Router Bit Guide: Types and When to Use Each
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Router bits shape edges, cut joinery, and make decorative profiles. A $200 router does nothing useful without the right bit, and most routers ship with either a generic straight bit or nothing at all. This page covers the five bit types that handle 90% of home workshop routing jobs.
When to Replace
A dull router bit burns wood (dark scorch marks on edges), chatters during cuts, and requires you to force the router. Carbide bits hold an edge much longer than HSS and can be resharpened by a professional service. Replace any bit with chipped carbide tips. Chipped tips produce uneven cuts and can throw fragments.
Types Overview
Straight bits
Dadoes, grooves, mortises, and template routing. The workhorse bit.
$8-25 eachFlush-trim bits
Trimming edge banding, laminate, and template copies flush to a reference surface.
$12-30 eachRoundover bits
Rounding sharp edges on tabletops, shelves, and handrails.
$10-20 eachChamfer bits
Cutting 45-degree bevels on edges. Decorative and functional.
$10-20 eachRabbeting bits
Cutting L-shaped steps for back panels, glass panes, and lap joints.
$15-30 eachBuying Tips
- Buy carbide-tipped bits, not HSS. Carbide costs more up front but lasts 10-20x longer, especially in plywood, MDF, and hardwood.
- Match the shank size to your router collet. Most home routers accept 1/4" shanks. Larger routers accept 1/2" shanks, which chatter less and handle aggressive cuts better.
- Avoid cheap 50-piece bit sets. Most of those profiles will never leave the case. Buy 5-6 individual bits you will actually use.
- Ball-bearing guides on flush-trim and rabbeting bits ride along the workpiece edge. Replace the bearing when it starts grinding or wobbling.
Top Picks
RBS010 10-Piece Starter Set
Getting started with the most common profiles (1/4" shank)
16-100 Straight Bit 1/2"
Dadoes and grooves in plywood shelving
38-502 Flush Trim Bit
Template routing and edge banding trimming
34-116 1/4" Roundover Bit
Softening edges on furniture and shelves
Borrow or Buy?
Router bits are not expensive individually, and a dull borrowed bit will burn your wood. The five bits on this page cover most home tasks and cost about $80 total. Specialty profile bits for one-off jobs might be worth borrowing, though.
Common Questions
What is the difference between 1/4" and 1/2" shank bits?
The 1/2" shank is stiffer, vibrates less, and handles heavier cuts. If your router accepts 1/2" shanks, prefer them. The 1/4" shank works fine for light profiling and small bits, but it flexes under load on larger profiles.
Can I use router bits in a drill press?
No. Drill presses spin too slowly for router bits and do not have the lateral rigidity that routing requires. Router bits need 10,000-25,000 RPM. A drill press tops out around 3,000. Use a router table or handheld router.
How do I prevent burning when routing?
Take shallower passes, move the router at a steady pace (not too slow), and use sharp bits. Stopping the router in the middle of a cut guarantees a burn mark. Feed direction matters too: move against the bit rotation for a controlled cut.