Amana bit sets

[Laserman]

I was looking at what starter bit sets to get with my Stinger CNC.

Amana CNC bits has 2 large case sets. One more of a display set with LED's and another one with just Bits.

I would like to try to work with most common materials so a big box of common used bits looks like a savings to me.

Has anyone purchased these large sets and like what they got?

[The real JP]

I always end up using less than half of most sets.

If you want to cut sheet goods, go with spiral downcuts or mortise compression bits.Both really.
Get a 60 and 90 degree vbit.

Get a few ball nose bits 1/8-1/4. Use the bigger ones for roughing passes.

A few drill bits in 1/4 shaft and whatever sizes you need.

You can do a lot with those few types.

You need a spoil board surfacing bit. The camaster starter kit comes with most of that stuff with the exception of the mortise compression bits.

After those few general types I would wait and see what you really need.

[guitarwes]

To overstate the obvious, what you want to cut determines what bits you need. You are better off buying specific bits than sets of bits.
If I were to put together a starter set for wood/plywood/MDF cutting and carving, it would be:
1/8" 2fl spiral downcut and compression. and maybe have an upspiral on hand.
1/4" 2fl spiral downcut and compression. maybe an upspiral also.
3/8" compression.
1/2" 2fl spiral downcut.
1/4" and 1/2" 60 degree vbit (3 or 4 flutes).
1/4" and 1/2" 90 degree vbit.
1.25 flat mortising bit (Yonico brand- cheap on ebay)
1/16", 1/8", and 1/4" ballnose (mostly if you want to do 3D carvings).

If cutting composites (PVC, plastics, polymetal) and aluminum:
1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8" single flute Oflute upspiral

Most of these can be found very cheap on ebay and Amazon. I use:
carbidetoolsource.com for 1/8" and 1/4" 2fl spirals.
Amazon for 1/8" compression bits. (Holzy is the name?)
eBay, usroutertools.com, and centuriontools.com for Oflute bits and spirals.
Amazon for 60 and 90 deg 1/4 4flute vbits.

Bite the bullet and order multiples of each bit. There's no worse aggravation than snapping a bit and a replacement is 3 days away. You can get away with using the Irwin router bits from Lowes in a pinch.

[Laserman]

Thanks for the info.

I think I'm going to dabble in every material listed in the set. It is definite pricey to get the case but I remolding my shop with my new stinger II and would love to make it cool looking. A place to motivate me.

I did see the cheap bits on amazon and I figured I'm going to break many learning things. So I will get some cheap bits to go with this.

[Jim Becker]

"In general" I've never been a big fan of "general bit sets", even for just hand-held routers. But...I did buy the starter set when I ordered my Stinger II simply because I knew I would want to get started right away with learning and things like spiral bits were not already in my arsenal. Once I identified what I was going to be using the most or what my special needs were, then I started buying more thoughtfully. I do have some Amana specialty cutters and I use Whiteside 1/4" compression bits, but honestly, most of my tooling was purchased via Amazon and EBAY. Some is made in USA and some is globally sourced. And I keep extras of the things I used a lot of which helps me not break bits. They only break when you don't have an extra on-hand usually. :D

[keithrhyde]

I purchased the large set of Amana CNC bits when I first started using my machine. Amana Tool - AMS-139 18-Pc Advanced General Purpose CNC Router Bit Collection, 1/2" Shank. Very pricey and I have used maybe four or five of the 18 bits. I still use the bits in the starter set as well. The only real difference is the 1/2 shank bits are a little quieter.

I am a little wiser now and when I have a project I think about what I need in a bit or bits and buy just what I need. I find that I usually have to buy bits that are longer or smaller. The smaller and over 3/4 inch cutting depth are 1/4 or 1/8 shank. You have to think about what material, depth and amount of detail along with how many bits you need to accomplish the task. The depth of cut was something I didn't account for especially if you want to cut through anything that is more than 3/4 inch. I don't do production work so I have the luxury of waiting for a bit. I wouldn't buy the Amana set today.

[rcrawford]

I would also advise not to buy a set. Just buy tools as you find a need for them.

I prefer using the largest bit possible for a job. Mostly I use 1/2" shanks (or some 3/4" shanks for some of my larger bits). There are times you need 1/8" or 1/4", or the most common 3/8" compression bits. But if I can use a 1/2" I'll use it every time (especially a 1/2" ballnose - that is what I almost always use for any 3D toolpaths, but I'm building furniture and not doing your typical 3D relief carvings).