10 Essential Router Bits

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A B A S I C B I T K I T• 1 ⁄4-in. straight bit• 1 ⁄2-in. straight bit• 3 ⁄8-in. spiral-flutedstraight bit• Rabbeting bit with fourbearings• 1 ⁄2-in. dovetail bit• 1 ⁄4-in. roundover bit• 3 ⁄8-in.-radius cove bit• 45° chamfer bit• Three-wing slot cutter• 1 ⁄2-in. flush-trimming bitS e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 2 0 0 6 63COPYRIGHT 2006 by The Taunton Press, Inc. Copying and distribution of this article is not permitted.
Straight bitsG R O O V E S A N D DA D O E SStraight bits do the yeoman’swork in a router-bit kit.Designed for square, uniformcuts such as grooves and dadoes,they also can be usedto clean up edges and to cutmortises, tenons, and rabbets.Straight bits have straight orspiral flutes. Two useful sizesof straight-fluted bits are1⁄4 in. and 1 ⁄2 in. (Choose a1⁄4-in. shank for the 1 ⁄4-in. bit;a 1 ⁄2-in. shank will limit thedepth of cut.) A 3 ⁄8-in.-dia.spiral-fluted up-cutting bit isperfect for chopping mortises.A groove is cut along the long grain of a board,while a dado is cut across the grain. A sharpstraight bit makes quick work of both tasks andgives you grooves and dadoes of uniform size.Generally, grooves are easier to cut on a routertable, but it’s possible to cut them with a handheldrouter. Use a plunge router for stopped grooves. Foraccuracy, you’ll need to employ the router’s edgeguide or secure a straightedge to the workpiece toguide the router.Dadoes often are cut in multiples and on longer,wider stock for case goods, so it makes sense tocut them with a handheld router. For speed andaccuracy, it’s a good idea to use a right-angle jigthat clamps to the workbench and across the stock(see photos, below). Fed properly, the router basewill be pushed by the cutting action against thefence of the jig, ensuring a straight cut.Make the jig out of 3 ⁄4-in.-thick plywood: Screw afence to the base (both about 4 in. wide) at a precise90° angle. Place the router base against thefence, then rout a dado in the base of the jig. Usethat dado to align the jig with layout lines on theworkpiece.Grooves are best cut on the router table.For smooth cuts with little burning, take lightpasses, gradually raising the bit to full height.Right-angle jig ensures straight dadoes.Align the dado in the jig with the layout lineson the workpiece, then clamp the jig in place.Work on this side of thefence. Then the bit’s rotationwill pull the router baseagainst the jig’s fence, ensuringan accurate cut.64 F I N E W o o D W o R K I N gPhotos, this page: Michael Pekovich (bottom two); drawings: christopher R. MillsCOPYRIGHT 2006 by The Taunton Press, Inc. Copying and distribution of this article is not permitted.
Page 1: Ten EssentialRouter BitsThese bits
Page 5 and 6: Rabbeting bitAs the name implies, a
Page 7 and 8: 1⁄4-in. roundover bitA bearing-gu

10 Essential Router Bits

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