them a call this morning.

 

 

Okay I spoke with the CS folks at Peachtree Woodworking Supply about the bit. I was informed that they do not warranty router bits and I must say I can understand that. They have no idea how a bit has been treated. I did tell them this one had been used very little in the big scheme of things. She went away for a bit and told me they don't sell the bits separately and the set is 39.99 but they would sell me the set for half price. So I have a new set coming  and will see how these hold up.

 

They were very nice and did try to work out a good solution.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks

The color looked strange in the bit. Is the blue on it from heat? It broke right below the carbide at the weakest point. 40$ is really inexpensive for a set of bits. I am sure they were not whiteside, but I would try and look at the specs and see if you can buy bits that match from someone else, like whiteside or cmt, I have bits that have cut almost a thousand dovetails and they keep cutting along.

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com

John2..

What Brand?

Larry

Bob that is what I tried to tell them today, that a bit should last longer than to make three chest and cut maybe 150 pins. I am not sure about the heat, the bearing it loose and free so it shouldn't have been under any undo strain. I take it pretty slow cutting them in the cedar to keep it from chipping out since it is so soft. I am using them in a PC 690 router. Along the cutting edge is just where the paint has worn off.

 

I'll look around and see what other bits I can find. These have a 5/8" bearing so it rides inside the jig.

Bob Kloes said:

The color looked strange in the bit. Is the blue on it from heat? It broke right below the carbide at the weakest point. 40$ is really inexpensive for a set of bits. I am sure they were not whiteside, but I would try and look at the specs and see if you can buy bits that match from someone else, like whiteside or cmt, I have bits that have cut almost a thousand dovetails and they keep cutting along.

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com

Larry, they are sold at Peachtree Woodworking Supply.

 

Here is a link to the dovetail jig and bits.

 

http://www.ptreeusa.com/ptree_dovetail_system.htm

 

 

 Larry Jenkins said:

John2..

What Brand?

Larry

John, you can match the bit and then put a bearing and stop collar on. I have done that for some keller bits over the years. Works fine. You might even be able to find a match. Whiteside makes a lot of bits. Good luck and I hope you do well. bob

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com

John

I had a Freud bit throw both wings in less then 2 minutes of operation. It was a 3/4 " dado styled bit and was only taking 3/16" of material off at the time. It certainly is a scary moment.

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Wayne
God Bless our Troops and Protect them.