![]() ![]() ![]() Install the straight bit in your router table, and raise it about 1/4-in. Hair-splitting accuracy isn’t crucial here - just get them close. Mark your workpiece with a couple short reference lines for centering the bit on the thickness of the wood. straight bit or spiral upcut bit makes an ideal groove-cutter into the edge of a workpiece. Step 1: Generally speaking, it’s easier to cut the groove of a T&G joint first, then mill the tongue to fit the groove. You can do it all at the router table easily with three different cutter approaches. Cutting the narrow centered groove and the corresponding tongue to fit into it doesn’t take a dado blade and table saw. There are DIY applications for this joint too, such as V-groove wainscot or wood flooring. Tongue-and-groove (T&G) joints form sturdy, interlocking connections with lots of glue surface area for all sorts of woodworking applications: cabinet door joints, self-aligning shelf edging, web or face frames and even carcass assembly. No matter which you ultimately choose, be sure to follow proper woodworking practices, including wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eyewear when you’re operating a router.There’s no need for a dado blade if you have a router table and a few common bits. For a quality pair of bits from an industry leader, consider the selections from either Whiteside or Freud, both of which made our list thanks to their durable builds and overall reliability.įor the convenience of an included carrying case, check out the Yoniko and CMT sets featured here, the former of which comes with a sturdy, latched wooden box, and the latter of which includes a bright orange, foam-lined container that’s sure to stand out on your workbench. ![]() When possible, you might opt for a half-inch shank set, as they produce less vibration and usually deliver a smoother cut than their thinner counterparts do. If your router only accepts bits with quarter-inch shanks, look to the practical Bosch 84623M, which only consists of a single bit that’s cleverly designed to be able to create each of the two components of your tongue and groove joint. One factor to consider when purchasing router bits is shank size. Also, utilize a safety guard and avoid working with small pieces of stock. In addition, use push blocks when needed to keep your hands a safe distance from the bit. No matter set which you go with, as we mentioned in our previous update, follow safe woodworking practices by wearing eye and ear protection. Note that it’s not intended for use with handheld routers. This one features a 1/2-inch shank and is made up of tempered steel. For another model from a well-known name in the industry, check out the Bosch 84623M which, like the Porter-Cable selection, consists of just one shank after you use the full assembly to create the tongue component of your joint, simply remove one of the cutters to forge the grooved piece. The Freud set is covered in a patented coating to reduce pitch buildup, while the components of the Whiteside model are made of tough premium carbide, and their precision-ground build ensures they’ll stay balanced at high RPMs. We kept the Freud Adjustable Set and the Whiteside 5990 in their top slots, as both of these are from established brands in woodworking tools and can be counted on for clean and precise results. We considered adding in a 1/4-inch-shank Tacklife RB31C, but decided to leave it out due to mixed reviews, including some users who felt it cut through stock too roughly. It’s made by a century-old tool manufacturer that’s now a subsidiary of Black & Decker. Included are three-wing slot cutters, a 1/2-inch arbor bearing, and the shims and spacers to allow you to adjust it, as needed. This tool proves useful for projects like T-molding installations and weather stripping. It comes with the components you need for creating not only tongue-and-groove joints but also rabbets and dadoes, so it can serve as a slot cutter router bit as well. In today’s update, we added in the Porter-Cable 43392PC, a versatile 1/2-inch shank set. ![]()
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