reds_21

OK,,,,i bought a little set of router bits which contained 5 carbide bits. the bits in the set are as follows: 5/16" straight, 3/8" straight, 1/8" rounding, 1/2 dovetail, and 1/2" 90 degree v groove.

could someone please tell me how i can find out when and when not to use each of these bits? i have no clue when to use what......

and help would be appreciated,,,,,,thank you

shawn

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Bob

I am a "newbie" to some extent, but I am going to take a stab at this and let the pros correct me if need be.

The straight bits will be used in making dado and rabbit cuts for the most part. An example would be making a grove in the middle part of a board to insert the end of a shelf.

The dovetail bit would be used in making dovetail joints such as you see in the side of drawers when you pull them out in finer furniture.

The rounding bits are for rounding the outer edges of the wood. They can also be used in a decorative manner by raising and lowering the bit where the bottom of the bit will form additional patterns along the rounded edge.

As far as that 90 degree V groove.... well, like I said, the pros can field that one

Each bit has special and many times multi purposes.. The best thing to do is pop them in the router and experiment. Also I have found myself paying more attention to detail on how furniture around the house was made and put together and then think about what bit or machine was used in the process.

Kind of becomes a challange after awhile.

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Bob

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dustmaster

I would suggest taking a router course. Until you do you will be making a lot of expensive firewood. It's really worth it, just to answer the question you asked. Having said that, I will try to add my help to Bob's. If there is a bearing on the bit, that bearing is meant to guide the piece against the side of a piece. This allows for more free hand type work. If the bearing is at the tip of the straight bit it is generally used with a template of some sort taped to your wood.
The bit with no bearing is meant to be used with some sort of fence or other gadget to help guide your router or the wood if your router is in a table.

Anyone else feel free to clear up any mistakes I may have stated.

Woodnut65

Hi Shawn:
I'll put my 2 bits in and hope it helps. Straight bits are used to rout a dato or rabbit
cuts, and are used to cutslots through materials as needed. With a bushing they can be used to follow a template. Round over bits are used to take the edges off, and
provide a decorated edge. Dove tail bits are usually used with a dovetail jig for
dove tailing drawers project sides etc. The V groove bit at 90 degrees can be used
to cut 45 degree parts that would then form a miter. Those V bits are used in doing
lettering, and decoration as well.

Hope this helps, Woodnut65

Mike

Shawn, stop by your local Rockler store at 421 E. Kemper or visit Woodcraft at 500 Kolb Street in Fairfield.(Now you know why you put your city/state in your profile!) Both of these stores will be happy to demo equipment for you. Ask about classes, some are held in the stores. You will find a wealth of "how to" books and plans, supplies for projects and maybe even a friend or two.

Mike

reible

Mike,

For those of us who do not know where " Hockeytown " is how are we going to help you with information like you gave Shawn?

I think I remember a post with something about red wings?????? So I might have an idea but........

Ed

Mike

Ed, You hit the nail on the head... just like you always do. Telling people I am from Hockeytown is a chat room habit. After all, it's not like we do a lot of bragging on the Tigers or Lions. Motown is no good, even "The Motor City" doesnt inform like it used to. That said, I will edit my profile to read: Hazel Park, MI. (Everybody in the suburbs of Detroit just claims to be from Detroit) Here is a trivia tidbit: Did you know that Canada is south of Detroit? Windsor, Ontario is just across the river.

Mike

reds_21

reible

got it,,,thank you. i got the address and i will stop in this weekend!!

thanks
shawn