Cut layers of material flush to one another or make cuts along a template.

Carbide-tipped high-speed steel bits are for use on wood and plastic laminate.

Use carbide bits for longer tool life and faster cutting speeds than high-speed steel. Micrograin carbide bits provide superior wear resistance, long tool life, and a cleaner finish than bits made of other materials. Diamond-tipped carbide bits are for use on aluminum and composites.

Solid pilots guide the bit while routing. They are more durable than ball-bearing bits. Ball-bearing pilots guide the bit for accurate cuts and produce less friction than solid pilots for smoother operation.

Pilot location describes the position of the pilot when the bit is used for hand routing. The pilot location is reversed when using the bit with a router table. Bottom-pilot bits trim material from an upper layer of the workpiece so that it is flush with the layer below. In addition to flush trimming, they can be used to cut along a template placed below the workpiece. Top-pilot bits cut a lower layer of the workpiece flush to the layer above. In addition to flush trimming, they can be used for pattern cutting with a template placed above the workpiece.

Bits with straight flutes are for general purpose use. They quickly remove material, leaving a rough finish.

Bits with spiral flutes leave a smoother finish than straight-flute bits and make plunge cuts more easily (for plunge-cutting bits). Bits with upward and downward chip removal are also known as compression bits. Acting like scissors, they move chips away from the top and bottom edges of the cut for a smooth finish on both.

Choose a bit with one flute for a faster cut; bits with more flutes produce a smoother finish.

Bits with a plunge cut type let you cut directly into the workpiece from above. Other bits are best for operations where the peripheral teeth do most of the work such as trimming, contouring, and finishing.

Bits with an overhang cutoff edge remove most of the excess material from the edge of workpieces such as countertops and sink cutouts, but they leave some material leftover for precise trimming after the installation. This process minimizes the risk of chipping laminate during installation and produces a clean, professional finish.