Many surfacing router bits are capable of doing a great job on woodworking. If you want to get the perfect one, you have to pay attention to several selection criteria.
Shank Size
Shank is the cylindrical bottom of a router bit that is inserted into the router’s collet. Actually, the core value of a router bit depends on its shank size.
The most commonly used shank widths are ½ inch and ¼ inch. Both of those can be attached to a wide variety of routers. The ½ inch shanks are more efficient, versatile, reliable, and suitable for large jobs.
On the other hand, the ¼ inch shanks are good for light jobs which don’t need any kind of deep cutting.
Blade Material
The blade is the only part of a router bit that comes in direct contact with the wooden surface. Only a higher quality blade can ensure efficient surfacing and wood planing.
There are basically three different materials that are widely used as the blade material. Those are carbide, steel alloy, solid steel, etc. Most novice users tend to feel the urge of purchasing steel routers because of their lower price range. The most efficient blade material is carbide. It is more rigid and provides better service in the long run.
Installation
Installing a blade in the router bit feels like a walk in the park. Most of the blades are attached to the shank by using screws. So, you’ll need nothing but a simple screwdriver to attach or remove the blades.
Compatibility
Router bits are available in different shapes and designs. It’s obvious that not all of these will suit your machine. However, most of the advanced router bits are compatible with a wide range of router collets. Thus, people don’t manually check the compatibility issue most of the time.
But, different machines require different router bits to get the most perfect result. So, check the router bit properly whether it is compatible with your device or not before purchasing. It will save both time and money in the long run.
RPM
The Revolutions Per Minute aka RPM indicates the number of rotations per minute. The higher RPM will help you to get your job done within a minimum time.
Tool Balancing
Vibration is one of the most distracting factors for professional woodworkers. It not only hinders the delicate wood design but also ruins the surface. So, you must choose a router bit that doesn’t vibrate excessively while spinning.
However, you must keep an eye on the spinning issue too. Only a combination of good spinning and reduced vibration can deliver you the ultimate surfaced wood.
