Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-6, страница 68

Screw Slot Bits

Router Bits You've Never Heard Of

... but you'll really want to try!

By Bill Hylton

Here is a gathering of 10 router bits (including sets of router bits that work together) that will make your life easier in the shop. Some of them are really clever!

9

o much is going on in the router realm that it's difficult to slay current. Routers don't fundamentally change from year to year, of course, and neither do router bits. But each year introduces a few novel and occasionally revolutionary bits. And if you aren't paying close attention, you simply don't hear about them.

A couple of years back, a buddy of mine was holding the floor at a meeting of the local woodworker's guild, explaining how to calculate bevel angles and set up the table saw for making sides of hexagonal and octagonal boxes. Partway into his talk, someone shouted, "Aw, you just use a bird's-mouth bit!"

To save you a similar embarrassment, here's my list of 10 great bits (including bit sets) that you ought to know about. Just in case you don't already ...

The Cast of Characters

Making slots for screws — rather than simply drilling around pilot holes — is sometimes essential to

Screw Slot Bits MLCS

Tongue and Groove Edge Banding Set (Infinity)

Box Joint Bit (Infinity)

m

Reversible Drawer Look Glue Joint Bit (Eagle America)

allow for wood movement or for adjustability. But making those slots can be really putzy.

Did you know you can get a router bit to cut those slots? Two, in fact: one to make a slot with a countersink for a flathead screw, another for a counterbored slot for a roundhead screw. Both are proportioned for #8 screws.

Use the bit in a plunge router (or in a table-mounted router) to cut a slot in one quick operation.

Clean slnts (or #8 screws are a job lor the router, not the drill press. One bit cuts the slot and a countersink (top); the other makes a slat with counterbore. Use a plunge router to make blind slots.

Today's Shop continues on page 68 ...

Ul U!

Grill Cutter Set (Woodline USA)

Edge Banding Set (Eagle America)

Woodworker's Journal December 2008

67