Router Bits & Accessories
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About Router Bits & Accessories
Router bits and accessories are essential cutting tools for professional joiners, carpenters, and woodworking enthusiasts who demand precision and versatility. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks an extensive range of router cutters designed for both handheld and table-mounted routers, covering everything from decorative edge profiling to complex joinery work. Whether you're creating elegant mouldings, cutting precise joints, or machining kitchen worktops, having the right router bit makes all the difference to the quality and efficiency of your work.
The collection at MyToolShed includes specialist bits for every routing application, from classic ogee and ovolo profiles to functional dovetail and hinge cutters. Available in various shank sizes to suit different router collets, these professional-grade cutters feature tungsten carbide tips (TCT) for extended life and clean cuts across softwoods, hardwoods, and sheet materials. Complementary accessories such as router tables, collets, guides, and cutter sets help maximise the capabilities of your routing equipment.
Applications
- Joiners and carpenters – creating traditional joints, fitting doors, and producing custom mouldings
- Kitchen fitters – cutting worktop joints, drainage grooves, and hob recesses
- Cabinet makers – edge profiling, raised panel doors, and decorative detailing
- Shop fitters – rebating for glass, trimming laminates, and edge finishing
- Furniture makers – creating dovetails, mortises, and decorative profiles
- DIY enthusiasts – home improvement projects, crafting, and woodworking hobbies
- Restoration specialists – replicating period mouldings and architectural details
Choosing The Right Router Bits & Accessories
Shank size: Ensure compatibility with your router's collet – common sizes include 6mm, 8mm, and 1/4" or 1/2" imperial shanks. Larger diameter cutters require 1/2" shanks for stability and safety.
Cutter profile: Select based on your specific application – decorative profiles for edge treatment, straight cutters for grooving and trimming, or specialist bits for joints and worktop fabrication.
Material quality: Tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) bits offer superior longevity and performance compared to high-speed steel (HSS), particularly when working with abrasive materials like MDF or chipboard.
Bearing guides: Top or bottom-mounted bearings allow template following and edge profiling without requiring a fence, essential for curved work and consistent results.
Router compatibility: Match bit size and cutting depth to your router's power rating – larger profile cutters and panel raisers require more powerful routers, typically 1200W or above running on 240v mains supply.
Safety Information
Always wear appropriate PPE including eye protection and hearing defenders when routing. Ensure bits are securely tightened in the collet and check the maximum safe speed rating, particularly for large-diameter cutters. Never exceed the recommended depth of cut – make multiple shallow passes rather than one deep cut. Disconnect power before changing bits, and always feed workpieces against the direction of cutter rotation. Keep hands clear of the cutting area and use push sticks or featherboards when working on router tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 1/4" and 1/2" shank router bits?
The 1/2" shank provides greater stability and reduced vibration, making it essential for larger profile cutters and heavy-duty applications. MyToolShed.co.uk recommends 1/2" shanks for bits over 25mm diameter and all panel-raising cutters for safer, cleaner results.
How do I know when router bits need replacing?
Signs include burning marks on timber, rough cut surfaces, increased effort required to feed material, and visible damage to carbide tips. Regular inspection and proper storage will maximise cutter life.
Can I use the same router bits in handheld routers and router tables?
Yes, most router bits work in both applications, though larger panel-raising and heavy profiling cutters are safer and more controllable when used in a table-mounted router with appropriate guarding and dust extraction.