In woodworking, using a router accompanied by the appropriate router bit is essential in making the right shape, depth and style of the wood design you want to make. There are router bits that can be used by all kinds of woodworkers, but there are certain router bits that are made for experts only. Yes, router bits differ in terms of their function and use. Here are the most commonly used router bits available in your local hardware store or woodworking shop:
1. Straight Router Bits. The most frequently utilized kind of router bits, straight bits are used to create straight cuts and grooves on the wood. They are used to create inlays and mortises by means of hollowing out a particular area of the wood. Straight router bits come in different sizes – from the smallest 3/16 inches, to the largest 1 ½ inches in diameter.
2. Flush Trim Router Bits. The name itself tells us that a flush trim router bit is used to trim one material’s edge so that we can “flush” another material’s edge. This kind of router bit is used with a pilot bearing as their guide. The size of the cutting radius of the router bit is the same as the size of the pilot bearing. The pilot bearing can guide the flush trim router bit whether it is placed at the cutting edge’s base or at the top of the router bit itself.
3. Rabbeting Router Bits. Just like flush trim router bits, rabbeting bits also have a top bearing as their guide. On the other hand, they are not good at trimming; rather, they are used to create straight horizontal and vertical cuts. They also work on the edges of a material, particularly its rabbet or notch. The diameter of the rabbet cut depends on the size of the pilot bearing’s diameter.
4. Edge Forming Router Bits. If you are skilled enough to create decorative edges into a wood or any other material, then edge forming router bits are the bits for you. Edge forming router bits do not only cut the edges; they are also able to simply beautify them. Just like other decorative tools, there are different edge-forming profiles available. The most common ones are round over, ogee, edge beading, and cove. Round over router bits are utilized to cut an edge so that it would turn out to be rounded. Ogee bits cut the edge into s-shaped profile. They are subdivided into several types, but the most frequently used is the Roman ogee bit. On the other hand, there’s the edge beading router bits that are able to bead the ¼ to ½ half circle profile into a corner or an edge. Cove router bits are utilized to cut off a ¼ concave circle of the material.
5. Chamfer Router Bits. Making bevel cuts at any given angle is not a problem when you have chamfer router bits. Skilled woodworkers also utilize this kind of router bit as a decorator for a materials edge. It is usually used for multi-sided wood constructions as a creator of bevelled edges.



