Hey everyone! I just bought a Bosch 1617 router kit that comes with a plunge and fixed base, plus an edge guide. I'm gearing up to purchase my first set of router bits and would love some advice. My projects include building shelving for printer paper, heavy-duty storage, and a slotted board for clipboards. I'm keeping it simple with birch plywood and using dados and domino-style tenons. I've got my eye on three Whiteside spiral bits: a 1/8" downcut, a 3/8" downcut, and a 5mm upcut spiral. The downcut bits will help me cut dados neatly, while the upcut will be for the mortises. I noticed that the 3/8" bits are significantly cheaper than their 1/2" counterparts, so I've decided to get a Bosch 3/8" collet chuck to make the switch. Am I making any mistakes with my bit choices? Looking forward to your thoughts! 🙂
2 Answers
It sounds like you're hitting the ground running! Just a heads up from my experience: for different types of materials, like hardwood versus plywood, your bit choices might vary. Downcuts are great for plywood to avoid top veneer chipping, which you’re aware of. And good call on getting the 3/8" collet chuck—those bits can be a great value! You've done your homework, so I think you’ll do great!
It's impressive how much you've researched! Diving into woodworking can be tricky, but starting out with quality bits will definitely help!
You’re definitely on the right track with your choices! For plywood, the downcut bits are ideal as they help minimize chipping on the top surface. Since you're working with dados, those will serve you well. Personally, I like using upcut bits for hardwood since chipping isn't a concern there, but you’ve done your research and seem prepared! I also prefer 1/2" shank bits for their stability, but the 3/8" bits should work just fine for your projects. Good luck!
For a first-time router user, all this detail sounds promising! Props for your research. I started with just a jigsaw too, so I get where you’re coming from.