How to Choose the Right Router Bit

Router bits are available for all kinds of projects. Determine which bits are best suited to your needs.

Things You'll Need

• Beading Bits
• Beading Plunge Bits
• Classic Bits
• Classic Paneling Bits
• Classic Plunge Bits
• Double Classic Bits
• Dovetail Bits
• Drawer Pull Bits
• Laminate Trimmer Bits
• Molding Bits
• Ogee Bits
• Ogee Plunge Bits
• Piloted Classic Bits
• Rabbet Bits
• Round-over Bits
• Routers
• Straight Bits
• Straight Plunge Bits
• Veining Bits

Instructions

1. Make simple, finished edges on furniture and wood molding with a round-over bit.

2. Create fancier corners with an ogee, beading, molding or any of the classic bits.

3. Use a rabbet bit to make step cuts for drawers and a drawer pull bit for making drawer handles.

4. Put a clean finished edge on laminates with a laminate trimmer. This bit has a ball-bearing pilot to prevent scorching.

5. Get a plunge bit (ogee, beading, classic, straight) for work that begins away from the edges of the piece.

6. Try a dovetail or straight bit for joints. The dovetail makes a wedge-shaped groove that looks nice on exposed corners. The straight bit leaves a square, flat-bottom groove.

7. Cut lettering and pattern or freehand decorations with a veining bit, which leaves a round-bottom groove.

Tips & Warnings

• Steel router bits need to be sharpened more often than carbide bits, but carbide bits are more expensive.

• Some bits come with a ball bearing or a solid pilot that helps guide the router along the edge of the work.