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Router bit types explained

16 types, 181 bits in the catalogue: what each type does, which materials it suits and which sizes are common.

The bits you need to get started

End mill 1/8" (3.175 mm), 2 flutes, upcut: Cutting out and pockets in wood, MDF and plastics.
V-bit 60° or 90°: Lettering, signs, V-carving and chamfers.
End mill 1/4" (6.35 mm) or 6 mm: Clearing large areas quickly.
Ball nose 3 mm: Reliefs and smooth 3D shapes.

End mill

The all-rounder: cut out profiles and clear pockets. An upcut spiral clears chips well, a downcut spiral keeps the top edge clean.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Rigid foam, Acrylic, Plastics, Aluminium
In the catalogue: 24 bits, Ø 0.8 to 8 mm

Single-flute end mill

One flute with a large gullet: acrylic and plastics do not melt, and it also works for aluminium.

Materials: Softwood, MDF, Rigid foam, Acrylic, Plastics, Aluminium
In the catalogue: 9 bits, Ø 1.5 to 6.35 mm

Compression bit

Upcut at the bottom, downcut at the top: both faces stay free of tear-out. Ideal for plywood and laminated boards.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF
In the catalogue: 5 bits, Ø 3.175 to 8 mm

Multi-flute end mill

Three or four flutes, usually coated: for aluminium, brass and clean walls.

Materials: Hardwood, Plastics, Aluminium, Brass
In the catalogue: 11 bits, Ø 2 to 8 mm

Straight bit

Straight carbide-tipped flutes: the classic router bit.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF
In the catalogue: 6 bits, Ø 6 to 12.7 mm

Ball nose

Rounded tip: reliefs, 3D shapes, coves and smooth transitions.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Rigid foam, Acrylic, Plastics
In the catalogue: 12 bits, Ø 0.5 to 8 mm

Tapered ball nose

A small ball at the tip and tapered towards the shank: fine reliefs with a sturdy bit.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, MDF, Rigid foam, Plastics
In the catalogue: 6 bits, Ø 1.44 to 3.57 mm

V-bit

A pointed cone: lettering, V-carving, chamfers. The smaller the angle, the deeper and finer the line.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Acrylic, Plastics, Aluminium
In the catalogue: 14 bits, Ø 3.175 to 19.05 mm · 30–120°

Engraving bit

A very fine tip: signs, engraving and isolation milling of circuit boards.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Acrylic, Plastics, Aluminium, Brass, Circuit board
In the catalogue: 17 bits, 10–90°, tip 0.1 to 0.5 mm

PCB isolation end mill

A tiny flat end mill: isolates traces at a constant width even if the board is not perfectly flat.

Materials: Acrylic, Plastics, Circuit board
In the catalogue: 10 bits, Ø 0.1 to 1 mm

Twist drill

Drills holes of exactly its diameter. For larger holes cut an inside profile with an end mill.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Acrylic, Plastics, Aluminium, Brass
In the catalogue: 17 bits, Ø 0.5 to 8 mm

PCB drill

Fine carbide drills with a collar ring for circuit boards.

Materials: Acrylic, Plastics, Circuit board
In the catalogue: 18 bits, Ø 0.3 to 3 mm

Brad point drill

With a centre spur: holes in wood do not wander or tear out.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF
In the catalogue: 6 bits, Ø 3 to 10 mm

Corn cob bit

Many small teeth: circuit boards, fibreglass and carbon fibre without fraying.

Materials: Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Plastics, Circuit board
In the catalogue: 12 bits, Ø 0.6 to 6 mm

Surfacing bit

Large diameter, shallow depth: flatten the spoilboard and workpieces.

Materials: Softwood, Hardwood, Plywood, MDF, Rigid foam, Plastics
In the catalogue: 8 bits, Ø 12.7 to 38 mm

Thread mill

Single-form 60° profile on a slim neck: internal and external threads in aluminium, brass and plastics.

Materials: Hardwood, Acrylic, Plastics, Aluminium, Brass
In the catalogue: 6 bits, Ø 2.3 to 8 mm

Spiral direction: upcut, downcut, compression

Upcut: Lifts chips out of the slot. Good for deep pockets, the top edge may fray.
Downcut: Pushes fibres down: a clean top edge, but chips stay in the slot. For shallow cuts.
Compression: Upcut at the bottom, downcut at the top: both edges clean. Ideal for cutting out plywood and laminated boards.
Straight: No helix, like classic straight bits for handheld routers.

Tool material and coating

Solid carbide: The standard for CNC bits: hard, sharp and stable, but brittle under side impacts.
Carbide tipped: Steel body with brazed carbide edges: robust and affordable in large diameters.
HSS: High-speed steel: tough and cheap, but dulls faster. Common for drills.
Coating: ZrN (gold) against sticking in aluminium, DLC and TiAlN for long life in hard materials.

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