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Wood cutters for a manual router: types, features, application. Metal cutters

Now there is a wide variety of cutters for hand-held wood routers, which have greatly simplified the work of woodworkers. I remember the times when it was impossible to find shaped cutters and, let’s say, it was difficult to set up the production of window frames at home. Now I increasingly meet people who have set up their business on the basis of a milling machine. This includes cooperage, frame and furniture production. Some even manage to make relief carvings using a router. At one time I also wanted to set up the production of wooden frames, I bought shaped cutters, but soon switched to a slightly different direction. I love working with a wide variety of wood species and have tried cutters on such durable species as oak, ash, and acacia. Of course, you need to be more careful with them and take your time when serving. And such species as linden, willow, and pine go like clockwork.

Carbide cutters for hand-held wood routers are divided according to their purpose into groove, edge, curved and combined.

Groove cutters are needed to make grooves of different lengths and widths. The width of the groove is adjusted by setting the router stop. Groove cutters are mainly used in the manufacture of tenon joints.

There are groove fillet cutters that are used to produce a semicircular recess (fillet) on a product:

or V-shaped notch:

These cutters are often used for decorative carving or edge processing.

There are T-slot cutters and dovetail cutters. They are used in the production of cabinet furniture to make tenon joints:

Slot milling cutters are used mainly for processing edges, for the production of furniture overlays and other decorative parts:

The latter cutter can be used in cases where it is necessary to select material in cavities, for example in the manufacture of wooden utensils.

Edge cutters are used to process the edge and end of a product. They are straight:

and moulding, which are used in the manufacture of various pieces of furniture and restoration work. The thrust bearing allows the cutter to be used on both straight and curved edges:

Edge rebate cutters are used for joining blanks into quarters, for making door panels, for producing recesses (rebates) in picture frames and elements of cabinet furniture:

Edge cone cutters are used in the production of glued products (dies, tubs, etc.):

Edge cutters are used in the production of various profiles. Often used in frame production:

Edge cutters are used in the manufacture and processing of railing edges:

Figurine cutters are used for processing the edges of panels. They are horizontal and vertical. Horizontal ones have a large diameter and are used in the manufacture of straight skirting boards, cornices and other interior parts:

Using a hand router when processing wood at home makes it possible to perform a variety of manipulations: forming edges, grooves and grooves. For each operation, a specific nozzle is selected. A detailed overview of the types of wood cutters for a hand router, their functions and designs will help you make the right choice.

Design features of cutters

When choosing the right cutters for your hand router, you need to know the following basic data:

Shank size. It is indicated both in inches and in millimeters and determines the possibility of sharing equipment with a manual router. The diameter of the tool collet must be compatible with the diameter of the shank. Sometimes inconsistencies arise when considering different measures of length. So, ¼ or ½ inch in conversion gives 6.35 and 12.7 mm. The metric sizes of common types of collets are 6.8 and 12 mm. As you can see, there is no compatibility. Therefore, when choosing, pay special attention to this.
Blade material and location. There are products made from carbide (HM) and high-speed steel (HSS). Carbide cutters are characterized by increased fragility. If you plan to process hard wood, it is recommended to use high-speed steel equipment. Considering the arrangement of the blades on the cutter, we can highlight some features. Vertical blades cut surfaces more aggressively. It is quite difficult to work with such nozzles, and the resulting surface turns out to be rough. It is advisable to use cutters with vertical plates in preliminary operations. Slanted blades cut wood cleaner and are used at the final stages of processing.
Desired design of the cutting part. Wood cutters can be prefabricated, monolithic or replaceable. The prefabricated structure is a specific set of high-speed steel plates, which are attached to the cutter shank by soldering with copper alloys. Monolithic cutters are made entirely of tool steel. Mounted cutters (with replaceable cutting edges) are the most technologically advanced to use. They have a long service life, since the knives for them are made double-sided (when one side of the blade wears out, it is turned over and processing continues).

Image	Name of cutter	Description
	Monolithic	Made from solid metal
	Team	Is a steel blank with blades soldered on the sides
	Mounted	Consists of a removable plate fixed to a finger-shaped adapter

Types of wood cutters

There are different types of cutters that perform specific processing functions. Let's look at the most common options.

Grooving cutters

These devices are designed to select a groove of the required width and depth. Their use is widespread when creating groove-tenon joints. When working, you need focus and practical skills. Without a template, it is almost impossible to get an even rectangular groove.

			Grooved straight- a cylindrical device, after use of which a rectangular groove remains in the workpiece. Mainly used with plunge milling machines.
			Grooved fillets have a rounded cutting head. Thanks to this, the groove in the section is U-shaped. Depending on the depth of the cut, the walls are rounded immediately from the surface of the workpiece or first go from it at a right angle.
			Slot cutters with V-shaped end. When using them, you can get a shallow groove with side walls inclined relative to each other at an angle of 90°. If the work involves making grooves with different angles of inclination of the walls, then you need to have the appropriate set of tools.
Grooved structural (T-shaped and dovetail). In cross-section, the resulting grooves form an inverted letter “T”, the base of which extends to the surface or a regular trapezoid, the larger side of which faces the center of the workpiece. As a result of processing, one of the most reliable connections is obtained when the workpieces are pushed into one another. A cutter with a reverse cone for producing dovetail grooves is indispensable when one fragment is removed and the second is secured to the base using the specified groove.

Grooved shaped used to produce figured carvings and edge processing. In cross-section, the grooves resemble curly braces. You can machine both the grooves in the center of the workpiece and its edges. If a complex pattern is being made, it is recommended to first go along its contour with a straight groove cutter - this will simplify subsequent alignment and reduce the load on the milling machine when using a shaped cutter.

Edge cutters

This equipment is most often made with a bearing, which allows you to process the edges and ends of wood not only by adjusting the support table, but also according to a template. The depth of penetration of such a cutter into the workpiece can be limited by installing a thrust bearing.

Edge straight Designed to obtain a plane of the workpiece end perpendicular to the upper part of the workpiece (face). If there is a bearing on the cutter, rounded edges can be processed. The bearing itself can be configured flush to the cutting blades or have a different (up or down) diameter.

Edge molding designed to produce straight, arched or wavy curly edges. Widely used for making patterns of complex shapes. When choosing a double cutter, you need to pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the distance between the cutting blades. A set for a hand router usually includes several standard sizes of such a tool, which allows you to create edges with different radii of curvature. Installing a support bearing allows you to get a straight edge when inserting the tool deeper into the wood.

Edge cone, depending on the angle of inclination of the cutter edge, are used to prepare workpieces before joining, obtaining a decorative chamfer, or for processing furniture parts, which will then be joined into products of a round (polygonal) shape.

	Edge fillets used to obtain a rounded groove on the edge of a workpiece. To avoid distortion during processing, cutters are manufactured with two bearings. Such a tool is quite versatile, since the size of the groove arc depends on the depth of immersion of the blade into the material. Thanks to it, you can make decorative furniture slats.
Curved edges (multi-profile)— quite massive equipment for the router. Such cutters simultaneously work with a large area of the workpiece and their use requires the use of machines with a power of at least 1600 watts. For work, the entire blade profile is used at once or in various combinations, which allows you to obtain an edge of a standard or specified shape.

Edge half-rod designed to produce a semicircular protrusion on the edge. Also, with the help of such cutters, profiles with chamfers and edges of complex shapes, and hinged joints are produced (when processing a workpiece in conjunction with a fillet or molding cutter).

Combined cutters

Used for joining and joining wooden pieces. Combined cutters combine groove and tenon cutters.

Combined universal make it possible to obtain compatible planes with a tongue and groove located at an angle to each other. The same cutter is used for jointed workpieces, which significantly reduces processing time.

	Tongue-and-mortise. In this case, a set of two separate cutters is used: to create a groove in one workpiece and a tenon in the other. The samples used for the manufacture of linings make it possible to obtain a shaped connection with a larger contact area between the workpieces.
Combined frame allow you to place the cutting blades on the axis in the desired order. Consists of a base, cutting blades, thrust bearings (one or more), a lock washer and a lock nut. When changing the router bit's configuration, the base is not removed from the router collet to maintain its original setting.

Figurine cutters

The main purpose of this equipment is to create decorative panels. For ease of operation, figurine cutters are equipped with a bearing.

Figurine horizontal used for partial processing of panels. The shape of the blades involves sampling starting from the thrust bearing. This does not allow you to immediately get a tenon for inserting the panel into the frame. To form it, additional edge processing is required.

Figurine horizontal double-sided allow processing of the workpiece in one pass, simultaneously forming the figured part of the panel and the tenon for the groove cut in the frame.

	Curly vertical used for the manufacture of skirting boards of various shapes. After processing, a decorative frame and tenon joint are formed on the workpiece.

Quality criteria

When choosing a set of woodworking attachments, you should pay attention to the following:

Soldering of typesetting cutters must be done in such a way that the tool does not lose its longitudinal stability during long-term processing. This is especially true if the workpiece is made from hornbeam, pear, oak and other hardwoods.
When soldering tools, grades PSr40 or PSr37.5, with a high content of silver and copper, should be used as solders. Other brands of solder usually include nickel, which impairs the strength of the connection between the plates and the shank.
The easiest way to check the thermal strength of a set cutter is by the thermal deformation of the tool while heating each tooth to a temperature of 200 - 250ºC. The tool after such processing should not allow its longitudinal axis to run out by more than 0.05 mm.
The stacking cutter should not be made by welding the shank to the working cutting part. The use of such equipment is unacceptable.

An important parameter is the hardness of the materials from which the cutters are made. More often, this applies to monolithic samples. The test can also be performed at home. To do this, it is recommended to use a calibrated file, after contact with which there should be no visible marks on the working surface of the cutter. This roughly corresponds to a hardness of 58 - 62 HRC.

The durability of a tool is determined by the intensity of its use. High-quality stacking cutters with working plates made of high-speed steel have the best durability, while monolithic cutters made of tool steel have the least durability.

Purchasing the right woodworking machine will not solve all problems. To carry out full processing of products, you will need to select high-quality equipment. The types of wood cutters discussed in the review will help you decide and complete your hand router. After all, in performing each specific operation, a certain configuration of devices is involved.

A manual milling machine is a high-performance equipment. If you have a large number of interchangeable tools, they can be used to perform a wide variety of work with wood. For this purpose, various types of cutters have been developed and produced. Today, we will talk about the types of cutters and their purpose, and also touch on the main selection criteria.

Classification and types of cutters for wood processing

Wood cutters for a hand router can be divided into the following types:

Designed for processing wood edges (). Such a tool is equipped with a guide bearing, which ensures the evenness of the processed edge of the product. Spiral cutters also fall into this category.

Flat end slot cutters. To use them, you will need a stop and a certain practical skill, since without a template it is almost impossible to get an even rectangular groove.

Fillet cutters, designed for milling a semicircular groove in the end of a wooden block. Such cutters are also quite versatile, since the size of the groove arc depends on the depth of immersion of the cutter in the material. Fillet cutters with support bearings allow you to produce decorative furniture slats.

V-face slot cutters. When using them, you can get a shallow groove, the side walls of which will be inclined relative to each other at an angle of 90 0. By increasing the depth of penetration of such a cutter into the material, the groove will have smooth walls.

Reverse cone tenon cutter, to obtain dovetail grooves. Such a tool is indispensable when performing repair work on furniture, when one fragment is removed and the second is secured to the base using the specified groove.

Cone cutters. With their help, the outer edges of the product are processed, which, when ready, must have chamfers of a strictly established height and angle of inclination. The depth of penetration of such a cutter into the wood can be limited by installing a thrust bearing, similar to that used for edge cutters.

Moulders, using which you can obtain rounded edges. A set of wood cutters for a hand router usually includes several standard sizes of such a tool, which allows you to create edges with different radii of curvature. Installing a support bearing allows you to further obtain a straight edge when the tool is inserted deeper into the wood.

Quarter cutters. They create not only a vertical, but also a horizontal edge, and therefore are used in the manufacture and repair of wooden window frames.

Disc cutters. They are also designed for making grooves, but, unlike groove cutters, they work not at the end, but at the periphery of their working part. A set of such cutters of various diameters (3...6 mm) allows you to obtain grooves with a guaranteed depth along the entire length of the processing area. In this case, a support bearing is not required. Disc cutters with an increased height of the working part are sometimes called rebated cutters, and are used to produce window grooves for glass in wooden frames.

Combination cutters According to the capabilities provided, they combine tenon and groove types.

The listed versions of wood cutters for a manual router can be used not only when processing wood, but also a number of other materials, in particular plasterboard boards, multi-layer plywood, etc.

Designs of cutters and their influence on the technology of milling operations

Wood cutters for a manual router can have stacked and monolithic designs. In the first case, the design of the tool is a certain set of plates made of high-speed steel, which are attached to the cutter shank by soldering with copper alloys (sometimes, in cheaper sets, tool steel is used instead of a carbide alloy, and alloy structural steel is used as the shank material).

In the second case, the cutter is a monolithic tool, which is made of tool steel. A special type of cutter for a hand router is formed by mounted cutters, which consist of a removable plate, which is then mounted on an adapter shank. Such cutters are the most technologically advanced to use, since when the cutting blade becomes dull on one side, the removable plate can be turned over to the opposite side and continue to use the tool.

When choosing a set of tools in question, pay attention to the following:

Soldering of typesetting cutters must be done in such a way that the tool does not lose its longitudinal stability during long-term processing, especially if the workpiece is made of hornbeam, pear, oak and other hardwoods;
When soldering tools, grades PSr40 or PSr37.5, with a high content of silver and copper, should be used as solders. Solders of other brands usually include nickel, which impairs the strength of the connection between the plates and the shank;
The easiest way to check the thermal strength of a set cutter is by the thermal deformation of the tool during heating of each tooth to a temperature of 200...250 0 C: the tool after such heat treatment should not allow its longitudinal axis to run out by more than 0.05 mm;
The stacking cutter should not be made by welding the shank to the working cutting part. Firstly, at the site of the weld, the strength of the metal is always reduced by 15...20%, and, secondly, with sharp impacts (for example, when cutting a cutter into hard wood), chips may appear on the surface of the weld. The use of such a cutter is unacceptable.

It is especially worth highlighting the problem of the hardness of cutters for a hand router. Manufacturers of sets of such tools may be from China. The price of such a tool is noticeably lower, but the quality of the metal from which the equipment is made also decreases. Most often this concerns monolithic cutters. It is impossible to evaluate the steel grade under normal conditions, but the test can be performed at home. To do this, it is best to use a calibrated file, after contact with which there should be no visible marks on the working surface of the cutter. This roughly corresponds to a hardness of 58…62 HRC.

The durability of cutters is determined by the intensity of their use. High-quality stacking cutters with working plates made of high-speed steels have the best durability, while monolithic cutters made from ordinary tool steel have the least durability.

How to choose a wood cutter for a hand router?

Having decided to purchase a set of cutters of the highest quality, it makes sense to analyze the criteria for choosing such a tool. The following are usually taken into account:

Shank dimensions. This size (for an imported set produced by a European brand, it can be indicated in inches) will determine the possibility of sharing the equipment with a hand router. The problem will not arise if the design of the router provides collet clamps. But even in this case, the diameter of the collet must be compatible with the diameter of the shank. The most common discrepancies are caused by different length measures. For example, shanks with a diameter of ¼ or ½ inch in conversion will give a diameter value of 6.35 and 12.7 mm. The metric sizes of the most common types of collets are 6.8 and 12 mm, so it will not be possible to combine the mounting points.

Blade material Wood cutters for imported manual routers are marked with the letter designations HM (carbide) and HSS (high-speed steel). Carbide cutters are characterized by increased fragility, so when cutting into hard wood, they can quickly chip. But they can successfully cope with milling A0 or A00 aluminum. If you intend to process hard wood, it is more practical to use high-speed steel grades R6M3, R6M5 or 10R6M5.
Blade position. They can be placed parallel to the tool axis, or at some angle. Vertical blades do not cut, but chop wood, which practically results in significant impact loads. In such conditions, it is quite difficult to work with a hand router, and the resulting surface will have to be ground. Therefore, it is advisable to use plate cutters with vertical plates in preliminary operations, when the main thing is maximum material removal. On the contrary, inclined blades cut wood cleaner and are used at the final stages of milling.

The optimal set of cutters for wood includes two edge cutters (for metric and inch shanks), three end mills (diameters 6.12, 18 mm), two groove cutters (including one for dovetail), one each figured and corner cutter. More advanced combinations are used for professional wood milling purposes.

From this article you can find out what a cutting element such as a wood cutter for a hand router is. The text sets out a detailed classification of products: the main types and features of parts, their technical characteristics and practical use. The article contains useful recommendations that will help you decide on the choice of cutters for hand tools.

A hand router is a convenient and effective tool designed for processing lumber, including shaped, as well as flat surfaces. In addition, this device is suitable for forming various technological recesses, for example, grooves, ridges, recesses for installing hinges. To do this, it is enough to buy cutters of the appropriate configuration. Each such element has individual design features and is used to perform specific functions.

Purpose of a hand cutter for wood:

Edge processing - involves the use of a cutter for merging wood for a manual router, when it is necessary to connect various workpieces together by connecting a tongue/groove.
Insertion of hinges and other fittings.
Decorating - in this case, cutters are used to form three-dimensional shapes on the surface of flat products, as well as for the production of wooden blanks with complex configurations.

Professionals know dozens of options for using cutters on a manual router. However, in order to correctly determine the choice of cutting parts for a tool, it is advisable to study the official classification of existing products. Once you understand what cutters are and the features of their use, it will be much easier to make a choice.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the unit of measurement for the diameter of the shank. This can be done in millimeters or inches. The unit of measurement depends on the type of collets that are included with the router. These components are designed to clamp the shank. If the size is calculated in millimeters, then the most common options will be products with a diameter of 6, 12 and 8 mm. If inches are taken as the unit of measurement, in this case it will be possible to buy cutters for a hand router in only two sizes - ½ and ¼.

Note! You cannot combine a millimeter shank and an inch collet and vice versa. This may cause the tool to break.

Types of cutters for a manual wood router: typesdesigns

There are dozens of product options on the market with different purposes and costs. If we consider the design features of cutting elements, we can distinguish the following types of wood cutters for a hand router:

Prefabricated - have the form of blanks with welded cutting edges. These cutters are very easy to manufacture, which is why most products on the market have a similar design.
With replaceable edges – products are equipped with replaceable cutting edges that have double-sided sharpening. When the knife becomes dull on one side, the cutter can be turned over and used further.
Monolithic - cutters with cutting edges machined at the base. They rarely break, but after several sharpenings the part will have to be replaced.

Types of wood cutters: classification of products by blade type

Milling cutters can have vertical, spiral or inclined blades. Products with straight edges will cut pieces of wood from the workpiece, increasing the likelihood that chips will appear during the cutting process. As a result, the quality of milling is significantly reduced. This does not happen with angled blades.

Consumers can buy wood cutters with two types of blades:

High-speed cutting (HM) - used on surfaces made of soft wood.
Carbide (HSS) – used for machining hard surfaces.

Products with carbide blades have a higher temperature coefficient and have improved characteristics, which affects their cost.

Classification of cutters: overview of the main types of products

Milling cutters are rotating parts studded with teeth. These elements are available in various configurations. Milling cutters can be used for processing metal and plastic surfaces, but they are most often used for working with wood.

The following types of products are distinguished:

end;
end;
cylindrical or slotted straight;
shaped elements, which can be both groove and edge;
disk, etc.

Helpful advice! If you periodically lubricate the support bearing, you can increase the life of the part.

Features of wood end mills for hand tools

Wood end mills for a hand router have cutting edges on the end side of the working part. Moreover, they work not only through the application of axial load. These cutters also use side edges, which makes it possible to move the rotating element in the plane of the support pad on the router. As a result of this, it is possible to obtain various selections and grooves in the wood. Such parts may have a different number of cutting edges, which affects the cleanliness of the processing.

In most cases, end mills have a monolithic design, but sometimes you can find composite ones, for example, hole saws, used as cutters for a wood drill. This option is used in cases where there is no manual router at hand.

end;
spiral;
burrs;

profile;
conical;
spherical.

Wood end mills are used to form grooves of various configurations and sizes. They are suitable not only for making wooden products, but also for creating tongue and groove joints. Therefore, end mills are often classified as slotted products.

Profile cutters represent a wide group of components for performing the following tasks:

end processing;
formation of grooves with a complex configuration;
decorating the surface with ornaments.

Wood burrs have another name - cutters. They are designed for making holes with a specific configuration. Such cutters are used at the intermediate stage of processing. In addition, they can be used to finalize the configuration of some parts.

Classification of edge cutters for wood for a manual router

Edge cutters are the most common group, since hand tools are most often used for making edges on wood products. Even in large sets, the bulk of the parts are edge cutters. This option is more preferable for home craftsmen. It is easier to buy a set of wood cutters for a hand router than to select these elements one by one.

This group includes:

profile - to give an intricate shape to the edges of the product;
molded or shaped - to round the edge, thereby obtaining a convex shape of ¼ of the circle;
conical – designed for chamfering at an angle, the most common option is 45 °;
disk cutters for wood - for forming grooves in the edge part of the product;
folded - designed for cutting out quarters in the edge part of the product;

fillet - used to make grooves in the edge on ¼ of a circle;
figurine - designed for making panel edges.

In most cases, edge cutters are equipped with a thrust bearing. This element limits the movement of the tool, preventing it from sinking into the wood. In this case, the cutting part of the part can be located above or below the bearing. By setting the tool support pad to a certain position, you can adjust the depth of the cutter overhang.

Helpful advice! If the cutter makes large cuts, it is advisable to carry out the processing process of the product in several stages, each time deepening it into the material until the support bearing operates.

In some cases, there is no bearing in the cutter design. To work with such a part, you will need a template and a copy sleeve or parallel stop. The size of molding cutters depends on the height of the cutting part. If the profile has several roundings, then the manufacturer indicates the dimensions of the largest diameter that can be obtained using such a part. Moreover, the distance between the cutting parts can be adjusted at your discretion.

Horizontal type figurine cutters have a large diameter and weight. Such elements require a lot of cutting force, for this reason they are manufactured exclusively with a 12 mm shank. These cutters are designed for a router with a stationary structure.

Related article:

TO accessories, operating instructions. Recommendations for choosing designs and a review of the best models.

Classification of groove cutters for wood for a manual router

The main purpose of a groove cutter for wood is to make grooves in wood - grooves.

There are several types of such cutters:

fillets - these parts are designed for making semicircular grooves;
conical - elements are used for applying threads to flat surfaces;
spiral cutters for wood for a manual router - in many ways similar to end elements. However, they have a more pronounced cutting edge located on the outside. Essentially, the design of a spiral wood router is similar to a drill bit;

T-shaped cutters for forming grooves of the appropriate shape;
Dovetail elements;
shaped;
straight groove cutters for wood - cylindrical parts that form a groove with a rectangular cross-section;
combined - cutters are used to connect large-sized wooden panels.

Combination elements include tenon/groove cutters. Most often, such elements have a monolithic design, but there are also options equipped with carbide cutting edges. They are used for joining workpieces.

Copy cutters or straight cutters are the smallest group of components for a manual router. Between themselves, these parts differ in the number of cutting edges, sizes, as well as the nature of the placement of thrust surfaces and bearings, which can be located both above and below. There are also options with double-sided placement in relation to the cutting part. During operation, the bearing moves according to a template, making it possible to obtain a part of the required configuration from a workpiece.

The head of fillet cutters has a rounded shape. The resulting groove in cross-section looks like the letter “U”. The walls of the recess can be rounded immediately at the surface or located at a right angle for some time. It depends on the depth of the cut.

Note! Although a fillet is considered a semicircular notch, cutters that form a V-shaped groove are also included in this category. If during the work you need to make grooves with different angles of inclination of the walls, it is advisable to have an appropriate set of wood cutters for a hand router, where there are cutting elements of different configurations.

Wood cutter for hand router: choosing the optimal set for the job

Buying the right woodworking tool is not a guarantee of excellent results. To ensure accurate and high-quality processing of the material, it is advisable to purchase good equipment. For these purposes, sets of wood cutters for a hand router are designed, which include a set of cutting parts suitable for performing specific jobs.

What are the best wood cutters to buy for a hand router?

When choosing equipment for a hand router, you need to pay attention to the main criteria:

Workmanship.
Thermal strength level.
Type of connection between the cutting part and the shank.
Solder material.

Before purchasing a set of wood cutters, you should pay attention to the quality of the soldering. It must be done so that during long-term operation the tool does not lose its longitudinal stability. This is especially true in cases where the work uses products made from hard wood, for example, pear, hornbeam, oak, etc.

The following grades of solder are considered high quality: PSr 37.5 and PS p40. They are characterized by a high content of copper and silver. If a material of a different brand is used for soldering the plates and shank, most likely it contains nickel, which does not provide the required level of strength of the joints. It is not allowed to use elements in sets of cutters for a hand router, in which the working cutting part is connected to the shank by welding. This kind of equipment is not the best option.

Monolithic cutters also need to be checked for the hardness of the material of manufacture. This operation can be performed at home. To do this, just go over the working part of the cutter with a calibrated file. If no visible marks remain on the surface, then the element is made of high-quality material. The optimal hardness is 58-62 HRC.

Note! The quality of work also depends on the availability of additional devices. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase a set of templates and stops.

A brief overview of the catalog of Encor cutters for a manual router

Very often, manufacturers offer craftsmen to purchase a ready-made set designed to perform the same type of work. For example, some Encor wood cutters for a manual router are combined into kits that allow you to achieve a certain result. Such sets are used to make identical joints or wooden products. Moreover, in the second case, the cutters allow you to complete a full processing cycle.

In the catalog of Enkor cutters there are sets with different numbers of elements. For example, a set consisting of two combination frame cutters with a 12 mm shank can be used to create frame products. These elements are designed not only to form the inner edge. They can be used as corner joint cutters for a hand router.

Using this set, you can create not only frame products, for example, thin window frames, but also join wooden boards into large panels.

Of course, each of the cutters in this set can act as an independent element with which you can perform other operations on processing wooden products.

Consumers can buy a set of Enkor wood cutters for making lining. Using these elements, you can form the edge of wooden products, which can subsequently be used for interior finishing work. In addition, the manufacturer offers sets of decorative cutters, which can include from 4 to 12 elements with different configurations. The average price of sets ranges from 1370 to 8300 rubles.

Review of the catalog of wood cutters for the SMT manual router

The products of the Italian manufacturer SMT are in high demand among consumers. On sale are individual cutting elements and entire sets designed to perform various jobs.

The catalog contains the following types of SMT cutters for wood for a manual router:

groove and end;
overtaking;
for furniture strapping and splicing;
disk;
T-shaped and Dovetail;
paneled;
edge molding;
profile;
jointing and chamfering.

The kits offered by the manufacturer are designed to perform certain types of work or to form specific connections. The buyer can purchase a ready-made kit designed for the manufacture of doors, furniture facades, lining, trim and various bindings. The cost of the sets varies between 5610-63000 rubles.

Buying hand cutters for wood: prices for popular types of products

Wood cutters are suitable not only for making products from solid wood. These elements can be used for processing lumber such as plywood, chipboard, veneer, fiberboard, etc.

Average prices for Enkor cutters:

Type of cutters	Type	price, rub.
Grooved	V-shaped fillets	from 185
	Direct	from 189
	Shaped	from 190
	Structural T-shaped	from 202
	Structural	from 206
	Fillet	from 212
Edge	Direct	from 220
	Mouldings	from 287
	Conical	from 352
	Folded	from 405
	Half-rod	from 519
	Fillet	from 550
	Curly	from 615
	Adjustable moulders	from 1500
	Multidisciplinary	from 1570
Combined	Universal	from 1130
Combined	Framework	from 2160

The existing range of components for a hand router has several classification options. These products differ in design, tooth structure, and material of manufacture. By selecting a cutter with the necessary characteristics, you can create an edge, grooves, ledges, grooves and other elements of the desired size and configuration in a wooden workpiece. In addition, cutting parts are used to install various functional and structural elements. For example, hinges, locks, latches.

Processing manufactured parts with a milling machine offers many possibilities. Parts with the necessary grooves and grooves of various shapes are necessary for high-quality finishing. Operations involving manual woodworking equipment are performed with a special tool - cutters. Each type of action involves a separate type of equipment used.

Classification and types of cutters for wood processing

A power tool for working with lumber – a manual router. The surfaces of parts made of wood are subject to work performed using special devices. The manufacture of products that require the necessary grooves, recesses and recesses involves the use. Before you begin, you need to purchase equipment designed for specific purposes according to the product configuration.

The choice of tools for processing wood occurs according to the specifications of the crafts. Professionals have sufficient experience and skills to use the right equipment. A wood cutter has many purposes:

In edging, it is used to join workpieces together by splicing grooves.
Making recesses for use, installation of hinges, and other devices.
Making decor - in this case, a cutter is used to make a design or in woodworking processes with a complex configuration.

The tool differs greatly in the type of configurations and purpose. Before starting any actions with wood, it is necessary to determine the type and types used for the preparation. The unit of measurement for the tail is calculated in millimeters or inches, depending on the type of router used. Common options are types of cutters with a diameter of 6 to 12 mm. It is worth emphasizing that the use of an inch collet and a millimeter tail is unacceptable, as this can cause equipment failure or injury.

Manufacturers of the kits provide various modifications. On the construction market there is a large selection of types of hand router bits, depending on the purpose and the material used in the manufacture. The hand-held device can be used for processing plastic and metal, but is most widespread in wood processing. The main types of wood working.

The production of grooves and the formation of recesses are carried out using end milling cutters.
Grooved, the cylindrical wood cutter used cuts the required rectangular groove.
Shaped wood tools are used in shaped recesses and edges, allowing you to add uniqueness to the product.
The edges are made in a bearing design, which allows the product to be manufactured according to a template.

It is important to remember that the presence of a bearing in a hand router involves maintenance. It is necessary to lubricate the rotating element with a thin layer; this action is performed in order to ensure a long service life of the tool.

End mills

The end devices are similar in design and appearance to a conventional drill. A distinctive feature is the absence of a conical part at the end of the cutter. On the end part, located at an angle of 90 degrees to the sides, cutting teeth are made. The design feature allows you to perform various operations. The main types of work performed include:

Manufacturing of products with grooves of a certain depth and through holes.
Cut out the products.
Drilling or processing the edges of a part.

The main functions of a manual milling cutter type include obtaining grooves for locks and hinges installed in doors in the part. The kit is multifunctional; with the help of prepared equipment and a competent approach, you can perform many interesting elements.

Edge cutters for wood

Edge tools are used to produce various types of edges and recesses. Wood products can be processed using a manual router with edge cutters and fully processed. The edge type is the most common in use and has many modifications:

Profile sets process parts in such a way as to give the required shape to the edges.
With moulders, it is possible to round the edge of a part by a quarter of a circle.
Conical ones remove a chamfer, the angle of which is often 45 degrees.
Disc machines are used to produce chamfers in parts, making subsequent connections possible.
Folded ones process the part from the edge, leaving a quarter of the height.
Fillings are necessary for making a groove, which is drawn into a quarter circle.

Wood edge cutters used for hand routers are often equipped with a bearing, the function of which is to limit the depth of processing required. The overhang of adjustment of the processing area is made by adjustment on the tool itself. Machining large parts requires many attempts. A hand router is used to work on wood in several stages until the thrust bearing begins to operate.

Groove cutters for wood

The main purpose of the type of grooves for wood is to make grooves using hand-held power tools. There are enough varieties of devices; a groove cutter allows you to perform operations on wood with a hand router. Main types of slot cutters:

Spiral, drill-like, formed with an outer type helical edge. They make it possible to produce parts with recesses and grooves with right angles.
Fillet - made with a rounded tip.
Conical ones are often used for operations with planes.
Shaped ones allow you to make recesses of the required structure.
"T" shaped, dovetail cutters.
Combined ones are used when joining large wooden parts.

Most types are made in a monolithic format; accessories made of carbide metal are less common.

Copy cutters

The least common type of attachment when performing woodworking tasks with hand tools is copy cutters. Distinctive features are the numerous types of cutting elements, different locations of thrust bearings and small sizes. The milling head for wood crafts is arranged in the shape of an arc. The depth into the part depends on the processing angle.

Using a tool according to a template allows you to achieve the desired result when working with wooden workpieces. It is necessary to use a hand router with precision and caution; failure to comply with the requirements may lead to damage to the part or electrical equipment.

Designs of cutters and their influence on the technology of milling operations

The instruments under consideration are divided into several main categories, classified by type and purpose. They perform their functions not only under axial load, but have the ability to move during operation due to the presence of side edges. Cutting edges, or rather their number, directly depends on the quality of the actions performed by a manual router.

The tool used for processing is considered to be a manual milling cutter. There are crown-type tools; they allow you to perform work with an ordinary drill. In this case, the milling head used for wood performs the role of processing edges and making simple holes.

The design and production of products with grooves of the required depth and size is carried out using end mills. Knives used for wood milling are subject to considerable loads. Preventing unnecessary machining is achieved through the use of bearings. Hand router end mills allow you to create joints in wooden structures using a tongue/groove system.

To make the necessary hole in the tree, you will need a burr. In most cases, such a tool is used for intermediate processing. The cutters allow you to “open” the hole to the required depth, after which further actions are performed.

Types of cutter design

There are many designs and varieties of equipment for a manual woodworking machine. When choosing a tool, you should pay attention to the purpose and design of the equipment. The sharpening shape of cutters can be of two types - screw and straight. Using a straight sharpening form can lead to rapid damage to the equipment, and the final product may end up with gouges and burrs.

For woodworking with a hand router, the best option is to use a tool with a helical line of teeth. The only drawback is that sharpening is impossible with improvised means; to restore its former sharpness, you need to use special equipment. When using cutters for working with a hand router on wood, you should pay attention to the sharpening angle. A wooden surface is best processed with a tool whose sharpening angle is no more than 90 degrees. The design provides for efficient chip removal, thereby achieving maximum tool performance.

Prefabricated

The most common type on the market is prefabricated. Consists of a blank with welded edges on top. Simple manufacturing makes them most attractive to the manufacturer. The relatively low price allows you not to waste time on sharpening, but simply replace it with a new one if it loses its sharpness.

With replaceable cutting edges

Cutters with replaceable edges. They have replaceable cutting edges; when the knife loses sharpness on one side, it is possible to turn the tool over and continue working.

Monolithic

Monolithic type cutters have cutting edges at the base. They are characterized by increased strength, however, after short work and subsequent sharpening, the part quickly loses its cutting properties.

Types of cutter blades

The materials used in the manufacture of wood cutters differ in some characteristics. The first type of material is high-speed steel. Products made from this material are marked with HSS symbols. With hand tools, using this type of equipment, it will be easy to process soft wood. Thanks to the sharpened properties, the working speed increases in relation to the solid cutter.

The cutting part can be made of carbide metals. Such products are designated HM and are primarily used in the processing of hardwood. A distinctive feature is strength and resistance to elevated temperatures. It will be difficult to qualitatively process soft wood with such a cutter, since the frequency of actions performed is noticeably different from high-speed materials.

Functional cutter sets

You can often find functional sets on sale that consist of two or more elements. This set includes accessories and attachments for a wood router. The main purpose of such kits is to process two or more parts to obtain similar connections. For example, there is a set of 2 cutters, one of which forms an edge inside the product, and the second allows you to make a groove part.

There are universal options that, thanks to their design, can be used for various purposes. The collapsible part involves replacing the cutter blades, after which work with wood is carried out.

It is worth noting that the presence of a table for storing all types of equipment accessories will reduce the time for the actions performed, and it is also possible to build something like a milling machine. By installing movable stops on the table, the master expands the range of possibilities of the tool for woodworking.

Areas of application

The use of any type of equipment involves dangerous work with rotating elements. When working with wood, you must remember safety precautions. Complex elements cannot be completed in one approach; the edges of the cutter must be sharpened for the best result.

Wood carving with a router

When getting started, you should understand what type of cutter you need to use. The tool of the edge category has become very widespread. This category makes it possible to perform almost all types of woodwork with your own hands. Slotted or cylindrical cutters are used mainly for making recesses at the ends of the material.

How to choose a wood cutter for a hand router

The choice of cutters on the building materials market is very rich. The price range is varied; it is not always possible to determine whether the purchase is being made correctly. It is necessary to adhere to several basic conditions for choosing the right wood cutter.

Quality. It is worth paying attention to the appearance of the part. The product must be free of burrs, have high-quality threads and seats.
Thermal strength is indicated in the passport; the higher, the better and more reliable for further use.
The solder material, as well as the connection between the tail and the part responsible for cutting.

The quality of soldering of the product plays an important role when working with lumber. Then, when working with hard wood, a certain margin of safety of the tool is required. Solder is divided into types and brands; when purchasing, you need to pay attention to its quality in the cutter. It is advisable to pay attention to a tool whose solder grade is not lower than PSR 37.5. The higher the number, the better the reliability and quality of the part. The brand is indicated by the amount of copper and silver in its composition. When connecting by welding, using a router becomes unsafe and pointless.

Monolithic cutters must be inspected before use. The quality of the metal is determined by the cut. If noticeable scratches or cracks appear, then you should put this tool aside. The optimal metal hardness is from 58 units. The quality of work performed with a manual router directly depends on the availability of devices and kits.

Selecting the right tool is the right way to a good result when working with wood. A cutter made for a wood router must meet all standards and be of high quality. There are many kits that are designed for woodworking. A high-quality kit guarantees not only completed tasks, but also safe operation.