Which router bit?

[Steven in Iowa]

I volunteered to make a custom picture frame for a friend that he is going to antique, so I'm using poplar since it takes paint so well.  What type of bit would you suggest for the rabbet?  I'm planning on doing a dado, then cutting to width to help eliminate any chipping or tear out along the edge.  Should I use a spiral or a fluted straight bit?

 

[tvgordon]

If the grain is fairly straight, either a spiral or straight bit should make a clean cut.  If you are using a dado blade, why not just cut to size with it rather than cutting to size with a router bit?

You also might want to check out the picture frame bit by Eagle America.  It cuts the rabbet for the glass and a rabbet for the mat board at the same time.

Tom.