Planing router bits

[Raptorseviltwin]

Hi
I always seem to take the hard route first ie- when leveling a slab 8ft x 15" x 2" i use a 3" plane then a 3" belt sander and still never quite get it flat. Since then i have watched the use of the router for planing on you tube and what a difference. My question is what is the best bit to use bearing in mind the size of slab? 1/4" and 1/2 collets. [eek]

 

[wow]

Hi
I always seem to take the hard route first ie- when leveling a slab 8ft x 15" x 2" i use a 3" plane then a 3" belt sander and still never quite get it flat. Since then i have watched the use of the router for planing on you tube and what a difference. My question is what is the best bit to use bearing in mind the size of slab? 1/4" and 1/2 collets. [eek]

How much variation does your slab have, i.e. how big of a 'bite' do you need to take? If you are only skimming it you can use fairly large diameter bits (7/8" or more), but if you're taking off any substantial amount of material you might not want to go beyond 3/8" - 1/2" diameter.

Also, which router do you plan on using to do this?

 

[mouppe]

I use a dish carving bit for this type of job.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=30171&cat=1,46168,69435,46173&ap=1

 

[Brent Taylor]

1/2"

 

[rvieceli]

there are lots of videos on youtube to help you get the  down.

You'll want a 1/2 inch shank router bit, the bigger the better. I work with slabs a lot and I use a router sled to flatten them. A one and a half inch diameter bit seems to a sweet spot for me.

I have been using this bit in a Festool OF2000.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T7CY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just got this Amana bit, but I haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P4JRFA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Sparktrician]

I use the Amana 45453 bit in my OF 2200 on the flattening sled I based on Nick Offerman's sled that was in Fine Woodworking some time back. 

 

[rvieceli]

I have actually been thinking about this bit:

http://amanatool.com/products/router-bits/solid-surface-router-bits/counter-top-trim-router-bits/57136-carbide-tipped-countertop-countertop-trim-6-wing-solid-surface-2-1-16-dia-x-1-4-x-1-2-inch-shank.html

But at about $80, I'm a bit reluctant to pull the trigger just to see if it will work well.

 

[wow]

I should have also pointed out that (due to a past life) I am fortunate to have a SuperMax 37x2 Drum Sander and do my panel flattening with that. As long as the panel I'm flattening is less than about 12" thick and 40" wide - and I can lift it - it goes through there

 

[Worm Drive]

Go with a 1/2" shank, large diameter bit. Take light (1/8"-1/4") passes. If you're using a sled with runners, you don't need a bearing.

Rvieceli, I don't believe that bit is designed for bottom cutting.

 

[rvieceli]

Rvieceli, I don't believe that bit is designed for bottom cutting.

I think it might be. Amana says it's for making smooth shallow recesses in solid surface material. they show a flat surface that has another smooth flat stepped down in it made by the bit. the bottom outside edges of the cutting surface are chamfered slightly which should help with tear out.

"might" being the operative word there and reason enough to keep me from plunking down 80 bucks and trying it.

 

[Kevin McConville]

Rvieceli, I don't believe that bit is designed for bottom cutting.

I think it might be. Amana says it's for making smooth shallow recesses in solid surface material. they show a flat surface that has another smooth flat stepped down in it made by the bit. the bottom outside edges of the cutting surface are chamfered slightly which should help with tear out.

"might" being the operative word there and reason enough to keep me from plunking down 80 bucks and trying it.

This bit cuts on the bottom and the edge - look at the cutaway view in the specifications section of the link you attached.  The red line indicates the cut surface as both the bottom and the edge.  This would be an ideal bit for flattening material with a sled.

 

[roblg3]

A 1/2" shank mortising bit is great for all kinds of work, dado's-mortising-rabbets-flattening, as long as you have a guide/track/fence mortising bits are versatile!

 

[Worm Drive]

Rvieceli, I don't believe that bit is designed for bottom cutting.

I think it might be. Amana says it's for making smooth shallow recesses in solid surface material. they show a flat surface that has another smooth flat stepped down in it made by the bit. the bottom outside edges of the cutting surface are chamfered slightly which should help with tear out.

"might" being the operative word there and reason enough to keep me from plunking down 80 bucks and trying it.

You are correct, I didn't scroll down, to see that cut profile. I agree with your " might work" and the high price.

 

[Raptorseviltwin]

Thanks for all the great advice, quite a lot to take in. Have watched many you tube vids. and read many reviews. Have been looking to the large bits as 20 pieces of 10ft-13ft x 14" x 2.5" slab would take a long time with the smaller bits. The price of some of the bits in the UK are dearer than the price of a bosch router. Will check some of the suggestions out. [eek]