Individual Bits vs. Bit Sets A hotly contested topic...there have been many discussions extolling the virtues of both options. On the individual bit side, the arguments are: buy the bit you need, when you need it...and buy the best don't spend a lot of money on bits you may never use On the bit set side, the arguments are: lower price (per bit) more bits on hand...save a trip to the store I bought this bit set in the after-christmas sale for $160 - $2.42 per bit. So far, I have used 9 bits. Purchased separately from MLCS, these 9 bits would have been $111. The anti-bit-set crowd would say that I wasted $49 that I didn't need to spend. The way I look at it...I spent $49 on the remaining 57 bits ($0.85/bit). Will I use every bit in the set? Probably not. But if I use 4 more bits...I'm ahead of the game - and basically got 53 bits for free (the bits in the set have an average price of $14/bit when purchased separately). If I use none of those 53 bits, I break even. Each one do I use is gravy...the economics of this are hard to argue against.

As to the quality - MLCS bits have been reviewed in several magazines and the results have been good. Are they the highest quality bits you can buy? No...at least not according to independent reviews. However, they performed better than many brands, and most mid- to low-priced bits. As a weekend/amateur woodworker, the argument of buying the best bit is hard to swallow. For many projects, a bit will only see 5-30 feet of wood. I have to complete a lot of projects before the difference between an MLCS bit and a top-of-the-line bit will be apparent. As a beginner, I don't know what bits I will use most frequently during my woodworking career. When one of these bits wear out - I may very well replace it with a top-of-the-line bit, since now I've used it enough to know that the added longevity of the more expensive bit will pay off.


The Review

The set comes in a handy case. My case has each bit is labeled for easy identification. The new sets (pictured above) have the bits oriented differently (for hanging on a wall)...I don't know if the new cases are labeled or not. Each bit comes coated in plastic and covered in a thin coating of moisture-shielding lubricant. The bits fit snugly into their assigned spots...so you can move the case around without concern of damaging the bits.

I've used the following bits from the set: straight (1/4", 1/2"), round-nose (1/4"), flush-trim (1/2"), round-over (1/8", 1/4", 1/2"), edge-beading (1/4") and cove (5/16"). The carbide edges are clean, with no noticable burrs or chips. Each of them have performed well on the various woods I have used them on: tulipwood, oak, cherry, walnut and various grades of plywood. The 3 bits I've used the most are the edge-beading bit and 1/8" & 1/2" round-overs. The edge-beading bit has been used on 40 feet of walnut. The cuts at the end of the run were as smooth as the beginning. The round-over bits have been used on 58 and 42 feet of oak (respectively)...and have performed equally well.

On price and performance alone, I would buy this set again without hesitation...and recommend it to any amateur/part-time woodworker. But the real benefit, for me, has been the freedom of design choices I now have available since I don't have to run to the store (and plunk down $15) every time I want to try a new profile.

Details

The list of bits is on the MLCS website...but they didn't list the price of the individual bits - if purchased separately from MLCS. Out of curiosity I listed all the bits and their prices to find out how it adds up:

Qty	Description	Price
8	Straight (1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 5/8:, 3/4", 1")	$8, 8, 8, 13, 10, 11, 12, 13
5	Dovetail (7.5º-1/4", 9º-3/8",14º-1/2", 5/8", 3/4)	$6.50, 8, 7.50, 11, 10
3	Core Box (1/4", 3/8", 1/2")	$10, 11, 13
3	Round Nose (1/4", 3/8", 1/2")	$10*, 13, 14
2	Flush Trim (3/8", 1/2")	$9, 9
3	Hinge Mortising (1/2", 5/8", 3/4")	$10, 11*, 12
1	Panel Pilot (3/8")	$8*
1	Bevel Trim (25º)	$18*
1	Bevel (30º)	$18*
3	V-Groove (3/8", 1/2", 5/8")	$10*, 11, 16
6	Round Over (1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2")	$13, 13, 15, 15, 15.5, 17
2	Roman Ogee (1/4", 5/32")	$21, 19
6	Cove (1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2")	$12, 12*, 13, 14*, 15, 16
1	Groove Forming Classical (3/4")	$16*
1	Double Cove & Bead	$30
1	Point Cutting Round Over (1/2")	$22*
1	Ogee Filet (1-3/8")	$25
1	Flat Bottom Round Over (1/4" r)	$17
1	Cove and Bead (5/16" r)	$15
2	Edge Beading (1/4", 3/8")	$15*, 15*
1	Multi Bead/Reed Bit (1/8" r)	$38*
1	Dish Cutter (1")	$20*
1	Keyhole (3/8")	$9
1	Classical Bit (3/16" r)	$25
1	Double Round Over (5/32" r)	$27*
1	Flat Bottom Sign Lettering (5/8" 60º)	$18*
1	Cove Sign Lettering (5/8" 60º)	$18*
2	Slot Cutter (1/4", 3/8")	$17*, 20
1	Rabbeting (3/8")	$15
4	Chamfer (30º, 22.5º, 15º, 45º)	$23, 22, 21, 16*
		---------------------
		$985
		($14.92/bit)