Types of Woodworking Routers and Bits for Beginners

Routers are versatile tools in any woodwork shop. Their uses are endless. You can cut rounded edges, decorative edges, cut holes, do creative carving, joinery and even plane wood.

A router is a motor that spins a bit at a high speed to cut the wood. It’s not considered a specialty tool because it’s used all the time. With a quick change of the router bit, you can achieve a different look and function for your project. A flat piece of wood can have a rounded edge or a beaded detail added in minutes. The edge is suitable for a panel or under a shelf and if you rip off a thin strip of wood, it becomes moulding.

For joinery make a dado and rabbet then put them together for a strong joint. It’s a much stronger join than butting two straight edges together.

Use a router as a drill press to make holes that pegs fit in for shelves. Make you own wood flooring with tongue-and-groove cuts made with a router.

Types of Routers

Three main types of routers include:

A trim router is the smallest kind of router and is ideal for using inside a cabinet to make a hole for an outlet or detail. You can’t use big bits in these routers otherwise you will burn out the motor. However, small bits you buy for a trim router are suitable for larger routers.

A fixed base router is ideal for bigger jobs. If your router has a variable speed motor, use a slower speed with large diameter bits.

A plunge router has a spring-loaded base which allows you to plunge the bit down into the board and then release it to pop up out of the cut. It’s ideal for cutting inlays, grooves and holes.
Router Bits

Bits are available in dozens of sizes and shapes. You can buy them in sets or as individual bits. A set allows you to try a few different bits to find which ones you like but one straight bit is versatile. The cutter size and shank size is different on bits. The shank size needs to match the collet size, usually ¼ inch or ½ inch diameter collets. When you are buying a new bit, always check that the bit-shank diameter matches the router’s collet. However, most routers have interchangeable collets so you can have multiple two collets to fit the range of bits you own.

A straight cutting bit is needed for dados and rabbets.

A Roman Ogee router bit makes mouldings.

A piloted flush cutting bit has a ball bearing that rides along a template to make custom, precise cuts.

Some bits have a ball-bearing which rolls along the edge of the board to control the cut‘s depth.

A flush trim bit has a bearing at the bottom of the bit for trimming a laminated surface flush to the substrate. Some have cutting surfaces on the tip of the bit to plunge through laminate. A template or pattern bit has the bearing at the top so it can cut to the shape of a template.
How to Change the Router Bit

To change a router bit, unplug the router from the wall then push the bit all the way into the collet then pull it out a little so you have expansion space. Now it’s in the right place, tighten the collet using a wrench to secure it. Adjust the depth of the cut you require then plug it back in and you’re ready to cut. Clamp the board so it overhangs the workbench. Put your eye safety glasses on and ear plugs in. Make sure the router isn’t touching the board then push the router into your wood after turning it on. Router in a left-to-right direction, an anti-clockwise direction. This sends the chips out via the front of the router rather than behind the router into you.

If you have any queries about the right routing products and accessories, don’t hesitate to contact us online.