Ovolo & Round Over Bits

About Ovolo & Round Over Bits

Ovolo and round over router bits are essential profiling cutters used to create decorative edges and smooth rounded profiles on timber workpieces. These bearing-guided router cutters remove sharp edges and add professional finishing touches to furniture, joinery, skirting boards, architraves, and cabinetry. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of ovolo and round over bits from trusted brands including Trend, Draper, and Faithfull, suitable for both handheld and table-mounted routers.

Round over bits create simple curved edges in various radii, whilst ovolo cutters produce elegant S-shaped profiles combining a concave curve with a small flat section. Many combination bits available at MyToolShed offer both profiles in a single cutter, providing excellent value and versatility for joiners and cabinet makers. Available with bearing guidance systems, these bits ensure consistent results when following templates or working freehand along straight and curved edges.

Applications

• Joiners and carpenters: creating decorative mouldings, door frames, window surrounds, and skirting board profiles
• Cabinet makers: softening sharp edges on cupboard doors, shelving, drawer fronts, and furniture components
• Shopfitters: finishing display units, counters, and commercial joinery installations
• Furniture manufacturers: producing consistent edge profiles on tables, chairs, and bedroom furniture
• Window fabricators: routing glazing bar ovolo joints and traditional window frame profiles
• DIY enthusiasts: adding professional finishing touches to home improvement projects and custom woodwork
• Restoration specialists: matching period mouldings and replicating historic architectural details

Choosing The Right Ovolo & Round Over Bits

Select the appropriate radius or profile size to match your project requirements – common round over radii range from 3mm to 16mm. Consider whether you need a bearing-guided cutter for template work or edge following, as most professional bits from MyToolShed.co.uk include this feature for enhanced control and consistency.

Check the shank diameter matches your router collet – typically 6mm or 8mm for smaller bits, and 1/4" or 1/2" for larger cutters. Ensure your router's power output is sufficient for the cutter diameter you're using; larger profile bits require more powerful machines, typically 1200W or above for 240v routers.

The CraftPro range from Trend offers excellent value for regular users, whilst premium Trend bits suit professional tradespeople requiring extended tool life. Consider combination ovolo and round over bits for maximum versatility, or specialist cutters like handrail bits and glazing bar joints for specific applications. Always verify the maximum safe speed rating and choose tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) cutters for durability when working with abrasive materials or high-volume production runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ovolo and round over bits?

Round over bits create a simple quarter-circle curve along the edge, whilst ovolo cutters produce an S-shaped profile featuring a concave curve above a small flat section (fillet). Ovolo profiles are more decorative and traditionally used in period joinery, whereas round over edges provide a softer, more contemporary finish.

Can I use these bits in a router table?

Yes, ovolo and round over bits work excellently in router tables, often providing better control and consistency than handheld routing. The bearing guide runs along the fence or workpiece edge, ensuring uniform profile depth. Always ensure adequate dust extraction and proper guarding when table-routing.

How do I prevent burning when using profile bits?

Keep cutters sharp, maintain appropriate feed rates (not too slow), and ensure your router speed suits the bit diameter. Multiple shallow passes produce better results than single deep cuts. Clean resin build-up from bearings regularly, as seized bearings cause friction burning on workpieces.