The final main element of a router bit is the bearing guide that normally features at the base or tip of a bit but can sometimes appear at the top. The purpose of the bearing is to allow you to easily guide your router bit along a piece of work so that your (normally) shaping or detailing work is kept straight and accurate.
What is a guide bearing on a router bit?
A guide bearing will limit the cutting depth, depending on its diameter. The smaller the guide bearing’s diameter, the further into material the router bit can cut. A larger diameter guide bearing will keep the cutting edges further out of the material, creating a shallower cut.
How does the diameter of a router bit affect the cut?
The smaller the guide bearing’s diameter, the further into material the router bit can cut. A larger diameter guide bearing will keep the cutting edges further out of the material, creating a shallower cut. The more a router bit is sharpened, or honed, the smaller the cutting edges will become.
What is a rabbeting router bit?
Rabbeting router bits are guided by a spinning pilot bearing at the tip, these bits are designed specifically to cut a rabbet (shoulder) in the edge of a workpiece often used to join pieces. They can be purchased in a set that includes bearings of different diameters, allowing a single bit to produce rabbets of different sizes.
What is an edge router bit used for?
Edge Forming Bits Edge forming router bits are most often used to cut decorative edges. For example, Round-Over bits cut a rounded edge of a particular radius (such as 1/8" or 1/4"); Ogee bits cut variations of an S-shaped profile; Edge-beading bits cut a quarter- or half-circle profile (called a bead); Cove bits cut a concave quarter-circle.
What is the bearing on the tip of a router bit called?
guide bearingA guide bearing will limit the cutting depth, depending on its diameter. The smaller the guide bearing's diameter, the further into material the router bit can cut. A larger diameter guide bearing will keep the cutting edges further out of the material, creating a shallower cut.
What is the purpose of a router bushing?
Their uses include cutting dovetails with a jig, lettering, inlay work, even reproducing furniture parts. Here are the basic concepts. Guide bushings may be the most misunderstood of all router accessories. Their uses include cutting dovetails with a jig, lettering, inlay work, even reproducing furniture parts.
Can you take the bearing off a router bit?
With proper technique, removing bearings from router bits can be a safe and straight-forward procedure. Removing shaft-mounted bearingsfrom a bit is easiest – simply loosen a set screw in the locking collar and slide off the collar followed by the bearing.
What's the difference between Upcut and Downcut bits?
The difference between an upcut and downcut tool is simply the direction of the flutes. A flute is the groove that wraps around the tool where the chips are released from the cutting edge. This is an important concept to understand when it comes to tool choice.
How do you center a router bit?
0:547:04How To Center A Router Base - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom there install the base making sure that the cone is well below the base of the router to startMoreFrom there install the base making sure that the cone is well below the base of the router to start next loosen the screws on the base plate. And then lower the base plate slowly. Into the cone.
Should you lubricate router bits?
0:141:06Lubricating Router Bit Bearings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's often overlooked people forget to lubricate their bearings and they cease and cause burning onMoreIt's often overlooked people forget to lubricate their bearings and they cease and cause burning on the edge of your project. If you keep your your bearing properly oiled. This won't happen.
How do I lubricate my router bit bearings?
0:080:41How do you oil router bit bearings? (Quick Woodworking Tip) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOil then drop the bearing inside and let it sit overnight after wiping it off and replacing it onMoreOil then drop the bearing inside and let it sit overnight after wiping it off and replacing it on the road a bit I suggest letting the bits spin in the router. For just a few seconds.
How do I clean the bearings on a router?
0:411:31How to Clean a Router Bit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith use an abrasive scrub pad or a brush with brass bristles if the bit has a bearing on it removeMoreWith use an abrasive scrub pad or a brush with brass bristles if the bit has a bearing on it remove that. First any dish soap will work for this a little scrubbing and rinsing and it shines like new.
How do you use a router inlay bushing?
0:2310:17Perfect Inlays Using A Router - Woodworking How-to - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlong the template okay kind of cutting. Out exactly where you need it correct. And then you justMoreAlong the template okay kind of cutting. Out exactly where you need it correct. And then you just fill in everywhere that it doesn't reach correct so we'll actually just trace the outside.
How do you use the router guide bushing kit?
0:001:03Rockler Router Guide Bushing Kit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe bit must be centered in the bushing. So the kit also has a pair of centering bits. With theMoreThe bit must be centered in the bushing. So the kit also has a pair of centering bits. With the plastic baseplate loose lower the router. So that the bushing centers on the bit then tighten the plate.
How do I use router bushing templates?
5:277:52How to Use Router Guide Bushings - Ask Matt #18 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere is there to make a base for the router. The inside one is cut in half and slid apart from eachMoreThere is there to make a base for the router. The inside one is cut in half and slid apart from each other to create a window that the guide bushing will fit down into.
How does a guide bush work?
The guide bush is essentially a circular flange, usually between 10mm and 40mm outside diameter, which fixes to the router base and acts rather like a small ring fence. The cutter plunges through the middle of the bush and the outside edge of the ring runs against the jig or template, to position the cut.
What router bit bearing do I need?
If you are looking to replace the bearing on your router bits, please refer to the chart below to ensure you order the correct bearing for your router bit.
Common Questions
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What are router bits?
Straight router bits are a workshop staple, these bits make cuts straight into a material to form a groove or dado (a groove across the wood grain) or to hollow out an area for a mortise or inlay. They come in a variety of diameters and lengths.
What are the bits used in routers?
Other specialized bits include dovetail bits, drawer-lock bits, finger-joint bits and lock-miter bits.
What are Rockler router bits made of?
Here at Rockler, we offer our own line of router bits designed for the serious woodworker. Rockler bits are made with high-quality ISO K10 and K20 carbide and are sharpened with 600-800 diamond abrasives. They also are precision-balanced and geometrically designed for superior chip ejection.
What size router bits are used?
It's the part of the bit that goes into the collet of the router. There are two common sizes of router bit shanks: 1/4" and 1/2". Many routers come with interchangeable 1/4" and 1/2" collets so that either size bit can be used, but some accept only 1/4" shank bits. Whenever possible, use bits with 1/2" shanks.
What is a rabbet router?
Rabbeting router bits are guided by a spinning pilot bearing at the tip, these bits are designed specifically to cut a rabbet (shoulder) in the edge of a workpiece often used to join pieces. They can be purchased in a set that includes bearings of different diameters, allowing a single bit to produce rabbets of different sizes.
What are edge forming bits used for?
Edge forming router bits are most often used to cut decorative edges. For example, Round-Over bits cut a rounded edge of a particular radius (such as 1/8" or 1/4"); Ogee bits cut variations of an S-shaped profile; Edge-beading bits cut a quarter- or half-circle profile (called a bead); Cove bits cut a concave quarter-circle. Many edge-forming bits include a pilot bearing. In most cases, these bits are used for final decoration of a project where edges have already been established and can serve as guides.
Why are anti-kickback bits important?
These anti-kickback bits have more body mass, and their enlarged bodies prevent the bits from biting too deeply and catching on the material. The greater body mass also helps to dissipate heat and keep the bits sharp longer.
What is a router bit?
Router bits can be used with fixed base routers, plunge routers and shapers to apply edge profiles to wood stock. In many cases, a series of router bits can be used to apply a complex shape, whether to dress up the edge of a single board or to create some custom molding. In most cases, one or more of the following ten basic router bit shapes can be ...
What is a round nose router bit?
The round nose router bit is similar to the cove bit, except that it is designed for plunge routing grooves and flutes in the middle of a piece of stock. Round nose bits, sometimes referred to as core-box bits, can be used to cut shallow, rounded-bottom grooves of various depths, but to be used properly, the bit should be plunged until the profile cut into the wood creates a full 180-degree arc.
What is a dovetail bit?
The dovetail bit is most famous for use in creating tails for dovetail joinery. However, dovetail bits can also be used to make tapered dadoes and rabbets. A dovetail profile has a flat bottom with angled sides which are wider at the base. Most dovetail bits do not have a bearing, although a few specific template-style dovetail jigs require bearing on the shank of the bit.
What is a beading bit?
Beading Bit. A beading bit is similar to a roundover bit (below) in that it applies a rounded shape to the edge of the stock. The difference between a beading bit and a roundover bit is that the beading bit also cuts a square shoulder on the top and bottom edges of the roundover.
What is a rabbet?
Simply stated, a rabbet is a dado on the edge of a piece of stock. While rabbets can be cut using a table saw (with a dado blade) or a straight-cutting router bit, there are also specially-designed rabbeting bits, designed to ride along the edge of the stock (often with a bearing tip).
Can you use bearing tips on dado?
Some straight-cutting bits have a bearing-tip (designed for trimming a piece of laminate applied to the face of a board), but these bearing-tip bits cannot be used for cutting a dado. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10.
What happens when you remove a router bearing?
When the bearing has been removed, you will be left with a metal spindle, on which you can place a new guide bearing and replace any washers and the shield , if needed. Replacement washers are available as router cutter spare parts.
What is the cutting depth of a bit?
The cutting depth is how far into the material a bit can cut. A guide bearing will limit the cutting depth, depending on its diameter.
What key fits a hexagonal screw?
Select a hex or Allen key that fits the hexagonal slot on the set screw. The instructions with individual cutters should state which key to use. Various spare bearing fixing packs and hex keys are available if needed.
Do router bits need bearings replaced?
With frequent use, the surface of the bearing can become worn, preventing it from rolling evenly along the work surface. The bearing of router bits are considered consumables that may need to be replaced before the end of the router bit's life.
Can you remove guide bearings?
You can now remove the guide bearing and any washers, and the shield if there is one. Various replacement bearings are available, depending on the cutter type and size. Individual bearings can be bought or they can be bought in packs , or you can get Multi-bearing packs that contain bearings of different sizes, rubber shielded bearings , plastic sleeve bearings , or Trade range bearings .
Do router bits extend out?
The more a router bit is sharpened, or honed, the smaller the cutting edges will become. Eventually, they may not extend out as far as the guide bearing. As a result, you will need to replace it with a smaller one. Various bearing sizes are available so you should be able to find one of an appropriate size.
Can you use lubricant on a guide bearing?
You should not use any lubricant or any solvents on the guide bearing, especially if it is a Trend bearings, as they will be packed for life with special grease for built-in lubrication.
