Advanced Wood working with Routing Bits
In every woodworking workshops, there are various must have tools whether using powered-only tools or blending them up and router tools form the core of these tools. It is not uncommon even for advanced woodworkers to lack an idea of the right bits to choose. This often leads to buying too many bits than it is required. Router bits are versatile tools especially in cutting edges, making trims and solving many other woodworking tasks. The woodworking task in hand will greatly determine the kind of bit for job. There are many bits, each specialised to handle different but particular tasks.
Top 5 bits for advanced woodworking
Bits have different kinds of detailing, some for creating notches and others for creating mouldings and cutting slots. The market is flooded with over 100 different types of bits of all shapes and sizes and this can pose a challenge in the process of selecting the bits you require especially if you are looking to expand your collection. Here are five of the best specialised router bits in the market right now:
- Finger joints bits: They are finger-like in appearance and are especially useful in cutting finger like extensions for purposes of forming a surface area that is enough for gluing the splice joints and superior edge joints ending up to form a levelled out surface. They come with a bearing useful in expanding its size on a router table.
- Core box bits: Especially useful in cutting half-round grooves for signs, mill work, columns and fluted mouldings. Nevertheless, they can route decorative grooves in door panels and can also cut out coves when used together with an edge guide. It is available in different diameters ranging from 1/8 to 1 ½ inches.
- Stile and rail bits: These two-in-one bits are useful in the construction of frames and panels. They perform their duties simultaneously cutting a decorative edge while cutting panel slots for frame assembly. Passage doors and cabinet frames are the obvious outcomes of stile and rail bits. Even though they are considered as specialised tools, they can come in handy when working on any other furniture.
- Spiral mortising bits: There are two types of spiral mortising bits-upcut spiral and downcut spiral bits, which do a great job in cutting dadoes in wood. The upcut spiral bits are useful in removing material, making them the best tools for making tenon and mortise joints. On the other hand, the downcut spiral bits are used in holding down materials in handheld routers. When combined, they are essential in preventing chipping.
- Edge forming bits: Instrumental in cutting out decorative edges in woodworking. It is a pilot-bearing type and the most common edge forming bits are the round-over and the ogee bits. They come in the final stages of wood decoration where edges have already been established. They can act as guides for the bits.
All of these bits are specialised for advanced woodworkers looking to create top-of-the-line wood designs in fine craftsmanship. The discoveries you can make while using the different types of bits are endless because each of them bring out unique features and designs. This means that the possibilities in advanced woodwork are limitless.
