Freud 99-240 2-Inch Drawer Lock Bit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Honestly I'd give this 5 stars because of the nice joints it makes, but it loses one for absence of documentation. Normally I would not expect documentation with a router bit but this one is pretty tricky to use and should come with instructions.
First, nowhere in the packaging or on Amazon's site does it tell you that the drawer front MUST be 3/4" and the side can be either 3/4" or 1/2".
Second, it comes with no instructions and the setup is not straightforward. I found good instructions on the web site of a different manufacturer of drawer lock bits.
Third, nowhere is it mentioned that one has to use a sacrificial zero clearance fence when making a drawer lock joint in cabinet grade plywood. I used a spare piece of poplar. My tip: get the height set using one sacrificial fence, then cut a new one for the cleanest joints, because it is crucial to have zero clearance between the top of the bit and the fence. Even 1/16" will result in significant tear-out.
Last, because the setup is so fiddly, I do not recommend you use this bit for just a couple joints. If you are going to do a run of drawers its worth the effort, but not for one or two.

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The Freud 2-Inch Drawer Lock Bit forms a strong joint between the sides and front of a drawer. The drawer fronts are formed horizontally, flat on table surface; the drawer sides are formed vertically against the fence of the table. These bits feature a kickback reducing design for safety and are computer-balanced to insure vibration-free operation at speeds that are a safe margin above the typical 22,000 RPMs of most routers. For use on CNC and other automatic routers as well as hand-held and table-mounted portable routers, this bit cuts all composition materials, plywood, hardwood, and soft wood. The Drawer Lock Router Bit has a 2-inch overall diameter and length, and a 1/2-inch shank diameter. These two bits are covered by Freud's limited lifetime warranty.

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