MLCS Woodworking Tools Review

Woodworking tool suppliers have gotten complicated with all the online retailers and direct-from-China options flying around. As someone who’s ordered from MLCS for over a decade, I learned everything there is to know about what this company does well and where they fall short. Today, I will share it all with you.

What MLCS Actually Is

MLCS started as a catalog company selling router bits. They’ve expanded into a full woodworking supplier, but router bits and routing accessories remain their core strength. If you need a router bit, MLCS probably has it at a reasonable price.

They’re not Festool or Lie-Nielsen. You won’t find premium hand tools or high-end European machinery. What you will find is solid mid-range equipment at prices that won’t make you question your hobby.

Router Bits That Actually Last

MLCS router bits are carbide-tipped and reasonably priced. I’ve burned through bits from various suppliers. MLCS bits fall squarely in the middle — not as good as premium Whiteside or Amana bits, but miles better than the cheap import bits from big box stores.

Their bit selection is enormous. Standard profiles, specialty shapes, raised panel sets, dovetail bits — if a router can cut it, they sell the bit for it. I keep coming back because I can usually find what I need without hunting through three different catalogs.

Router Tables Worth Considering

Their router tables range from basic to full-featured. I bought their mid-level table eight years ago. It’s still flat, the fence adjusts smoothly, and the dust collection actually works.

That’s what makes MLCS endearing to us hobby woodworkers — their stuff works without requiring a second mortgage. The router table isn’t beautiful. It won’t make your shop Instagram-worthy. But it’ll help you cut accurate profiles for decades.

Dovetail Jigs

MLCS sells several dovetail jig options. I haven’t used theirs personally — I went with a Porter-Cable jig years ago and stuck with it. Friends who’ve bought MLCS jigs report they work fine for the price.

Dovetail jigs all do roughly the same thing. The expensive ones have more adjustment options and tighter tolerances. The cheaper ones require more setup fiddling but produce acceptable joints. MLCS jigs fall in the middle.

Project Kits and Plans

Probably should have led with this section, honestly.

MLCS offers project kits with pre-cut materials and instructions. These work great for beginners who want to build something without dealing with lumber selection and rough milling. The plans are clear and the materials are adequate.

I used a couple of their kits when I was starting out. They taught me basic construction without overwhelming me with material choices. Once you understand joinery and assembly, you’ll outgrow the kits quickly.

Educational Resources

Their website has tutorials and technique articles. The content is useful but not groundbreaking. You’ll find better in-depth instruction on YouTube or specialty woodworking sites. MLCS content works for quick reference when you’re figuring out which bit to use.

Customer Support Experience

I’ve called MLCS support maybe five times over the years. They answer quickly and actually know their products. Once I got a router bit with a damaged bearing. They shipped a replacement the same day, no hassle.

Good customer service doesn’t fix every problem, but it makes shopping less stressful. MLCS handles issues professionally without making you jump through hoops.

Quality vs Price Reality

MLCS products are neither premium nor garbage. They occupy the sweet spot where hobby woodworkers live — good enough for serious work, affordable enough to buy without guilt.

A premium Whiteside router bit might last twice as long as an MLCS bit. But it costs three times as much. For my usage patterns, MLCS bits make financial sense. Your math might differ if you’re running production work.

Ordering and Shipping

Their website works fine. I’ve never had trouble finding products or placing orders. Shipping is reasonably fast — usually arrives within a week. They pack well, so bits and accessories arrive undamaged.

No complaints here. The process is straightforward and boring, which is exactly what online ordering should be.

What to Buy From MLCS

Router bits are their strength. Buy those with confidence. Router tables, jigs, and accessories are solid middle-tier options. You can do better if money’s no object, but you’ll pay significantly more for incremental improvements.

I wouldn’t buy their power tools. Stick with established brands for drills, saws, and sanders. But for routing-specific equipment and accessories, MLCS delivers good value.

What to Skip

Their project kits are fine for beginners but limited in scope. Once you can mill your own lumber and understand joinery, you’re better off designing your own projects or following plans from woodworking magazines.

Some of their specialty items feel like catalog filler — stuff they carry because they have the space, not because it’s particularly good. Read reviews before buying anything outside their core router bit and table categories.

Tool Storage Solutions

MLCS carries various shop organization products — toolboxes, bit storage cases, and cabinet accessories. Their router bit storage boxes work particularly well. Carbide bits last longer when stored properly, and these cases protect the edges while keeping bits organized.

I use their wall-mounted bit storage racks. They’re simple plastic racks with slots for individual bits. Nothing fancy, but they keep my most-used bits visible and accessible. Better than digging through drawers.

Accessories and Add-Ons

The router accessories category includes feather boards, starting pins, insert rings, and other small items that make routing safer and more accurate. These accessories are reasonably priced and work as intended.

I’ve bought their feather boards, router table inserts, and dust collection fittings. All performed adequately. None broke or failed. That’s about all you can ask from shop accessories.

Specialty Router Bits

Beyond basic profiles, MLCS carries specialty bits for specific tasks. Lock miter bits, glue joint bits, rail and stile sets for cabinet doors — if you’re doing any production work or building face-frame cabinets, they have what you need.

I bought a rail and stile set from them for a kitchen cabinet project. The bits cut cleanly through maple and produced tight joints. Five years later, those bits still cut well. That’s solid value for the price I paid.

Comparison with Competitors

Rockler and Woodcraft offer similar product ranges. Rockler tends to be more expensive with a nicer shopping experience. Woodcraft carries more hand tools and premium brands. MLCS undercuts both on price while matching quality on their core router products.

For pure router bit selection and pricing, MLCS wins. For browsing and discovering new tools, I prefer visiting Rockler or Woodcraft stores in person. Each supplier has its place in a woodworker’s shopping rotation.

Catalog Shopping Experience

MLCS still sends physical catalogs. I keep the current one in my shop for reference. Sometimes browsing a physical catalog reveals tools or bits I didn’t know existed. The website is more convenient for ordering, but the catalog serves a purpose.

Their catalog descriptions are accurate. What you see is what you get. No misleading photos or inflated performance claims. This honesty builds trust over time.

Sales and Promotions

MLCS runs frequent sales and promotions. Sign up for their email list and you’ll get regular discount codes. I rarely pay full price for anything from them. Wait a few weeks and whatever you need will probably go on sale.

Their clearance section offers good deals on discontinued items. I’ve picked up useful bits and accessories at significant discounts. The items work fine — they just didn’t sell well enough to keep stocking.

The Bottom Line

MLCS works for budget-conscious woodworkers who want reliable equipment without premium prices. I’ve spent thousands with them over the years and never felt ripped off.

They’re not exciting. Nobody brags about their MLCS setup. But when you need a specific router bit at 9 PM and want it delivered by next week without paying boutique prices, MLCS delivers.

That’s enough for me. Your shop probably has room for at least a few MLCS tools, especially if you do any router work. Start with bits. If those work for you, branch out from there.

I keep their catalog in my shop, check their website when I need routing supplies, and recommend them to woodworkers who ask about affordable bit sources. They’ve earned that spot through years of consistent quality and fair pricing. Not the fanciest option, but a reliable one.