What are the 1/4" router bits good for?
 

I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
advantage over a wider shank?

"Newbie" wrote in message
...
I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
advantage over a wider shank?

I wouldn't say a low end market as a 1/4" shank can be every bit as good in
quality.

Some small routers use them easily and some small sized bits are only made
with the 1/4" shank. Like the 1/8" cutters from solid carbide.

When you get into larger sizes and heavier work, do you want that large bit
spinning at 22,000 rpm on a hefty shank or a skinny one? That would be like
putting your 1/2 ton pickup on 13" wheels with 6.50 tires.

Invoking the penis theory here, I don't know of any advantage of small over
large.

On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 14:29:24 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski"
wrote:



Invoking the penis theory here, I don't know of any advantage of small over
large.


When's it's caught in the zipper?

Just had too, sorry!

Allyn

"Ba r r y" wrote in message
...
| On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 08:46:34 -0500, "Newbie"
| wrote:
|
| I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
| only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
| advantage over a wider shank?
|
| I like 1/4" shanks for 1/4" and smaller straight bits and any bit
| that'll get used in my laminate trimmer. I haven't seen any
| advantage of a 1/4" bit with a 1/2" shank, other than the convenience
| of not having to change a collet.
|
| Laminate trimmers are excellent tools for light hinge mortising, small
| roundovers, small chamfers, and of course, laminate trimming. They
| are small enough to be very easy to control for freehand work. I've
| even used it for freehand rough cleanout of hand cut, half blind
| dovetails.

Interesting...I have Bosch 1617 dual base. Would you use it as a laminate
trimmer? I'd like to try it as jointer. I am still looking for a catalog of
Bosch router accessories. I may need new glasses, but I couldn't find it
anywhere on boschtools.com. Perhaps you know...

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
...
|
| "Newbie" wrote in message
| ...
| I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
| only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
| advantage over a wider shank?
|
|
| When you get into larger sizes and heavier work, do you want that large
bit
| spinning at 22,000 rpm on a hefty shank or a skinny one? That would be
like
| putting your 1/2 ton pickup on 13" wheels with 6.50 tires.


Well...don't bit designers keep some ratios in mind?

|
| Invoking the penis theory here, I don't know of any advantage of small
over
| large.

.....Can boldly go where no larger penis has gone before...

|
|

"Newbie" wrote in message

|
| When you get into larger sizes and heavier work, do you want that large
bit
| spinning at 22,000 rpm on a hefty shank or a skinny one? That would be
like
| putting your 1/2 ton pickup on 13" wheels with 6.50 tires.


Well...don't bit designers keep some ratios in mind?

Sure, some bits are only made in 1/2" for that reason. Same principal
applies though, a larger diameter shank will always be superior in collet
holding, flex, shear strength, etc.

In article ,
Ba r r y wrote:

On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 11:09:59 -0500, "Newbie"
wrote:


Interesting...I have Bosch 1617 dual base. Would you use it as a laminate
trimmer?

Any router can trim laminate.

What makes the "laminate trimmer" routers nice for freehand work is
the small size, much smaller than a standard 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 HP model.

Barry

I always have a laminate trimmer with an 3/32" roundover bit close to me
anywhere I am working. Couldn't live without one.

1/4" routers are good for smaller work...

1/2" for bigger.

I tend to use my 1/4" for adding decorative mouldings and my 1/2" for eg
routing out stair housings.

1/4" probably getting used more and if I can do the job with my trend 1/4" I
will as it's easier to manage

cheers

Nicholas


--
Nicholas Buttle - Quality Joinery and Cabinet Making
http://www.nbjoinery.net


--


"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
m...

"Newbie" wrote in message

|
| When you get into larger sizes and heavier work, do you want that large
bit
| spinning at 22,000 rpm on a hefty shank or a skinny one? That would be
like
| putting your 1/2 ton pickup on 13" wheels with 6.50 tires.


Well...don't bit designers keep some ratios in mind?

Sure, some bits are only made in 1/2" for that reason. Same principal
applies though, a larger diameter shank will always be superior in collet
holding, flex, shear strength, etc.

Why are there 16- and 8- oz hammers as well as 20-oz framers?

The smaller ones are easier on your thumbs.

"Duane Bozarth" wrote in message
...
Why are there 16- and 8- oz hammers as well as 20-oz framers?

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 09:30:44 -0800, mac davis
wrote:
On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 08:46:34 -0500, "Newbie" wrote:

I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
advantage over a wider shank?

well, I'm far from a "tool purist", but I use 1/4" bits in the table and free
hand routers and 1/2" in the shopsmith for drill press style routing... works
fine for me, but I'm still in the wood destroying stage.. *g*



Some smaller diameter cutters only seem to be made in 1/4" shank.

Generally speaking, a quality bit is a quality bit. A 1/4" shank
Whiteside bit is a better cutter than a 1/2" shank cutter from Home
Depot.

I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with a 1/4" shank for
small diameter cutters. They get a bad rap because of the abundance of
available 1/4" shank bits out there in Borg grade.

In general, if a larger shank is available, AND it fits into your
workspace, you want to use the larger shank. You also, in general, want
to use the shortest bit that will do the job at hand.

If you need an 1/8" core box bit, I don't think there's much problem
with using the 1/4" shank version. Indeed, I'm not sure I've ever seen
an 1/8" core box bit on a 1/2" shank, though I imagine someone must make
one.

1/2" bits are too tight a fit in my router's 1/4" collet.

On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 08:46:34 -0500, "Newbie"
wrote:

I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
advantage over a wider shank?

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 18:00:54 GMT, Charles Krug wrote:

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 09:30:44 -0800, mac davis
wrote:
On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 08:46:34 -0500, "Newbie" wrote:

I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
advantage over a wider shank?

well, I'm far from a "tool purist", but I use 1/4" bits in the table and free
hand routers and 1/2" in the shopsmith for drill press style routing... works
fine for me, but I'm still in the wood destroying stage.. *g*



Some smaller diameter cutters only seem to be made in 1/4" shank.

Generally speaking, a quality bit is a quality bit. A 1/4" shank
Whiteside bit is a better cutter than a 1/2" shank cutter from Home
Depot.

I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with a 1/4" shank for
small diameter cutters. They get a bad rap because of the abundance of
available 1/4" shank bits out there in Borg grade.

In general, if a larger shank is available, AND it fits into your
workspace, you want to use the larger shank. You also, in general, want
to use the shortest bit that will do the job at hand.

If you need an 1/8" core box bit, I don't think there's much problem
with using the 1/4" shank version. Indeed, I'm not sure I've ever seen
an 1/8" core box bit on a 1/2" shank, though I imagine someone must make
one.

even the 1/4" straight bit looks a bit odd with a 1/2" shaft..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 03:40:58 GMT, Jim K wrote:

1/2" bits are too tight a fit in my router's 1/4" collet.

you just haven't built the correct jig for it yet..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Newbie wrote:

I see most people recommend 1/2" shank. So then, does smaller shank exist
only to cover the low-end market? Is there a case where they have any
advantage over a wider shank?


They fit in my father's (now deceased) router. The new fangled
1/2 inch bits don't fit without a lot of filing and fussing.

In article , Bill Thomas
wrote:

my father's (now deceased) router

Your father or the router? ;-)

Gerry