CNC router bits play a significant role in woodworking designs. The basic purpose of a router bit is to remove the materials in a specific pattern.
CNC machines, along with various router bits, unleash the creative possibilities in the world of woodworking and carving.
The best router bit is the one that determines that your project will be state-of-the-art or an ordinary one. The router bit is useful in determining the carving type, pattern, material, and resolution.
These router bits are not limited to woodworking but can also work for soft aluminum, PVC, PCB boards, and so on.
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7 Best Router Bits Reviews
Here we shortlist a few router bits (singles or kit) for the wooden picture frame, sign making, Incra Jig, and spiral bit set. Let’s explore the features and technical aspects, including shank size, shape, material, and more in detail. Here is my list of the Best Router Bits in 2021;
1. Freud for Cabinet Door Bit Set | Best for Professional Woodworkers
- Weight: 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 1 x 1x 1 inches
- Router bit Type:2Bit Set For 1/8″ Glass, door modeling
- Material: TiCo Hi-Den
- Shank size: ½ inches
- Unique look and features
- Perfect for the strong joints
- Accurate cuts
- Increases profitability for professionals.
- Can’t withstand mishandling
Overview
Freud is one of the top-rated brands in the CNC machine parts and accessories industry. This is the reason here we come with another model by this brand, yet more to come. Let’s explore Freud 2″ (Dia.) Glass Panel Cabinet Door Bit Set features and specs in detail.
This model has a time-saving installation process that increases profitability and accuracy. The professional woodworkers must grab this small kit of 2 piece Glass panel cabinet door bits to value their time and money.
This model is basically designed for glass panel doors with removable plastic beads and strong joints. It helps to create tight-fitted, strong glass door joints with accuracy and precision.
Some specs offered by this set are difficult to find in the market, such as 2-inches overall diameter, 16mm bore diameter, ½-inches shank size. 1-3/32-inches carbide height, and more.
The router bits are Sharp to cut the strong joints. The bits are made up of carbide, which is why it is strong and sturdy.
The router bits are professional-grade and not recommended for beginners as they can’t withstand the mishandlings.
2. Magnate Surface Planing Router Bit | Honorable Mentions
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.5×1.5×3 inches
- Router bit Type: Bottom cleaning
- Material: Carbide tipped
- Shank size: ½ inches (2-inches shank length)
- Perfect for square grooves
- Work on soft and hardwood.
- Quality build
- Heat-treated
- Not suitable for beginners
Overview
Magnate 2704 lets you create the square groove and decorative edges. Attach this router bit to the collet of the CNC machine to enjoy its ultimate performance. It performs exceptionally, cleans out dadoes, and leaves smooth finishes.
This model fulfills the woodworking industrial applications for professional and commercial-grade projects. The carbide-tipped router bit is durable and ready to face wood cutting challenges.
The sharp edges of this model are heat treated with high carbon for exceptional rigidity. No more issues like burns in designs or rubbing. It cuts efficiently on various materials, including plywood, chip wood, hardwood, and softwood. It can withstand various materials.
You can maximize the cutting quality and avoid vibration due to its short cutting length and short cutting edge. If the cutting length is greater, then it’s going to damage your tool.
Read the operational manual first; it is advisable to run the router bit at a slow speed and then speed up gradually. As the Magnate 2704 Surface Planing Router Bit has a 2-inches overall length, run it at 18,000 rotations per minute.
3. Freud Adjustable Tongue & Groove Bit Set | Best Router Bits to Own
- Weight: 14.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches
- Router bit Type: Groove router bit set
- Material: TiCo Hi-Density Carbide
- Shank size: ½ inches
- Exclusive design
- Flawless finish
- Revolutionized build
- Quadra Cut
- Expensive to buy
Overview
Here we come with one of the perfect sets for creating shaker-style door cabinets or any woodworking project that required grooved joints and a precise tongue.
The bit set produces perfect finishing and a smooth texture.
The opposite shear angles avoid chipping at the bottom and top of your work. You can adjust the space up to .002-inches increments.
Freud Adjustable Tongue & Groove Bit Set produces the joints in the thick materials up to ½-inches to 1-1/4inches, whereas the groove deepness is 7/32-inches to inches deep.
These router bits are perfect for mounting on table routers along with ½-inches shank size. The professional-grade router bits cut all the materials, including plywood, softwood, and hardwood.
The best part about this model is that each bit has a unique coating over the TiCo Hi-Density Carbide and red Perma-shield double-grind. However, this feature is rare when it comes to router bits.
Thus, the revolutionary coating reduces the heat and pitch build-up. The router bit features high-density carbide bits that have a flawless finish and longer life.
4. Yonico 3 Bit Picture Frame Router Bit Set | Best Router Bits for Professionals
- Weight: 1.37 pounds
- Dimensions: 9.25 x 4.5 x 3.75 inches
- Router bit Type: 3 Bit Set For 1/8″ Glass
- Material: Carbide
- Shank size: ½ inches
- Maximum strength and durability
- Table mount router only
- Sharper carbide blades
- Stepped rabbet back
- Limited use
Overview
Yonico is one of the market-leading brands for router parts and accessories. When it comes to edge treatment grooving bits, then it offers highly durable and functional router bits.
Let’s have a look at one of the most popular and in-demand router bits by this brand, known as Yonico 3 Bit Picture Frame Router Bit Set.
Picture frame making is the most common woodworking art. This pack of 3 bits will help you to cut the wood and process it easily.
It is recommended to use the 2 router bits frame designing whereas the stepped bit to rabbet the back.
Basically, the rabbet bit will help you create ample space for artwork, glass, and backing.
The router bits can engrave and cut the wooden subject up to 3 -inches thick for the mirror and glass of the frame.
The pack includes two flute carbide cutters along with ball-bearing guides. The pack comes in beautiful wooden storage to keep the accessories organized.
The ½-inches shank size is easy to connect to the collet. The limitation lies in that these router bits are limited to the table mount routers only.
5. Freud 5 Piece Down Spiral Bit Set | Best of Money Bits
- Weight: 1.85 pounds
- Dimensions: 1 x 1x 1 inches
- Router bit Type: 5 bit set down spiral bit
- Material: TiCo Hi-Den
- Shank size: ½ inches
- Perfect for dadoes and groove
- Top-notch quality build
- 5 Downcut spiral bit
- Chip-free top surfaces
- Not for chip removal
Overview
Downcut spiral bits are great to clear the chips. It works just like the up cut spiral. However, the difference lies in the direction.
The downwards cutting edge pushes the wood fibers in a direction, leaving a smooth texture and minimal tear-out.
The woodworking experts use the down-cut router bits now and then. Let’s have a look at Freud’s 5 Piece Down Spiral Bit Set (90-160) to fulfill your downwards cutting needs in a better way.
This commercial-grade down spiral bit yields beautiful carvings and smooth impressions. If you want to take your detailing work to the next level, you must grab this best router bits set. Set of 5 bits is properly packed in a wooden case to
The pack comes in a stylish wooden box to keep the accessories. You can also hang it on the wall to keep the bits at handy access.
These router bits cut all the materials, including softwood, hardwood, and plywood. You can install it on table-mounted rotors or Automatic CNC machines.
6. Freud CNC Router Bits for Signmaking | Best Router Bits for Beginners
- Weight: 9.44 ounces
- Dimensions: 1 x 1x 1 inches
- Router bit Type:8 router bits for sign making
- Material: carbide
- Shank size: 1/4 inches
- Sturdy carbide router bits
- High-quality finishes
- Maximum durability
- Long cutting life
- Lack storage box
Overview
If you are looking for a professional-grade CNC router bit set, then Freud 8 Piece CNC Router Bit Signmaking Set is a perfect option for you.
This kit is perfect for lettering, engraving, and sign making from a variety of materials. It is ideal for plastics, wood, wood composites, sign making, aluminum, and more. You can engrave 2D and 3D carving with these tools.
All the router bits of this kit are made up of strong carbide and shank size ¼-inches. Carbide-made router bits are durable, functional, and deliver professional results.
You can create different types of signs using these solid carbide router bits.
The eight different CNC router bits include 2 v groove bits, 1 up spiral bit, 1 down spiral bit, 2 tapered ball tip bits, and 2 up-cut spiral ball nose bits.
Freud is the best-selling brand when it comes to the router bit. But, this model has gained significant popularity due to its versatile router bits in one pack.
According to customer reviews, it is a perfect package with all the essential router bits for sign making and engraving.
7. Freud 8 Piece Bit Sets for Incra Jig | Best Router Bits for Oak
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Dimensions: 1 x 1x 1 inches
- Router bit Type: 8 router bits for Incra Jig
- Material: blend
- Shank size: 1/4 inches
- Wooden storage case
- Equipped with Incra jig
- Used for automatic routers and fence system
- Sharp blades
- Needs experts hand
Overview
The INCRA Jig is one of the famous woodworking that leads in the market. This set of these 8 router bits can be used for making joint jigs, CNC automatic routers, and other fence systems.
According to the customer’s reviews, this router bit kit contains all the essential tools required to make a fence system. You will not need to buy extra accessories for Incra jig woodwork.
The performance of this router bit is exceptional in its own way. These router bits are made up of carbide materials along with ¼-inches shank size.
The pack contains two double flute straight bits and six dovetail bits having various cutting angles, heights, and diameters. All the router bits are set inside a wooden box.
You can place them safely once you are done with INCRA Jig.
Factors to Consider While Buying a CNC Router Bit
Router bits can take your project to the next level. But, one must grab the right tool for accurate results. These tools are versatile; every shape of the router bit has its own benefits and limitations.
Custom engraving, manufacturing a wooden door, and other requirements, choose the CNC router bit that must match your project’s nature. Let’s have a look at what features to consider while choosing the best router bit.
Shape
A wide range of router bits are available in the market, so it is important to make sure about the shape and size you need for your woodworking. You can find:
Stright bits: These router bits have a wide range of applications in wood carvings, woodworking, and more. The basic function is to create square-shaped grooves.
V-Groove: To engrave a beautiful impact design over the flat materials. Perfect for making signs and panels.
Rabbeting bits: These bits are joinery bits that are used to make L-shaped rabbet joints. Used for the cabinets and side joins. (Join two materials)
Glue Joint: Glue joints are used to create the adjoining tongues at both pieces.
Flush trim: One of the popular and in-demand router bits. Perfect for replicating patterns.
Rounding over: They cut at 90-degree of a piece of wood.
Chamfer: This router bit is used to create decorative impacts and join two materials.
These are some most common router bits used in woodworking projects. Thus, you must educate yourself about the particular shape and its effects throughout your project to choose accordingly.
Nature of the project
To buy the right tool, make sure about your project’s nature. Either you intend to make decorative edges on the wooden furniture or build a wooden frame, choose the router bit as per your project. Put your hands on the V-groove router bit to create decorative edges or the edge forming router bit for the wooden furniture.
Material
On the market, you can find two types of router bits. One is carbide bits, and the second is high-speed stainless steel bits. Some router bits are crafted from pure carbon steel that is hard-wearing to heavy-duty work.
Steel-made router bits are budget-friendly to be used for beginners. They are cheap, so mishandlings or breakage due to pressure will not burden your pocket.
Compared to the high-speed stainless steel bits, the carbide bits have a longer time span and cuts more sharply. We recommend the experts buy the carbide-made router bits to bring out their effectiveness in detailing work.
Shank Size
The shank size is the uppermost cylindrical part of the router bit that connects it to the collet of the CNC machine. Two sizes are available one is ½ inches shank and ¼ inches shank.
Some CNC machines can accept both sizes to connect in the collet, while others are specifically designed for a single one. ¼ inches shank size is ideal for beginners due to its cheap rates and durability.
At the same time, ½ inches router bits give better control and precise movements.
Sharpness
You can get frustrated by using dull bits! It can make your work look poor and humpy. A sharp bit cuts the material with precision and accuracy.
A shape bit boosts the performance and yields state-of-the-art designs. Invest in the best router bits that come with repeatedly sharpening options.
Kit or single item
Dispensing upon your needs, decide whether you need a professional-grade kit or a single router bit. Both will help you exhale your skills. One more thing, you can find kits consisting of 6-piece, 8-piece,14-piece, and more. So, choose the one that matches your requirement.
Final Words
To bring out the creativity in your woodworking designs, invest in the best router bits selected by our experts. Unleash the new possibilities and avail the convenience of these sharp router bits to cut the material.
Grab the best router bit as per the nature of your project. The editor choice is Freud 8 Piece CNC Router Bit Signmaking Set due to its top-notch quality materials, router bit shapes, and performance.
The eight router bits are used to create impressive carvings and precise cuts.
Avail the fine finishes, smooth cuts, and precise movement over the material using the best router bits.
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People Also Asked about the Best Router Bits
Here are a few mostly asked questions about CNC router bits for beginners;
What are the Best CNC Router Bits?
Here is my list of the Best Router Bits in 2021;
- Freud for Cabinet Door Bit Set| Best for Professional Woodworkers
- Magnate Surface Planing Router Bit| Honorable Mentions
- Freud Adjustable Tongue & Groove Bit Set | Best Router Bits to Own
- Yonico 3 Bit Picture Frame Router Bit Set |Best Router Bits for Professionals
- Freud 5 Piece Down Spiral Bit Set| Best of Money Bits
- Freud CNC Router Bits for Signmaking | Best Router Bits for Beginners
- Freud 8 Piece Bit Sets for Incra Jig | Best Router Bits for Oak
What is a CNC router bit?
A router bit is used to cut the material in a specific pattern. Mostly router bits work for all woods, including softwood, hardwood, and plywood.
What is the shank size?
Shank size connects the router bits with the CNC machine router collet. Mostly available in two sizes ½-inches and ¼ inches
What type of router bits are available?
You can find various types of router bits, including rounding over a bit, a straight bit, chamfer, flush trim, rabbeting bit, cove bit, roman ogee bit, and more.
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