Also known as O-flute bits, the flutes on these bits are open and rounded for efficient chip removal when cutting aluminum. This also reduces heat to prevent melting or warping. Use these bits to create square slots, pockets, and edges. They are plunge cutting, letting you cut directly into the workpiece from above. They do not have a pilot, so guide your router along a straight edge when hand routing to make accurate cuts.

High-speed steel bits can be used with hand routers, router tables, and CNC machines.

Carbide bits have a longer life and faster cutting speeds than high-speed steel bits. Their extreme hardness makes them brittle, so they’re not recommended for use with hand tools. A highly rigid setup, such as a CNC machine, is necessary to keep bits from breaking. Zirconium-nitride (ZrN) coated carbide bits have a smoother cutting edge than uncoated bits, so they generate less friction when cutting. This helps keep temperatures down when cutting at high speeds, minimizing material buildup and extending the life of the bit.

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. Bits with upward chip removal lift chips up for applications that require a smooth finish on the bottom edge of the cut. Securely clamp the workpiece before routing to prevent lifting. Bits with downward chip removal push chips down for applications that require a smooth finish on the cut's top edge.

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

With a diamond coating, these bits resist wear when used on abrasive materials, making them last about 50 times longer than uncoated bits. Their sharp cutting edges and flute shapes are specifically designed to cut through tough materials such as composites with minimal resistance. This means less strain on your router and more control when cutting, leading to a smooth cut. Bits are made of solid carbide for longer tool life and faster cutting speeds than high-speed steel.

Diamond-Pattern Flutes—Small, staggered teeth aggressively cut, yet leave a smooth finish.

Use bits with a square cut style to cut slots, pockets, and edges.

Plunge-cutting bits 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.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.