Router bits are considered vital tools which any person with interest in woodworking must have. Meanwhile, choosing router bits can be somehow a tough task given that they come in different shapes and sizes and are also meant for entirely different woodworking intentions. Because of that, persons who are new to woodworking may not have an idea on the right router bit to go for depending on the nature of the woodwork at hand. Regarding the types of profiles you wish to get from a given woodwork session, you must have an idea on the type of router bit that can enable you to achieve your work objectives. The following is a description of the most common types of router bits you can encounter in woodworking environment, their dimensions and the kind of tasks you can accomplish with them.
45-Degree Chamfer Router Bit
Source: overstock.com
This type of router bit can cut a 45-degrees profile, chamfer, on the edge of a wood panel or board. The router bit is mostly used to remove sharp corners or squares from picture frames, shelves, countertops or vertical posts. The bit can also be used to create V-shaped grooves on boards, and such profiles can be created when two chamfer edges meet. Chamfer Router Bits are available in different sizes, and there are some that are made to specifically work for certain angles. 1-1/4 inch chamfer router bit is preferable since it is easily available and can offer convenience given that it covers common woodworking procedures.
Rabbeting Router Bit
Source: lowes.ca
A rabbet refers to an L-shaped profile cut along the edge of a wood board or panel. The L-shaped profile can accept another wooden panel of proportionate size thereby forming a rabbet joint. Many home woodworking procedures such as cabinet making and building drawers rely heavily on rabbet profiles. Most rabbet profiles cut are a 1/2 inch deep and 3/8 inch wide, and it will be incredibly a wise decision of you pick rabbet router bits having such dimensions for convenience.
Cove Router Bits
Source: mlcswoodworking.com
This router bit is useful when making decorative edges on a piece of woodwork. Instead of having a round edge, cove router bits can give a concave radius cut on a wood piece edge. The outcome is often a simple decorative edge that can boost the looks of furniture legs, bookshelves and cabinet doors. Cove router bits are available in different radius profiles they cut with dimensions ranging from 1/16 inch to 1-inch radius. If you are fond of doing woodwork procedures all by yourself, 3/8 inch or ¼ inch cove router bit can nicely get along since most woodworking procedures that require radius edging are mostly confined to those dimensions.
Rounding Over Router Bits
Source: popularmechanics.com
These router bits are fitted with ball bearing mechanism that controls that width that can be cut from a wood profile. You can adjust the depth of cut by simply controlling the router base. Rounding over router bits are available in different sizes with the most useful ones being the ones having a ¼ inch and 3/8 inch dimension specifications. These router bits can be of immense help in getting round-edging profiles on tabletops, shelves, chair arms and any other wood section where a round-edge profile can be needed.
Straight-Cutting Router Bits
Source: amazon.ca
These router bits are used to cut straight and square-bottomed profiles. They are available in different diameters, but the most convenient sizes are a 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch router bits. These router bits can be used to cut rabbet profiles, dadoes and even grooves used in plywood drawer backs and bottoms. Straight-cutting router bits have a pilot that are used to guide the bits and keep them in the right place. For the bits that come without the pilots, it is upon the users to ensure that the bits can give straight and accurate cutting profiles.
Roman Ogee Router Bits
Source: amazon.ca
These router bits can give classical decorative edging S-profiles on tabletops, vertical stiles, picture frames and horizontal rails. Roman ogee router bits have a ball-bearing pilot that are placed to the end of the bits and are responsible for guiding the depth of cut. These bits are mostly available in ¼ inch, 5/32 inch and 3/8 inch radius dimensions. For convenience in many woodworking tasks, ¼ Roman Ogee router bits can be of immense help.
Flush Trimming Router Bits
Source: yonicotools.com
Flush-trim bits come in handy especially for wood veneer or plastic laminates. These router bits are straight-cutting and have a ball-bearing pilot mechanisms that allow for overhanging surfaces to be flushed offed with a substrate. You can use the bits when working on plastic laminated countertops, tabletops, cabinet doors and work perfectly when flush trimming wood veneer. Flush-Trimming bits are available in many sizes but ones having 1/2 inch diameter and 1-inch cutting depth are of most help.