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Choosing the right  Router Bits for your project can be tricky if you don’t know what features make a perfect Router Bit. Since these bits can cost you a lot, there’s a need for you to choose the right Router Bit for woodwork. Here are some hands-on tips that you can put to use while purchasing these bits from the market:

• Find the Right Router Bit Shank Size

The overall value of a router bit is more or less dependent upon the shank size that you choose. Choosing a 1/2″ bit instead of a 1/4″ is a wise decision as the latter is not as strong and is more likely to break. Why let your work get affected when you have other options to consider?

• Lay equal stress on finding the right Router bit material

In the market, you have a choice between Carbide Tipped, High Speed Steel and Solid Carbide router bits. To ensure best value for your money, ensure that you choose a carbide router bit over the other two. Though the steel bits save you some bucks and work well for light plastics and softwood, they tend to become dull in a short span of time. Dull router bits will have to be replaced often as compared to the other two types. Carbide tipped bits, on the other hand, are a bit expensive but should be preferred due to their sharpness and durability while working with hardwood and other such materials. When both these bits fail, Solid Carbide bits come to your rescue. Processes like Laminate trimming, pattern cutting and mortising make use of Solid Carbide Router as it is the strongest and lasts longer than the other two varieties.

• Keep the router bit sharp for better performance

A dull router bit can spoil your work and you might just have to replace it time and again. To avoid the added burden of changing these bits, it is thus advisable to use a sharp router bit in order to cut safely and quickly.

• The grind and balancing matters too!

Your router bit’s performance is directly affected by its grind; a reason enough to choose the right grind for the bit. The vibration should be kept to the minimum to ensure quality and safety while working with the router bits. A well spinning router bit will always perform better.

• Buy the router bits from a trusted manufacturer

Choosing the right router bit manufacturer can be difficult as there are a lot of companies in the market that sell a variety of router bits. Companies that have been in the industry for long can be trusted easily for the quality and durability of their router bits. When you choose the right manufacturer, consider half of your job done!

These tips can come in handy when you’re out choosing router bits for cutting. Wood work requires sharp and edgy tools. It’s better to invest in slightly expensive Router Bits than paying heavily for a poor cutting job.