Chinese tooling

[paulus.v]

I had the same question a few days ago and I've already ordered some of the cheapest Chinese bits on ebay. For the price I think it's worth trying them.

Yesterday I found a Taiwanese manufacturer of woodworking router bits, ARDEN, they have a wide range of tools and they seem to be good quality. There is only one Chinese supplier on ebay and the prices are about a quarter of the European quality bits. Now I'n curious to see how good they are. If anyone's interested I'll post back when I receive and test them.

[Boyan Silyavski]

Hi,

I have been there.
I have used some Chinese tooling before 2 years when i started. At the same time i bought some USA made bits.
The Chinese were crap. Worked but not as good. Broke 3 times more/my machine is flimsy/. Cost just a bit less. Not so sharp, not so polished.

My advice is visit ebay, find Drillman1 shop and at the prices he sells Kyocera bits, forget about Chinese. http://www.ebay.es/itm/3-00mm-1181-C...item58b63b6edf

I have all my set up using mainly Kyocera bits. i doubt that anything better can be found even at similar price. These are strong, super sharp, durable, nicely polished bits.

Yeah, better that Freud, Bosch, CMT, that cost 4-5 times more.

Now i would test other bits only if they are something i need and could not find there. But 3mm, 6mm, V bits and so i buy from there.


Hope that helps.

[Jonathan]

I get the vast majority of my cutters from whichever seller on www.aliexpress.com happens to be the cheapest at the time. Once I did get a lot which were brittle, so not much good, but other than that they've been fine. I mainly get single flute cutters (1.5-8mm) and PCB cutters, but sometimes others. Bear in mind though I rarely cut non-metals.

[Gustave]

Hi Boyan, Are you still using Kyocera Bits, Could you update the shop adress please ?
Gustave

[Boyan Silyavski]

Hi Boyan, Are you still using Kyocera Bits, Could you update the shop adress please ?
Gustave

Sorry, missed that and just saw it today. https://www.ebay.com/str/carbideplus

Now i use some chinese bits as they are not so bad as they used to be. For example Chinese 6mm 2 and 3 flute carbide bits are as good as any.

But the 3mm bits, no one make sharp bits like the Kyocera ones. Especially the 1 flute ones. I use them to cut Dibond and aluminum. The finish is impeccable, without further need to clean the cut

PS. And i find that i much use the pyramid 60 degree V cutter from China. I engrave even steel with it with a perfect result. 90 degrees i use only CMT insert nowadays.
generally i use inserts where possible, longest life , cheapest bit, once you have the booty.