Just remember that you should use the bit that cuts away from your show face (assuming you don’t have a compression flush trim bit).

The short flute version we have comes in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" widths. The new KMT compression bits are the shortest flute versions on the market — which makes them much more usable in a handheld router as well as a CNC.

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In our new lineup, we have ¼ inch up-cut, down-cut, and compression bits (as well as a 3 pack of all of them) that solve this issue.

UP-CUT BITS✓ Grooves in straight grained hardwoods like maple, walnut, or oak✓ For clean edges on opposite side of your stock from the tool✓ Plunge cutting

What router bit did i need for a mortise lock in a wooden door for deep cuts , please let me buy the right one thank you .

Spiral bits can be used on a handheld router or CNC for a range of cuts, including dados, rabbets, grooves, plunge cuts, and through cuts.

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For any material that’s liable to chip out — like highly figured wood, plywood, and other veneers — you’re better off using a down-cut bit (or compression, but we’ll get to those in a minute).

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It also means they aren’t great for plunging straight down. If you need to plunge with them, it’s best to do it while moving, like ramping on the CNC.

Appreciate your advice on bits! UFor pocketing a large area of hardwood that needs to be smooth and flat on a CNC, which bit would you recommend? Appreciate also any tip on cherry, which seems to tear more easily than maple/walnut. Thanks!

On a router table, that means a down-cut bit when the show face is facing down towards the router and an up-cut bit when the show face is facing up towards you.

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Compression bits can be problematic for small parts on the CNC, as the up-cut portion can pull up on small tabs and snap them off. Make sure to thicken up or add extra tabs in your CAM file.

In the past, good ¼ inch spiral bits were really hard to find. It’s tough to make a bearing that small capable of spinning at 12k-24k RPMs.

All of the router bits we sell (1/4 and 1/2 inch) are Astra Coated. This is Bits&Bits proprietary heat and lubrication coating that extends tool life 2–4x longer than uncoated bits.

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They can be advantageous with small parts on the CNC because they pack sawdust into the kerf, helping parts stay where they are.

Wow ! What great information on the proper way to use a router, and also advice on what bits to use, and how to use them. Much appreciated !

It’s why you run a hand plane along a board sideways instead of straight on, why many table saw blades have angled teeth, and why segmented cutterheads are better on planers and jointers.

They’re my go-to bits on the router and CNC for everything from shallow grooves, to full depth cuts, to edge-jointing and flush trimming.

Wow ! What great information on the proper way to use a router, and also advice on what bits to use, and how to use them. Much appreciated !

What router bit did i need for a mortise lock in a wooden door for deep cuts , please let me buy the right one thank you .

When we say the cutting direction is “up” or “down,” we’re talking about the direction the blades cut in relation to the tool — not the piece of wood.

If I’m cutting a groove or dado in straight grained hardwood like walnut or maple (which are less prone to tearout), I’ll use my up-cut bit.

I’m going to explain how spiral bits work, why I prefer them over traditional straight bits, and how to get the best results with down-cut, up-cut, and compression bits.

You can run them about 50% faster on the CNC. We have a video coming out soon about feeds and speeds, but for now we have recommended settings in the description of all out bits

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As always, your instructions are detailed, well thoughtout and practical. I am a member of The Villages Woodworkers Club [TVWC] and we recommend new & experienced member to review your videos & blogs often, especially if a member is unfamiliar or has not recently used the equipment. This makes a huge difference because this also shows how to safely use equipment and the proper methods to use for all components. It’s easy to see the members that subscribe, we all wear your aprons… Thank you.

Spiral bits (the straight bit’s younger, better-looking cousin) cut faster, cleaner, and stay sharp longer than traditional bits.

Spiral router bits have angled cutting edges, called flutes, that wrap around the bit in a spiral (who would’ve guessed).

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The shear cutting angle of spiral bits is way more efficient, leading to less vibration, less tearout, and less burning.

Thank you for this very informative and understandable explanation. I am new to using a hand held router and this and your other videos have helped in giving confidence in its safe use. I have subscribed.?

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For example, if you have a compression bit with a 1/4" up-cut portion, then your first pass needs to be at least .05" deeper than 1/4".

As always, your instructions are detailed, well thoughtout and practical. I am a member of The Villages Woodworkers Club [TVWC] and we recommend new & experienced member to review your videos & blogs often, especially if a member is unfamiliar or has not recently used the equipment. This makes a huge difference because this also shows how to safely use equipment and the proper methods to use for all components. It’s easy to see the members that subscribe, we all wear your aprons… Thank you.

Appreciate your advice on bits! UFor pocketing a large area of hardwood that needs to be smooth and flat on a CNC, which bit would you recommend? Appreciate also any tip on cherry, which seems to tear more easily than maple/walnut. Thanks!

Thank you for this very informative and understandable explanation. I am new to using a hand held router and this and your other videos have helped in giving confidence in its safe use. I have subscribed.?

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In addition to ¼, ⅜, and ½ inch spiral bits in up-cut, down-cut, and short flute compression — we have a brand new type of ¼ inch flush trim bit.

The angled flutes have a lot of advantages: better chip evacuation, less heat buildup, and cleaner edges — depending on the type you use.

Now that Bits&Bits and I have released a new Short Flute version, this has become my absolute go-to bit for all through cuts — especially on the CNC.

We’ve partnered with Bits&Bits to release a line of Katz-Moses Tools Astra Coated Bits. These are my favorite bits — with an added Katz-Moses twist (dad-level pun intended).

As I always preach, investing in high-quality consumables will cost you significantly less time and money down the line.

The plunging ability lets you quickly hog out material. And for through mortises, you’ll get a clean edge on the show face for exposed tenons.

It lets you quickly switch the orientation of your workpiece so you can work with grain direction without having to change your bit or make dangerous climb cuts (here’s a video all about template routing).

Once I started using Astra Coated bits, my consumables cost dropped by 68% in our production shop (even though they cost more up front).

On a handheld router or CNC, down-cut bits do in fact cut “down.” But throw that same bit on a router table, and now it’s technically cutting “up.”

DOWN-CUT BITS✓ Grooves in tearout-prone materials like highly figured wood, plywood, and other veneers✓ For clean edge on the tool-side of your stock✓ Cutting small parts on the CNC

They’re great for cutting grooves with super crisp edges, especially in tearout-prone materials like highly figured wood, plywood, and other veneers.

I’ve been using Bits&Bits’ bits (seeing double?) for years — and we’ve recently partnered with them to create a line of my favorite router bits.