Router Bit Buying Guide

That being said, and considering the hundreds of router bits available, a comprehensive article on router bits would have to be a book, not an article. Instead of trying to cover it all, this router bit buying guide covers the most commonly-used types of router bits and offers some information about their use. Please read the information below as a brief introduction to router bit types and uses.

  Router Bit Sizes
Routers are made to accept either 1/2" diameter bit shanks or 1/4" diameter bit shanks. 
1/2" shank diameter routers can also accept 1/4" bits, but not the other way around. 1/4" diameter routers are only compatible with bits that have a 1/4" shank diameter.

Larger router bits require the larger 1/2" diameter shank to reduce stress and vibration during operation. 1/4" diameter shanks are needed for the small cutting heads of smaller router bits. [Back to top]
  Plung Cutting Router Bits
These are designed to enter a workpiece from directly above. Their toothed tips allow them to literally plung into the wood.  Plung cutting router bits can be used for everything from making grooves, decorative work, and joinery applications.

  Here are some descriptions of a few kinds of plug cutting bits in use today.

Straight Cut Bits

This type of plung cutting bit makes straight, dado-like cuts for a variety of uses.

The bits pictured below are four different sizes of straight cut router bits.    

Core Box Bits

Core box router bits are the same idea as straight cut bits, except rounded. Their smooth, rounded cut is most often used for decorative woodwork. 

Vee Bits

These plung cutting bits have a V-shaped tip used for decorative and joinery applications.

Decorative Plung Bits

Our two example bits below can add decorative shapes to the middle of a workpiece.

  
[Back to top]   Profiling Router Bits
Profiling bits are used along the edge of a workpiece and usually include ball bearings that guide the router. Virtually any edge on any woodworking project is a candidate for some profiling router bit work.

Roundover Bits

Roundover router bits are responsible for the popular look of rounded countertop edges and similar profiling.

Cove Bits

A cove router bit is part of what it takes to make dropleaf hinges, like the kinds of hinges often used to make kitchen tables fold-able. 

When not used for fancy joinery, cove bits are used in their fair share of decorative woodworking.

Chamfer Bits

Chamfer router bits put a 45º angle on edges. 

Bullnose Bits

Putting two roundover bits together makes a bullnose edge, a completely rounded edge on both the bottom and top. 

Decorative Profiling Bits

The three different decorative profiling router bits pictured below are examples of the huge variety of router bits in this category. 

[Back to top]   Joinery Router Bits
Some of the most useful router applications are joinery, and joinery router bits are what make it possible.  There are endless ways to join wood together and a specialized router bit for each one. 

Dove Tail Bits 

These bits come in handy when a dovetail machine isn't available. 

Tongue & Groove Bits

A pair of matching router bits that, together, form a very tight joinery shape. 

Stile & Rail Bits

This is another pair of bits like tongue and groove router bits , except that a decorative top is added to the workpiece.

Finger Joint Bits

A complicated-looking set of many-toothed bits that make one of the tightest, strongest holds. 

[Back to top]   Specialty Router Bits
Specialty router bits might be the most diverse group of bit types of all. We describe just two of the most common kinds here. 

Flush Trim Bits

Flush trim router bits are used to square up edges with precision. 

Raised Panel Bits

Raised panels on the front of cabinet doors get their fancy designs from raised panel bits, a very specialized router bit type. 

[Back to top]   Conclusion
When it comes to router bits, if you can imagine a way to use them in your woodworking project, chances are there's a bit on the market to match the use you've come up with. Woodworking communities and tool forums are a great way to learn more about the endless world of router bits. You can even visit eReplacementParts.com's own Repair Forum to ask a question to other tool users or to see what they've already said about their router bits. Also, visit our Router Bits page to shop for the bits that you need. You can filter the bits that the page displays by clicking the search filtering features at the top of the page and benefit from eReplacementParts.com's streamlined ordering and shipping services.   [Back to top] What we're about.