Whether you own a wood router, a CNC router, a plunge router, or another router with the perfect blade for your needs, the router is extremely important for any woodworker because it’s going to help you accomplish a great deal of different tasks. But, in order to really accomplish everything you’re looking for, you need to be able to find the perfect router bits, such as a Rabbet router bit.
These are available in a range of different sizes and different profiles. You’ll want to take a look at each of these in order to decide which ones are going to work out the best for your next woodworking project. After all, you definitely don’t want to spend a lot of money on bits you can’t use.
Types Of Bits
Straight Bits
The first type of bit you should know about is called a straight bit. It creates a groove or what’s called a dado (which is a groove that is created across the grain instead of with the grain) and it can hollow out different sections of the wood. These come in several different sizes as well so you can always get the right size for your groove or dado. No matter what you’re going to be doing you’ll want at least a few of these lying around ready to go.
Rabbeting Bits
With these, you’re going to have a two piece unit. One is the spinning pilot bearing, which his located at the tip. It creates a shoulder which is generally used for creating a joint between two different pieces. You can generally find them in sets, rather than purchasing them one at a time, which allows you to create more sizes. But it’s actually the bearing that is a different size, and it can then be attached to the same unit overall, so you don’t have to switch out the entire system to get what you need.
Flush-Trim Bits
This particular bit is great for trimming off the edges of a material to create a flat edge. You can do this with veneered surfaces or with anything else you want to cut and meld together.
It’s important to get a good pilot bearing and a cutter that are the same diameter, though you can have a bearing at the top or the bottom of the bit. Either way, you’re going to get a good match between each of the materials so you can get a good corner seal or a match between sides of anything you want.
Chamfer Bits
If you need a beveled edge you’re able to do it with a chamfer bit. It creates a particular angle so that you get a great ease and decoration to the edge of the surface. You get a great beveled edge for joining different constructions. If you have multi-sided construction you definitely will be able to use one of these bits to get what you’re looking for. You’ll be able to choose between a range of different sizes for your bevel bit so you can join different sizes of materials in a unique way.
Edge-Forming Bits
With these bits, you’re going to get a very unique and fun edge that looks very decorative. You can get a range of different styles and sizes to get a specific edge style. You can get beads, rounded edges, S-shaped edges, concave quarter circles and a whole lot more.
The most important thing is to make sure that you get a unique bit that will help you create a great edge and a perfect project based on what you’re really looking for. After all, you really don’t want to just have a boring project with square corners and no decoration, right?
Specialized Bits
There are all different types of specialized bits that you can choose from. Whether you’re looking at router bit shanks of different sizes, different materials for the cutting edge or different types of quality, you’ll find there are plenty of different options out there that you can choose from that definitely will help you get a specific cut or style that you’re looking for.
Just make sure that you look at what your project is going to entail and then start looking for the right bits to help you get the job done as quickly and accurately as you can.
Looking to achieve a certain style? Check out a full review of each routing bit here!
Choosing The Right Bits
You definitely want to look at a number of factors when you’re choosing bits, and one of the most important ones is the material that they are made of. You want bits made with carbide cutters or at least high-speed steel. Anything less and you’re not going to get the quality that you need. Next, make sure that you’re checking out the edge to look for sharpness.
You want a bit that’s definitely going to be sharp enough to get into whatever you want to cut. You also want it to have a somewhat thick profile, which says that it’s going to be durable enough to last a little while at least.Make sure you’re not jumping on the bandwagon of using something super inexpensive either.
While you don’t have to spend a fortune to get good bits, you also want to make sure that you’re not getting anything too cheap as that’s definitely going to reflect something of the quality. Also, make sure that you’re buying bits that you can use first. If you don’t even know when you’re going to use it then this is probably not a good time to purchase that bit. You want to get the pieces you know you’re going to use and start building your collection from there.
You can definitely get a lot of places with different router bits. They’re going to help you turn your projects from basic to something a whole lot more interesting. There’s no reason that you can use your router to go from beginning woodworking enthusiast to experienced woodworker or even professional. It’s all about the equipment you have so that you can get started on the projects that are really going to show off your skills and amaze everyone that you show them off to.