I am trying to order a set of the appropriate sized router bits to be able to mortise for 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" plywood, knowing that plywood is undersized. I would like to be able to use them with my 1010 router, so 8mm or 1/4" shanks are preferred. What size bits should I get and are Festool router bits still being brought to the US? Their availability seems very spotty...
Mortise Router Bits for Plywood
- Thread starter bwiele
- Start date
You might want to investigate this approach:
http://www.halfinchshy.com/2011/06/bridge-city-km-1-kerfmaker-users-guide.html
http://www.halfinchshy.com/2011/06/bridge-city-km-1-kerfmaker-users-guide.html
The trouble with the undersized plywood bits is that they will only really fit some plywood well since some of it is imperial undersized and some is metric, and some is metric mislabeled with imperial.
However this place has just about everything in the good quality name brands (except Festool [doh]) with pretty good price and $1 shipping.
Router Bit World
Seth
However this place has just about everything in the good quality name brands (except Festool [doh]) with pretty good price and $1 shipping.
Router Bit World
Seth
A Kerfmaker is probably the best bet for precise fits.
Lee Valley has nominal ply bits with 1/2" shanks: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=49888&cat=1,46168,46171
Lee Valley has nominal ply bits with 1/2" shanks: http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=49888&cat=1,46168,46171
Zacharytanner
Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2009
- Messages
- 569
I just ordered my Kerfmaster this week after watching Paul M's video... Can't wait
Wow, this looks like almost the exact same question I asked 4 or 5 days ago 
I bought the Freud undersized plywood bit 1/4" shank and 23/32" width. It's like 1/64 narrower then the ply I am using so I had to make a jig and do two passes to get the correct width. The bit is really good quality but 1/2" pattern bit with the jig does the same thing. The jig I made is a wooden T with a sliding straight edge on one of the T arms basically. Using a pattern bit you can just put the wood between the two guides and lock down the sliding side then just run your pattern bit along the channel between the edges. With the straight ply bit, you need to use a guide insert and add some spacers to get the width of the channel right.
Pattern bit is easier...
Just my thought after going though the same process.
-Jim
I bought the Freud undersized plywood bit 1/4" shank and 23/32" width. It's like 1/64 narrower then the ply I am using so I had to make a jig and do two passes to get the correct width. The bit is really good quality but 1/2" pattern bit with the jig does the same thing. The jig I made is a wooden T with a sliding straight edge on one of the T arms basically. Using a pattern bit you can just put the wood between the two guides and lock down the sliding side then just run your pattern bit along the channel between the edges. With the straight ply bit, you need to use a guide insert and add some spacers to get the width of the channel right.
Pattern bit is easier...
Just my thought after going though the same process.
-Jim
