Choosing a router bit for plywoods

Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.
As far as I know, you use the same bits regardless of what (normal) material you use. Keep them clean, oil the bearings, and sharp.

You definitely want the biggest bevel(chamfer) and/or roundover bits you can get (and your router can swing), as well as a flush trim bit and a spiral upcut bit. Rabbeting bits are also helpful for cutting driver recesses and doing joinery, though it's usually better to cut the recess with a circle jig at the same time you do the driver through-hole. Do the recess first then adjust inward and do the through-hole. Take care when the circle falls not to lose control.
 
badman said:
Do the recess first then adjust inward and do the through-hole. Take care when the circle falls not to lose control.

Clamp the workpiece to a large scrap of mdf or similar and drill the center pivot hole through both pieces. Then the router will be under control after the disc is cut loose. This also allows for making the hole/recess a bit larger if you have cut it too small, as long as you keep the scrap and the workpiece clamped together.
The scrap also helps a bit in controlling splintering.

(I learned this the hard way.)

Also, spiral bits are definitely smoother cutting- both in wood and in your wallet.

Cheers
John
 
John is correct, the glue used in plywood is very abrasive and will dull lines in a steel bit fairly quickly. MDF in its make up is glue and dust thus it to will dull steel tooling fairly quickly also. Quality carbide bits and blades are your best choice not only for composite materials but for all around quality, in all materials.
 
Status
This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.