What to consider when buying a router bit?

When choosing a router bit you should pay attention to the correct shaft diameter. In Europe 8 mm and 12 mm (metric shafts) are normal. In the USA or in the UK imperialsizes are more common, such as 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". At sautershop you will find the shaft diameters 12 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm and 3 mm. Our largest selection is for router bits with 8 mm shaft . For bigger jobs, 12 mm shaft router bits normally have a large cutting edge diameter (greater than 35 mm).

Which materials can I machine with a router bit?

With the classic Tungsten-Carbide Tipped bits (TCT), solid and natural woods, wood materials such as plywood, chipboard and MDF, plastics and acrylic can be processed. For abrasive materials, such as Corian®, Hi-Macs® or Staron®, there are special router bits that have a more resistant carbide on the cutting edges.

What types of router bit are there?

Hardly any other machine is as versatile as a router. For this reason, there is an innumerable selection of wood router bits - regardless of whether you want to mill a chamfer, a groove, a rounding, a tine joint or the most diverse contours. Below you will find a selection of different types of routers: Slotter Bits : Most common router bit shape with straight cutting edges Spiral Flute Router Bits ): Flute milling cutter, manufactured from solid tungsten-carbide Edge Processing Bits : rounding bits, chamfer bits, profile bits, edge moulding bits Template Routing : Flush routing bits with ball bearing on the cutting edge or on the shaft. Surface machining : Face milling cutter Rebate Routing : Rebater router bits Jointing : For milling tongue and groove joints, flat dowel joints Other Router Bits : T-slot routing cutters, prong bits / burr cutters, chamfer cutters, V-slot router bit.

Is it worth buying a router bit with replaceable blades?

The initial purchase cost of a router bit with replaceable blades (also known as an rota-tip bit) is more expensive than a standard tungsten-carbide tipped. In the long term if a bit is used regularly and intensively, it will prove more economical, the blades can often be rotated 180° to give double the cutting life . replacement blades are relatively inexpensive.

Which quality of router bit should I use?

HW (TCT ) stands for tungsten-carbide tipped), the cutting edges are a mixture of tungsten-carbide and cobalt. Application: For all areas of wood processing, including plate materials and plastics. Advantage : Clean resulst, long service life VHW (solid Tungsten-carbide ): Are normally a spiral router bits. Here the entire bit is made of solid tungsten-carbide. Application: For work where extremely fine cutting edges are required, otherwise the application is the same as for TCT router bits. HSS : High speed steel Application : For work where extremely fine cutting edges are required: Ideal for soft wood, plastic and aluminium Advantage : Extremely clean edges in softer materials but, has a short service life DIA refers to router bits with daimond coated edges Application : Generally for harder materials: chipboard, MDF, hardboard, laminates, veneers and mineral materials Advantage : Very long service life.

What is the difference between a TCT bit and a solid tungsten-carbide cutter?

A TCT router bit has a steel body with Tungsten-carbide cutting tips welded on. A solid tungsten-carbide bit has the blades milled into it, they are normally in a spiral form. They are often used with CNC routing machines, especially when large amounts of material needs to be removed.

Can I use a groove cutting bit to drill a hole?

In principle and groove cutting router bit can be used to drill a hole. They have downward facing blades allowing a drilling action. If you are intending to make several holes a 2 bladed bit is recommended

Router Bits

8 mm Router Bits

12 mm Router Bits

3 mm Router Bits

6 mm Router Bits

"The Red Routers" by Freud

Router Bit-Sets

Cutters with Internal Threaded Shank M12

Router Bits for Solid Surface Materials

Cutters with Replaceable Blades

HSS Cutters for Aluminium and PVC

Replacement Blades

Router Bit Bearings

Routers Bit Accessories & Spares

Router Bit Organizer

FAQ, Videos and more

Router bits also known as end mills or wood mills, are high speed routing tools for routers. There are hundreds of different shapes, sizes and lengths for many applications with the hand router or CNC router.

Today the most common routing bits are a combination of two materials. High speed steel (HSS or HW) for the shaft and body, and tungsten-carbide (TCT or HM) for the blades and tips. Routing bits may have one blade or several, the more blades a bit has the smoother and cleaner the cutting.

More Information FAQ

Quality from professional manufacturers

The sautershop router bit range come from some of the worlds leading manufactures, for example TREND, established in 1955 they are the number one supplier in the UK. Also ENT, a german manufacturer, from whom we offer their complete range.

We offer the highest quality routing cutters that are also suitable for use by professional users. The spectrum ranges from HSS routing cutters for plastic processing, over carbide router cutters, tipped for wood and plastics processing to insertion routing cutters.

In addition, we also offer ultra high-end bits made completly from tungsten-carbide for long life and precision.

Large range of shaft diameters

We offer router cutters in metric shaft diameters of 3 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm and 12 mm. For the respective shaft diameter, an appropriate tool holder is required, i.e. a collet chuck, to ensure a secure fit of the router bit in the router. If you do not if you have a corresponding collet chuck for the bit shaft you require, you will find a large selection of collets for routers from many brands here.

How to find the right router bit

To select the right router cutters for your router, we recommend first selecting the desired shaft size and then the desired shape. The available cutter sizes will then be displayed of the selected router cutters shape.

If you do not find the right router cutters in our program or are not sure exactly what you need, plaese give us a call and our professional team will advise you

Safety instructions & care tips

Tool holder / Router cutter clamping:

Make sure that the collet used matches the shaft diameter of the cutter. Clamp the routing cutter up to the mark or at least 3/4 of the shaft length.

Reducing sleeves/ Collets:

We recommend using high-quality, multi-slotted collets to ensure that the routing cutter runs without vibration during continuous work. We only recommend using reducing sleeves when absolutly necessary. Before inserting the collet into the motor spindle, the collet must snap into the union nut to prevent jamming and wedging.

Router cutter extensions:

Used for extending the routing height, but only to be used in combination with a routing table. They are available with different shank sizes and with different sized collets.

Counter-directiona l/ synchronized operation:

The material feed must always be in the opposite direction to the rotation of the routing cutter. Never feed from the other side, except for special applications, a sutible kickback stop must be used,

Routing depths:

Rout greater depths in several steps. This extends the service life of the tools, ensures a better routing result and minimises risk.

Speed/Rotation:

Never exceed recommended maximum rotation speeds as indicated on the cutter shank, packaging or instructions.

Resharpening:

Use only sharp, intact and high quality routing cutters. If necessary, contact an appropriate sharpening service to have sharpening done. Dull and defective routing cutters pose an increased safety risk and create poor work.

Frequently asked questions about Router Bits

What to consider when buying a router bit?
Which materials can I machine with a router bit?
What types of router bit are there?
Is it worth buying a router bit with replaceable blades?
Which quality of router bit should I use?
What is the difference between a TCT bit and a solid tungsten-carbide cutter?
Can I use a groove cutting bit to drill a hole?
Which speed is recommended?

1. What to consider when buying a router bit?

When choosing a router bit you should pay attention to the correct shaft diameter. In Europe 8 mm and 12 mm (metric shafts) are normal. In the USA or in the UK imperialsizes are more common, such as 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". At sautershop you will find the shaft diameters 12 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm and 3 mm. Our largest selection is for router bits with 8 mm shaft. For bigger jobs, 12 mm shaft router bits normally have a large cutting edge diameter (greater than 35 mm).
2. Which materials can I machine with a router bit?

With the classic Tungsten-Carbide Tipped bits (TCT), solid and natural woods, wood materials such as plywood, chipboard and MDF, plastics and acrylic can be processed.

For abrasive materials, such as Corian®, Hi-Macs® or Staron®, there are special router bits that have a more resistant carbide on the cutting edges.
3. What types of router bit are there?
Hardly any other machine is as versatile as a router. For this reason, there is an innumerable selection of wood router bits - regardless of whether you want to mill a chamfer, a groove, a rounding, a tine joint or the most diverse contours. Below you will find a selection of different types of routers:
- Slotter Bits: Most common router bit shape with straight cutting edges
- Spiral Flute Router Bits): Flute milling cutter, manufactured from solid tungsten-carbide
- Edge Processing Bits: rounding bits, chamfer bits, profile bits, edge moulding bits
- Template Routing: Flush routing bits with ball bearing on the cutting edge or on the shaft.
- Surface machining: Face milling cutter
- Rebate Routing: Rebater router bits
- Jointing: For milling tongue and groove joints, flat dowel joints
- Other Router Bits: T-slot routing cutters, prong bits / burr cutters, chamfer cutters, V-slot router bit.
4. Is it worth buying a router bit with replaceable blades?

The initial purchase cost of a router bit with replaceable blades (also known as an rota-tip bit) is more expensive than a standard tungsten-carbide tipped. In the long term if a bit is used regularly and intensively, it will prove more economical, the blades can often be rotated 180° to give double the cutting life . replacement blades are relatively inexpensive.
5. Which quality of router bit should I use?

HW (TCT) stands for tungsten-carbide tipped), the cutting edges are a mixture of tungsten-carbide and cobalt.

Application: For all areas of wood processing, including plate materials and plastics.

Advantage: Clean resulst, long service life

VHW (solid Tungsten-carbide): Are normally a spiral router bits. Here the entire bit is made of solid tungsten-carbide.

Application: For work where extremely fine cutting edges are required, otherwise the application is the same as for TCT router bits.

HSS: High speed steel

Application: For work where extremely fine cutting edges are required: Ideal for soft wood, plastic and aluminium

Advantage: Extremely clean edges in softer materials but, has a short service life

DIA refers to router bits with daimond coated edges

Application: Generally for harder materials: chipboard, MDF, hardboard, laminates, veneers and mineral materials

Advantage: Very long service life.
6. What is the difference between a TCT bit and a solid tungsten-carbide cutter?

A TCT router bit has a steel body with Tungsten-carbide cutting tips welded on. A solid tungsten-carbide bit has the blades milled into it, they are normally in a spiral form. They are often used with CNC routing machines, especially when large amounts of material needs to be removed.
7. Can I use a groove cutting bit to drill a hole?

In principle and groove cutting router bit can be used to drill a hole. They have downward facing blades allowing a drilling action. If you are intending to make several holes a 2 bladed bit is recommended