About Router Bits

Webster defines a router bit as "the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool ". The various router cutters or router bits can have almost any shape for cutting and usually rotate on a 1/4" or 1/2" round base or router bit shank. Router bits typically have a base material of steel and have tips made of carbide or an alloy to help improve strength and the router bits retain a sharp cutting edge. Though considered a hand tool, routers and router bits have evolved to be used in conjunction with a table. The router is mounted on the underside of a table with a hole for the router bits to be exposed. The material or project to be worked on is then moved along the surface of the router table against the router bits cutting edge to cut the designated material according to how high the router bit is set away from the table. Many router bits can cut more than one profile, or the impression that is left on the material once the router bit has been applied to it.

The different profiles these router bits make are made by adjusting the depth the router bit is allowed to cut into the material. For example, roundover router bits can be used to round a sharp corner into a semi-circle or they can be used to create a decorative bead in corner molding. In a similar manner, rabbeting router bits can be used to cut the male side of a mortise and tenon joint. Rabbeting router bits used with bearing collars on the shank or tip of the router bits allow for shallow or deep cuts into the wood. By adjusting the depth to a shallow setting a small amount of wood is removed with the router bits, the tenon or tongue that remains fits into the slot or mortise or slot hole that is in the second piece of material.

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