router bit questions

[angrytrucker78 10+ year member]

Which bit do you use to make the speaker cutout? And is a 1/2" roundover good enough to round port walls and round the outside of the box? The 3/4 roundovers only seem to have a 1/2 shank and I'm not sure if my router will accept.

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[envengineer 10+ year member]

I use a 1/4" downspiral bit for making the cutouts (just remember to use a pilot hole). Others use an upspiral but I like to be able to see what I'm doing if I make freehand cuts and the downspiral allows me to see my lines perfectly and I don't have to switch bits.

 

[Rawr-DQ 10+ year member]

You use a straight bit to do cut-outs. And you'll also want to make or buy a circle jig.

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

I also use a 1/4" upspiral bit for cutting the holes. For roundovers, I use a 3/8" roundover bit. Here is why. When you get to the end of your port, and want to round over port sides, if you use anything bigger than 3/8" with will be oblonged. 3/8" x2 =3/4, which happens to be wood thickness. Theoretically you could use a bigger roundover for the front of the box, thats just up to you.

 

[angrytrucker78 10+ year member]

Thanks. So the spiral bit would just be something like a roto-zip would use, doesn't have to be router specific correct? I'm gonna start building this today and just making sure I have everything I need.

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

Correct, its just a different kind of straight cutting bit. Similar to a drill bit sort of. I think it works alittle better than a regular straight bit.

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

upspiral bits are killer...

And u might end up with a few round over bits, depending on what ur rounding. Also buy quality bits.

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

get a jasper jig also

 

[bjfish11 5,000+ posts]

upspiral bits are killer...
And u might end up with a few round over bits, depending on what ur rounding. Also buy quality bits.

x2

get a jasper jig also

x2

Both of these suggestions will make it MUCH easier. And you will be able to build quality boxes, faster for a long time.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

I use a spiral upcut bit as well. They are router bits similar in design to a Roto-zip it but really more akin to an end mill used for metal machining. Benefits to a spiral upcut vs others for jig work: it loads the bit vertically instead of laterally like a straight cut bit. The result is less tool deflection and more accurated cuts. You also don't get tool chatter. It clears the chip out of the hole as it cuts, keeping the cutters clear reducing the chance of burning up the bit or the work. It plunge cuts unlike a down cut bit. A down cut bit also can only be used for through cuts and can't cut channels and pockets. It pushes the chips into the hole and will burn almost immediately if there is nowhere for them to go. To be able to see what you're doing for free hand work, get a dust collection attachment.

The only drawback to using an upcut bit is that you MUST have the bit collet correctly tightened. The bit pulls itself into the work and will pull loose from the collect and into your work surface if you let it. I check the bit before every cut, and now that my collet is worn as well, I closely monitor the bit as I go. If it stops cutting easily, I kill the router and check the bit. The wings on my saw table have a few scars from spiral bits working loose.

 

[angrytrucker78 10+ year member]

Thanks for the help. I just ordered a Jasper Jig, and I'm gonna head up to HD or Lowes and pick up a spiral bit and a 3/8 roundover.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Depending on how good the tool guy is at HD or Lowes there, they may not know what a Spiral Upcut bit is. Also make sure you know what size collet your router has and get the right size shank.

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

another cool bit to look into is a flushcut. Nothing looks finer than perfect edges //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[baseballer1100 5,000+ posts]

I also use a 1/4" upspiral bit for cutting the holes. For roundovers, I use a 3/8" roundover bit. Here is why. When you get to the end of your port, and want to round over port sides, if you use anything bigger than 3/8" with will be oblonged. 3/8" x2 =3/4, which happens to be wood thickness. Theoretically you could use a bigger roundover for the front of the box, thats just up to you.

Did that today. Looked weird.

 

[davidfre21 5,000+ posts]

Did that today. Looked weird.

pwnt