Yonico Router Bits: Are They Good?

Never heard of them, a Freud man.

-- Knowledge and experience equals Wisdom, Michael Frankowski

I love Freud for table saw blades, but I can purchase one blade and use it for most tasks, whereas I need at least 5 router bits. Buying multiples of Freud products is pretty cost prohibitive, which is why I’m limited to about 15 a bit for the router.

I have a few Yonico bits that I’ve used for awhile. They have worked pretty well for me. YMMV

-- Mistakes are what pave the road to perfection

I love Freud for table saw blades, but I can but one blade and be done, whereas I need at least 5 router bits.

- LoyalAppleGeek

First use spell check, 2nd on TS blade 1 can be useful, but router bits have different profiles, so 1 is not enough. So what are you saying?

-- Knowledge and experience equals Wisdom, Michael Frankowski

Cheap router bits are like playing with fire. I prefer top shelf bits most of the time…mainly Whiteside, Infinity, and Eagle America (made by Whiteside). For the times when lower cost bits make sense, I’d go with MLCS bits ….free shipping, family owned, well proven, good value.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

I’ve used their smaller spiral bits on my CNC, and they worked very well.
I probably have over $1500 in router bits, and I woudn’t hesitate to buy Yonico bits. Especially if it’s for something you won’t use often.

-- Gerry, http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/index.html http://www.jointcam.com

I have a ‘large’ Yonico lock miter bit. Quality of the brazing looks fine and it works as advertised so far. Only indication of a ‘fault’ (though very minor) is a slight vibration, probably not much attention paid to balancing.

I’m a Whiteside bit guy so I’ll keep to the high end with bits I use a lot. I won’t hesitate to save a few 10’s of percent on the bigger, less used bits by going to alternative brands. Yonico isn’t on my no-fly-list yet!

Whiteside

I bought a whole set of them last year and used a bunch of them for different moulding profiles. The only bit that I had an issue with was a 1/4” straight plywood bit that snapped. All the others work well and cut smooth.

Thank you everyone! These answers have been really helpful, I’ve heard of 2 out of 3 of those brands, but never looked into them due to trying to keep prices low. I’ll chose family owned hands down if it’s a good product.

I own a half dozen Yonico bits and also a half dozen Whiteside. I would say that both perform equally well in a home shop.

I usually buy amana or whiteside. HOWEVER—-I needed a t-slot and the amana/whiteside were very expensive—(I needed to make a 10” t-slot) I wasn’t sure how much I would even use it- my purpose for buying it was for a very small job. I decided to get a yonico and it was very good. It was perfectly balanced, and I had no issues with using it.

I still buy amana or whiteside- but I would not hesitate if in the same situation- or if I couldn’t find the others, to buy another yonico. I dont know how they would hold up to daily use- but my suspicion is that they would do just fine. They seem to be very good quality and the carbide quality seems to be good. I will know more when its time to sharpen.

I can tell you that certain brands from big home stores are not good. I’ve had them out of balance, or very poor cuts-. That is why I buy the brands I do. Thanks

I’ve had no issues with the Yonico bits I have.

I will offer some advice I received from a woodcarver I met in Germany a couple of months ago. “You buy the best tool you can, it lasts you a lifetime, or you buy a cheap tool, you buy it several more times.”

I got the Yonico 70-piece set as a gift last year, the bits perform well and seem to hold their edges well. I haven’t noticed any vibration issues.

-- Woodworking from an engineer's perspective