Types of wood cutters for a hand router - what they are, purpose, types, classification, what they look like, how to choose

A manual milling machine in the hands of a master has a universal application - with its help you can create both basic household items and masterpieces of artistic processing for decoration. However, to use it correctly, you need a suitable cutting tool. Let's look at what types of cutters there are, how they are designed, what their main purpose is, what criteria they are classified by, and how to choose the right one for a specific type of wood processing.

An example of using a wood cutter on a manual machine Source prosto-instrumenty.ru

Milling cutter for a manual wood router - what is it, device, purpose

A milling cutter is the main tool with which wood is processed. The scope of application, purpose, and result depend on its technical characteristics. Despite the fact that there are many varieties of it in terms of shape and features of the cutting edge, materials and other parameters, they are all united by the general principle of the device and the presence of standard parts:

1. The cutting area, also called the head or working part. It can have different geometry, composition and blade design.
2. Shank - serves as a support for the previous element. With its help, the tool is clamped in the machine chuck, and torque is also transmitted to the main part.
3. Additional component. It is located on the very edge of the instrument - opposite the tail section. This could be a support bearing, locking couplings, screws, washers, calibration bushings and other devices. Their task is to simplify or expand the functionality of the cutter, for example, to arrange the cutting segments in the required sequence or to process the workpiece according to a given pattern.

Diagram of an end mill with designation of characteristics Source infradom.ru
Depending on the scope and purpose, modern wood cutters for a manual router allow you to solve the following types of problems:

• Forming edges. It is used when it is necessary to create parts of workpieces that are combined into one structure using a tongue-and-groove connection.
• Creation of cut-outs for installation of fittings.
• Production of decorative forms, cuttings, configurations.

Advice! Certain types of work require your own set of cutting tools. Therefore, before selecting specific types of cutters, it is necessary to determine what the nature, type and volume of wood processing work performed with their help will be.

How to choose cutters

When choosing a cutter, we pay attention to:

• Sharpening Level - Swipe across the paper to see how sharp it is.
• You will see the quality of the alloy by its shine.
• The geometry is determined by external inspection - there should be no distance from the knife to the ruler.
• Soldering - must be located along the entire length so that the cutter does not break.
• Hardness of the alloy - this indicator can be confirmed by quality documents for the product.

A novice specialist can choose budget, that is, inexpensive materials and develop practical skills with them, but in the future for professional work you should not save, otherwise it will affect the quality of the work performed.

Classification of cutters by shank size, type of design and cutting part

Cutting tools for a manual milling machine are classified primarily according to the following three criteria:

1. Tail dimensions.
2. Type of construction – prefabricated, replaceable blades, monolithic, attachment/set-on.
3. Material and method of sharpening the cutting edge.

Let's look at these parameters in more detail.

Set of cutters for woodworking Source instrumentgid.ru

Tail dimensions

In the characteristics of the tail section, the unit of diameter is of paramount importance. The designation must coincide with a similar parameter of the collet - the place where the cutter is mounted in the machine. As a rule, there are only two standards for this value:

• Millimeter. The most common sizes are 6, 8 and 12 mm.
• Inch. There are two main types - half and quarter inches, denoted - ½ and ¼, respectively.

When comparing two measurement systems, it turns out that products with similar diameters differ only by a small amount in size. Thus, 6 mm and ¼ or 6.35 mm cutters and 12 mm and ½ or 12.7 mm cutters look almost the same - however, the holder of a hand router is not adapted to securely hold any type of tool, like a drill chuck.

Therefore, a 12 mm cutter loaded into a ½-inch collet will not sit securely in the chuck and can easily fly out during processing. Likewise, if you load a ½-inch tool into a 12-mm holder, it may jam so much that you will have to come and repair the machine later.

The packaging indicates the size and other main parameters of the cutters Source goods.ru

The second important characteristic is the length of the shank. However, often when choosing the right tool in terms of shape, design, diameter and other parameters, it turns out that it is impossible to find one suitable for the processing conditions of the required length. In this case, special extension adapters come to the rescue.

It should also be remembered that such “helpers” should be used as a last resort and with caution. Since under loads, speeds and revolutions characteristic of modern machines, such a device will always have the property of a “weak link”.

Important! Metric and imperial cutting attachments are not interchangeable. And their use in this capacity can lead not only to damage to the workpiece or machine, but also risks injury to the operator.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture and storage systems

Type of construction – prefabricated, replaceable blades, monolithic, attachment/set-on

According to the design features of wood cutters, there are 4 main types:

• Prefabricated. It is made by soldering, using refractory solders, the cutting edge to a monolithic base - the shank and the head. They are distinguished by simplicity and accessibility of production.

Example of a prefabricated cylindrical cutter Source atis-market.com

• With replaceable blades. The cutting edge is a separate element, fixed to the head with screws and which the user can replace or sharpen as necessary. Some products have up to 4 working surfaces - which significantly increases the working life of the tool.
• Monolithic. The cutting part is formed directly on the base itself - by analogy with a drill. The advantage is the minimal risk of blade tearing off. However, for prolonged use it must be periodically sharpened, which over time changes the original geometry, impairs performance and leads to the need for replacement.
• Mounted/set-on. The cutting head is connected to the shank in a movable manner. This allows you to change the distance between elements and their sequence for more varied processing of workpieces.

Recommendation! To gain experience and become familiar with processing techniques, a novice user only needs to purchase prefabricated cutters. For the more experienced and professional, kit tools are the best option.

Milling cutter with replaceable blades Source prostanki.com

Material and method of sharpening the cutting edge

The large number of revolutions and the resulting high temperature in the processing zone force tool developers to use the following 2 types of metal alloys as cutting edge materials for wood cutters for hand routers:

• Tool steel. It is marked - HSS. Designed for processing low-density wood at maximum speeds. Disadvantage: when it gets into a denser environment, the cutting edge instantly becomes dull. Therefore, it is not suitable for cutting chipboard, MDF and other similar materials.
• Carbide brazing. Designated - NM. Used for processing dense wood at medium and low speeds. Can also be used for finishing machining with high cutting edge quality. However, it is often impossible to achieve the ideal degree of smoothness when finishing with an average cutter of this type.

Frame cutters with carbide-tipped blades Source zubr-rus.ru

TOP 13 best sets of cutters

Which set of cutters would you choose or recommend?

Take the survey

Varieties by processing method

In order to choose the right wood cutter for a hand router, you need to have an idea of ​​what types are used for specific types of work with workpieces. According to this characteristic, cutting tools are divided into 5 main types:

1. End.
2. Grooved.
3. Edges.
4. Combined.
5. Curvy.

Let us analyze in detail the main features and nuances of using each of them.

End

Having a structure similar to a drill, an end mill, however, differs from it in that its working part extends over the entire area of ​​the cutting edge. That is, wood is sampled with the entire head part. There are the following varieties:

• Profile.
• Spherical.
• Conical.
• Spiral.
• End
• Burr cutters (cutters).

Most end mills have a universal purpose. Thus, spiral varieties allow you to drill and select grooves, quarters, and process ends; profile varieties allow you to make grooves of complex geometry, create ornaments, trim, cutters allow you to finish surfaces, engrave, select special shapes of holes and grooves.

Wood end mill set Source fainaidea.com

Grooved

The very name of the groove cutter reveals the nature of its application - the choice of grooves. However, they differ in the following modifications:

1. Fillet. A semicircular sample is formed.
2. Conical. Creates a V-shaped groove and is also used for carving surfaces.
3. Spiral. They have a structure similar to a drill, but with a larger working part.
4. T-shaped. They are used to create grooves of the type where one part slides into another.
5. Dovetail. Similar to the above modification - with the difference that the cross-section of the base has the shape of a trapezoid.
6. Shaped. It has a wide variety of species. It is used both for making grooves and for processing ends.
7. Straight or cylindrical. Create a rectangular groove.
8. Combined. They are used to form interlocking joints - when assembling linings, panels, and panels.

Slot milling cutter with performance characteristics displayed Source static-sl.insales.ru

Recommendation! When choosing a specific type of wood cutter for a hand router, you need to have an idea of ​​what they are like in terms of workmanship, thermal strength, connection of the cutting area with the tail part and solder material. When processing hardwood, a tool with weak soldering will soon lose its longitudinal stability and quickly fail.

Edge

An edge cutter is used to create an edge that is smooth and perpendicular to the plane of the workpiece. The following types are distinguished:

• Direct. Designed to create an end perpendicular to the upper plane.
• Moulded. Straight, arched, wavy edges are formed. Used for applying complex patterns. There are also double cutters with the ability to adjust the distance between the blades.

Bosch 2607019466

• Type of cutter: end cutter.
• The number of cutters in the set is 12 pcs.
• Shank diameter – 8 mm.
• Set weight – 0.58 kg.

Our review today ends with a set of 12 professional-grade end mills from Bosch 2607019466. It copes perfectly with the most difficult tasks of shaped milling of soft and hard wood products. Thanks to the shank with a diameter of 8 mm, the products are easily fixed in the collets of most hand-held and stationary milling machines. The shank is made from hardened carbon steel. This ensures high reliability and long service life of the product. The working head itself is made of alloy steel and, to improve cutting characteristics, is equipped with solid-state soldering tips, which practically do not wear out during operation and allow them to be used for processing the hardest types of wood.

During the manufacturing process, they are balanced, which minimizes vibration and beating during operation, as well as improves the quality of the machined surface. A special feature of the design is the Easy-Pick system, which allows you to quickly and conveniently remove them from the tool collet. The cutters are supplied in a convenient plastic case with a transparent lid.

Video description

Video instructions for choosing wood cutters for a beginner:
The ends of the workpieces to be joined are given a specific profile using a specific type of cutter. They are then connected by locking into a single, durable structure. The procedure is performed without additional adjustment of the selected surfaces, since the complete tools are perfectly matched to each other.

Curvy

The figuere type cutters are intended for forming panels. Example - baseboards, furniture doors, decorative strips, etc. As a rule, the tool is quite massive, and therefore machines with a power of 1.6 kW or more are used to process workpieces with it. In this case, cutters are divided into three categories:

• Horizontal. Create a panel.
• Double-sided. A panel and tenon are formed.
• Vertical. Used for selecting the profile of skirting boards.

On a note! By itself, even a good hand router and correctly selected cutters for the type of wood processing do not guarantee the planned result. For quality work, you will need a set of suitable stops and templates.

Tips and tricks when choosing cutter sets

There are several tips to help you choose the right cutters.

1. There are models with and without bearings. Bearings are used when you need to copy multiple parts or machine ends. In other cases they are not required.
2. The size of the shank, which fully corresponds to the size of the router, otherwise it will not be possible to use the product.
3. If you plan to process hard wood, it is better to choose HSS models. They are made of high-speed steel. For soft wood, HM (carbide) cutters are suitable.

By choosing sets from this TOP list, you can be sure of their quality. The cost varies depending on what price segment the materials belong to, so everyone can find an option that suits their financial capabilities.

Video - How to choose high-quality cutters and what are their differences

Briefly about the main thing

The milling cutter is the main cutting tool of a manual milling machine. Among its main parts are:

• Cutting part.
• Shank.
• Additional components.

It is used for various roughing and finishing tasks in woodworking - cutting grooves, trimming, forming interlocking joints, cutting, decorative design, etc. Milling cutters for wood processing are classified primarily according to a number of parameters such as the diameter and length of the tail, the type of design, the material from which the cutting edge is made and the method of sharpening it.

In addition, according to the method of processing the material, they differ into end, edge, groove, combined and figured. Each modification has its own characteristics and nuances of application.

Voting for the best set of cutters

Which set of cutters would you choose or recommend?

BOSCH 12 NM SET 8MM-ХВ

12.50 % ( 4 )

Hammer 222-005, No. 2

6.25 % ( 2 )

SKRAB 37090

9.38 % ( 3 )

Metabo 631039000

37.50 % ( 12 )

Total TACSR 1121

0.00 % ( 0 )

CALIBER 0504

9.38 % ( 3 )

HUHAO Two Fluts Spiral Bits

6.25 % ( 2 )

AZKOR Aluminum HRC50

3.13 % ( 1 )

QSTEXPRESS 10pcs

3.13 % ( 1 )

DREANIQUE 12PCS-D6SET

3.13 % ( 1 )

JGZUI

6.25 % ( 2 )

XINGWEIQIANG TF-YT10

3.13 % ( 1 )

Types of cutter blades

When examining cutter blades for a manual wood router, the following types and types are found:

• knives made of high-speed steel. Marked with the letters HSS. It is necessary to choose when working with soft wood;
• knives made of carbide metals. Marking – HM. Mainly used for working with hard materials. Durable and resistant to elevated temperatures.

In addition, there are a number of varieties of blade shapes:

• vertical;
• inclined;
• spiral.

Inclined ones provide a better quality end result by cutting pieces of wood rather than chopping down, as vertical knives do.