Router Bits

Let’s be real: Your router’s been sitting in the corner like a gym membership you swore you’d use. Why? Because router bits are confusing as heck. You’ve got 50 shades of carbide, shapes that look like medieval torture devices, and prices ranging “meh” to “mortgage payment.” But here’s the kicker: The right router bit can turn your router from a dust collector into the MVP of your workshop. This isn’t a boring spec list—it’s a backstage pass to making your woodwork look like it was crafted by a zen master. Let’s roll.

The Router Bit Dilemma: Why Your Projects Look Like a Pinterest Fail

You bought a router. You followed the YouTube tutorials. Yet your edges are jagged, your joints wobble like Jell-O, and your “custom” sign looks like it was carved with a butter knife. The problem? You’re using the wrong bits—or treating them like disposable lighters. Router bits aren’t just accessories; they’re the DNA of your design. Let’s fix this mess.

Router Bits 2.0: Skip the BS, Grab These 4

Forget the 20-bit kits collecting dust. Here’s what you actually need:

1. The “No More Wobbly Edges” Bit: Flush Trim

• What It Fixes: Ragged veneer, uneven patterns, DIY disasters.
• Pro Move: Use a top-bearing bit to follow templates like a GPS.
• Hero Bit: Whiteside 6110 – Glides through oak like it’s butter.

2. The “I Need a Joint That Won’t Collapse” Bit: Dovetail

• What It Fixes: Loose drawers, shaky boxes, your rep as a woodworker.
• Pro Move: Pair with a jig for joints tighter than a hipster’s jeans.
• Hero Bit: Freud 99-070 – Carbide teeth that laugh at plywood.

3. The “Make Basic Wood Look Baller” Bit: Roman Ogee

• What It Fixes: Boring edges, flat moldings, sad shelf profiles.
• Pro Move: Swap bearings to tweak the profile depth.
• Hero Bit: Amana 45477 – Adds “handcrafted” flair in one pass.

4. The “Rescue My Crappy Cuts” Bit: Pattern

• What It Fixes: Botched curves, uneven inlays, 3D carving fails.
• Pro Move: Duplicate perfect shapes using MDF templates.
• Hero Bit: MLCS 8409 – Budget-friendly and shockingly precise.

The Router Bit Blacklist: 3 Types to Avoid Like a Parking Ticket

1. Bargain Bin Bits: The $5 special that dulls faster than a TikTok trend.
2. Combo Kits: 90% of those profiles? You’ll never use ’em.
3. HSS Bits for Hardwoods: Unless you enjoy smoke breaks and regret.

The Lazy Woodworker’s Buying Guide (No PhD Required)

1. Carbide vs. HSS: The Quick Fix

• Carbide: For hardwoods, frequent use, or if you hate sharpening.
• HSS: For softwoods, occasional projects, or tight budgets.

Verdict: Splurge on carbide for your go-to bits; HSS for oddball sizes.

2. Shank Size: ¼” vs. ½”

• ¼”: Great for trim routers and detail work.
• ½”: Mandatory for big bits (think raised panel doors).

Golden Rule: Match the shank to your router’s collet. Mixing sizes = instant vibration city.

3. The “Spin Test” for Cheap Bits

• Step 1: Roll the bit on a flat surface.
• Step 2: If it wobbles like a washing machine on spin cycle, return it.

4. Brands That Won’t Ghost You

• Cheap Thrills: Yonico (surprisingly decent for the price).
• Mid-Tier Magic: Freud (where value meets quality).
• The GOAT: Whiteside (if your bits need a trust fund).

Router Bit Hacks That’ll Make You Feel Like a Genius

1. Freeze Dull Bits: Toss carbide bits in the freezer overnight. The metal contracts, buying you 2-3 more sharpens.
2. WD-40 + Wax = Smoke-Free Cuts: Spray the bit before routing MDF. Thank me later.
3. Sharpie Depth Marks: No more guessing—label plunge depths right on the bit.
4. DIY Bit Storage: Nail a pegboard to your shop wall. Bits visible, accessible, and Instagram-ready.

3 Projects That’ll Make Your Neighbors Jealous

1. Floating Nightstands

   • Bits: Flush trim (clean edges), round-over (soft corners).
   • Pro Tip: Use walnut veneer plywood—cheap but looks $$$.

2. Live-Edge Mirror Frame

   • Bits: Pattern (follow the bark edge), cove (add shadow lines).
   • Pro Tip: Rub beeswax on the live edge to make it pop.

3. Hidden Compartment Shelf

   • Bits: Dovetail (secret joints), straight (grooves for sliding panels).
   • Pro Tip: Use rare earth magnets to keep the compartment shut.

Safety: Don’t End Up as a “Hold My Beer” Story

• RPM Limits: Big bits (over 2”) need slower speeds. Check your router’s manual.
• Climb-Cutting: Just don’t. Feed against the rotation unless you want a trip to the ER.
• Dust Mask + Ear Protection: Routers are louder than your uncle’s political rants.

Maintenance: Keep Your Bits From Retiring to the Junk Drawer

1. Clean with Simple Green: Soak gunked-up bits overnight; scrub with a brass brush.
2. Sharpen or Toss: Dull bits burn wood. Carbide? Send to a pro. HSS? Learn to sharpen.
3. Store Like a Pro: Foam inserts > tossing them in a coffee can.