In the workshop, you won’t probably see any other woodworking tools as versatile as the router. But what makes it versatile is not the router itself; it’s the router bits. With various router bits to choose from, you can let your creativity guide you in creating raised panel doors, decorative inlays, smoothly trimmed edges, and more.

Different Kinds of Router Bits

Here are the most commonly used types of router bit sets and their respective uses:

1. Spiral bits – used to create smooth edges and trim fiber glass as well as plastic laminate.

2. V-grooving bits – used in sign work as well as in lettering.

3. Dovetail bits – used to make sturdy joints for cabinets, shelves, frames and even bookcases.

4. Combination panel bits – used to trim veneer.

5. Straight Single Flute bits – used for straight cuts of dadoes and grooves; also used in rabbeting.

6. Rabbeting bits – used to create step cuts for edges of joints of drawer fronts as well as cabinet doors.

7. Stair routing bits – used to set riser grooves and stairs.

8. Chamfering bits – used to create decorative edges and make cuts of different angles for hidden or concealed joints.

9. Cove bits – used to create decorative edges of concave shape.

10. Straight bits – used for general cutting and inlaying of woodworks.

11. Beading bits used to create decorative edges for different parts of furniture like veneered table tops.

12. Core box bits – used to reed and flute flat surfaces of the material.

13. Veining bits – used by professional woodworkers for decorative cut-in, raised or freehand letters or designs.

14. Ogee bits – used to create decorative furniture edges by making them S-shaped; the most common one is the Roman ogee bits.

Some Tips

Now that you have learned about the mostly commonly used router bits, here are some tips for you to consider when using them:

1. Use sharp router bits instead of dull ones. Sharp router bits create the most out of the edges and grooves of the material, whereas dull bits only cause poor quality and can even damage the woodwork. Also, sharp router bits are much easier to use compared to dull bits.

2. Move the bits moderately. Moving the router and bits too fast along the material would result to reduced motor speed, and may eventually cause overheating if continued for a long time. On the other hand, moving them too slow might burn the wood work, thereby damaging the project. As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect”, so get yourself some scrap wood and practice hard.

3. Stop and assess. Don’t get overexcited with finishing the work. Frequently stop the router and check whether there are areas that are already burned or need to be worked on once more.

4. Begin working on simple woodworking projects. If it is your first time to use a particular router bit, make sure you use it to a simple woodwork first before utilizing it to a big project. You don’t want to waste that expensive wood you just bought, do you?