Router roundover bits

[johnson 10+ year member]

Im gonna get a router soon and will get a few bits this weekend at Home Depot. Not sure on what size to go for roundover. It's been suggested to get the 1/2" but wouldnt you get a half circle with a 3/8" bit? I guess I could get a 3 piece kit so I can use the 3/4" bit for rounding out the outside of enclosures.

1/4" spiral upcut

http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=3399&p=5401

1/2" roundover

http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=3399&p=5451

or

3/8" roundover

http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=3399&p=5450

Does this look like 3/8"? Pic borrowed from Team Toxic Bass testimonials.

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[Fosgate Forever 10+ year member]

well what are you doing with it

 

[johnson 10+ year member]

rounding out the edges of a enclosure on the outside

rounding out edges for ports

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

I use a smaller than half thickness roundover bit when I know that I'll be rounding both sides of the board in question by hand. Reason, the roundover bit has a bearing on the end that rides on the remaining part of the face that you are rounding. Not a problem on the first side, but when you go to the second side, if you have done a full half thickness cut, there is nothing for the bearing to ride on and you are screwed. I usually use either a 1/4" or 3/16" ON 3/4" MDF. If you want a full half round (not really necessary inside a port where the concern is just to get rid of the sharp edge) you will either need a full half round bit and a router table (the half round bit is expensive and totally unnecessary) or just a router table and a quarter round bat and use the fence to make two passes. Look at small router tables at the Depot, they can be had for about $40 plus the router. Money well spent if you plan on building a number of boxes or just like working in wood. After the table saw, it is probably the tool I have used the most.