You are in the aisle with the router bit in your hand. The price is printed on label. The manufacturer’s name reads “Irwin.” The cost is above entry level, but below premium prices.
Could be a trap, right? That is what some woodworker think. They do not wish to pay more for something, yet they desire quality.
The choice of bit matter more than the brand of the router itself. Your router bit makes the joint, it creates the profile, and it determines how finished your project look. Using a dull bit destroy the surface of the wood.
It leaves burn marks and tear out in the wood grain. You will spend hours trying to sand that mess off. Bits are far more critical than the router itself.
Get a great router but use crappy bits and you won’t get great results. The company has existed for a long time. Irwin Tools is not a new company.
Known for its clamp lines and measuring tools, they also offer cutting tools that people tend to forget about. Does Irwin make good router bits? Are their edges sharp enough?
What kind of steel do they use? Is it worth the price? We answer those questions and more in this review.
Reviewing Irwin Router Bits Quality and Value
Why Router Bits Matter More Than the Router
You must know your steel. The first thing to know about a pro line is the steel they are made from. Most have carbide tip on them.
Carbide outlasts high speed steel in keeping its edge. And it also performs better on hard woods too. The body of the bit is usually made of a metal called chrome-molybdenum steel.
Understanding Irwin Tool Steel and Build Quality
This type of steel resist bending under pressure. So when the bit is used to cut heavy wood, it doesn’t bend the bit out of shape. The build quality is solid overall.
This isn’t the sexiest of alloys. But it works well enough. They don’t fly off with everyday use.
The tips are brazed on well. Balance are fine. When you have a sharp bit, there’s little vibration.
Less vibration mean smoother cuts with less tear-out. So what about durability? How long do they keep their edge?
Durability and Cost Per Cut Analysis
The longer a bit holds its edge, the more cuts you get from it and therefore the lower cost per cut. Even if you pay a few dollars more at first, that’s okay. A bit that lasts ten times longer is cheaper per cut and will save you money in the end.
How does Irwin perform in this regard? Reasonably well. Are there more expensive brands that might last longer (Forrest, Auriou)?
Perhaps. Maybe. Probably.
But Irwin is competitive. You can use them for several projects before needing to sharpen or replace them. You can use them for several projects before needing to sharpen or replace them.
How about sharpening? Most Irwin bits can’t be sharpened in the field. You send it out and have someone else do it, or get a new one.
Same with most all carbide bits these days. It’s easy enough to replace. Shipping costs aren’t that much, either.
Just keep track of your frequency. If you sharpen it too much, it becomes less useful. Irwin really stands out on the price side of things.
Compared to the high-end brands, they’re significantly cheaper. Get a whole set of bits and outfit your new router for under three premium bits. For starters, this is great.
Price Comparison and Value Proposition
It makes sense for those who cut softwood in shops and need a bit that can handle extra wood waste. But you’re trading something. On really hard woods, the finish won’t be quite as nice.
You’ll get some tear out on harder woods like Cherry and figured Maple. It is fine for painting projects. If it’s fine furniture that’s important to you, maybe not so much.
Maybe you have to sand longer. And that time? Yeah, that also costs money.
Are Irwin router bits good? The answer is yes. Yes, they are good at the price.
Yes, they are good for getting you up and running with routers. Yes, they are good for production when time is short. And no, they aren’t the right choice if you’re making museum quality pieces of furniture.
For that, you pay more. But for most jobs in the shop, they’ll do what you need them to do. They cut cleanly and they don’t wear out before their time’s up.
They also cost less. That’s a tough combo to beat. What do you build most?
Cabinets, shelving, general repairs? Then Irwin is a good investment. Want to make an heirloom table?
Save the fancy pieces for that. For everything else, use the Irwin. The beauty of this mixed strategy is that you’re getting the best of both worlds.
Quality when it matters, and value otherwise. The choice of bit matters more than the brand of the router itself. Select accordingly.
Cheaper isn’t necessarily worse. Expensive doesn’t always equal best. Specs matter.
What do you need? There’s a big hole in the market that Irwin fills. It’s a solid workhorse.
Use it as such and it’ll be good to you for many years to come. Your wallet and your wood will both thank you.