router bits
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=45734
Printed Date: April 28, 2024 at 1:52 AM
Topic: router bits
Posted By: realitycheck
Subject: router bits
Date Posted: December 21, 2004 at 11:09 PM
Alright guys, I just got home from my girlfriends house, she gave me a router for christmas. I'm fired up about it no more rounding the mdf rings w/ a dremel tool. Anyway, I have a question for you guys that use routers, I have never used a router before, I'm definately just going to play around with it before I do anything involving boxes or something. Alright my question is this what bits do I need to buy to use for fiberglassing? Im going to lowes this sunday so I need to know exactly what type bits I should buy for fiberglassing. Thanks for the help guys Realitycheck ------------- Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Replies:
Posted By: Carbonb
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 12:19 AM
All you need is a small straight bit. You will find it in the tools section of lowes. You will see a lot of different types of router bits.
For doing a lot of other type of cutting jobs. LIke design type bits and round over bits. All you are going to want is a straight bit. Looks like a little cylinder with 2 thing blades pointing inward.
There is a big one and a small one, I'd get the small one. That's about all you need. For MDF you could buy a 3/4" roundoover bit to make the edges look nice on a box for when you carpet it.
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 8:01 AM
Well I was going to get a roundover bit, also because I need that to do the speaker rings and make them well rounded. hehe, So what is the straight bit mainly used for? And can anyone else think of any more bits I would need? ------------- Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: Stlb5
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 8:53 AM
The straight bit is used for flat out cutting, when you want to go all the way through the MDF, like for cutting out speaker rings. You'll be looking for a spiral upcut bit. I priced these at Lowes and they were about $20. I went online and finally found some from American Carbide that were only $10 a piece. Shipping was only a few bucks so it was a much better deal than Lowes. Other than that, the roundover is the only other one I use.
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 9:40 AM
Well thanks for the help guys, I dont think I need the spiral upcut bit because I have a jig saw I use for cutting. What do you mean by the straight bit is used for "Flat out cutting"?
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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 9:59 AM
Also what sizes should I get they keep saying on the lowes website 1/2inch, 1/4 inch and that stuff which should I get?
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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: redlight831
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 10:00 AM
well i dont use this bit for fiberglassing but i use a flush trim bit all the time. it does exactley what the name says.
Posted By: Stlb5
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 10:27 AM
What size is the collet on your router? Most have 1/2" and come with a 1/4" adaptor. 1/4" bits have worked just fine for me. MDF isn't too tough. I use the spiral upcut for cutting out circles, that's what I mean for flat out cutting. You're not rounding or putting any kind of edge on it, you're going all the way through the wood. That's really the main reason people buy routers for audio projects, speaker cut outs, and for that, you need a spiral up cut bit.
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 10:50 AM
So is that cut out bit a lot more accurate " I guess would be the word" than a jig saw or something? Also when im looking at it it says like 5/16 inch roundover with 1/4" s, I realize that means shank. But I mean which size roundover do you need? Thanks for the help man, I really appreciate it! ------------- Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: Stlb5
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 11:05 AM
I use a 1/2" round over because my flush rings are only 1/2" wide. You can really use whatever size you want. Once you put a few layers of glass over it, you really can't tell what size the roundover is. The larger the round over, the more surface the glass has to bond to. And as far as using the router to cut cirlces, yes yes yes, forget the jigsaw! Get a circle cutting jig and it will be perfect every time. Most people really like the Jasper Circle cutting jig.
Posted By: Carbonb
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 11:37 AM
Yeah I'd get the Jasper Circle Cutting jig, if only it wasn't 40 bucks.
I've tried using upward spiral bits, but for some reason I can't get them to cut straight. They usually won't cut very fast and maybe I'm just doing it wrong?
Posted By: Stlb5
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 12:43 PM
again, look at Amazon for the Jasper, got mine for $30.
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 1:19 PM
Awesome, well I'll be going to get the 1/2 inch roundover the small size straight bit. And ill be looking into the jasper circle jig. Thanks again for the info guys. ------------- Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 1:27 PM
Okay I looked at the jasper jig and there is several different models which model is the one you guys are talking about. theres this one https://www.c3scripts.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?asinsearch=B00009K77C This one https://www.c3scripts.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?asinsearch=B00009K77A and this one https://www.c3scripts.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?asinsearch=B00009K77D And how do they work? ------------- Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: Stlb5
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 1:27 PM
Like I said, Lowes has them for about $20 a piece. Try these guys, I had good luck with them for only $10 a piece: https://www.american-carbide.com/
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 1:43 PM
No I was asking about the jasper jig but I did a little google research and found out more info on them. Yeah your right those things are really expensive.
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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: Stlb5
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 1:46 PM
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: December 22, 2004 at 1:53 PM
Awesome man I put my email for them to notice me as soon as they get them instock thanks man thats awesome price for that combo. I really do appreciate the help guys!
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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: playr747
Date Posted: December 27, 2004 at 8:27 AM
1/4 inch chank is enough. Roundover bits different sizes, Rabbeting bit different size bearings. Flush trim bit with bearing and an straight flute bit no bearing. These are the only bits I use.
Posted By: playr747
Date Posted: December 27, 2004 at 8:27 AM
1/4 inch shank is enough. Roundover bits different sizes, Rabbeting bit different size bearings. Flush trim bit with bearing and an straight flute bit no bearing. These are the only bits I use.
Posted By: audiomechanic
Date Posted: January 01, 2005 at 10:00 PM
a flush cut bit, a rabbet bit with a lot of different bearing, i recommend the amana one and the bit set. if you are doing any kind of plexi work i would get the 1/2 inch shank bits. and spiral flush bits work waaaay better. if you cant get spiral bits, get a 3 fluted bit, it will cut faster and cleaner. another good bit is a chamfer bit, it cuts at a 45 degree angle. as for the roundover bits, get a few sizes, small radius' work better for thinner wood like 1/2 inch.
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