Roundover bits anyone?

[chinjazz]

Hey Fellow Bass/Guitar builders...

Let’s talk round over bits for a bit..

I have a few cheap roundover bits that are ok (mainly for use on body’s).

It’s now time for me to get better bits for this operation.

For a 1/2” radius and on my router table I’m at Freud with 1/2” shank.

Freud® Quadra-Cut™ Rounding Over Router Bits - 1/2

Anyone, have first hand experience with Freud quadra cut bits?

Or good experiences with other recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Beej]

They are a fantastic combination of good quality at a good price. I have a regular 1/2" with a 1/4" shank and also a quadra cut and the quad is smoother in the router and leaves an even smoother surface. I've also got quadra cuts in 5/8" and 3/4" and they are great, quite an improvement over the old "double cut" bits. Surprisingly, when I'm climb-cutting, they tend to grab less than a regular old router bit, not sure why as I had expected the opposite.

 

[chinjazz]

They are a fantastic combination of good quality at a good price. I have a regular 1/2" with a 1/4" shank and also a quadra cut and the quad is smoother in the router and leaves an even smoother surface. I've also got quadra cuts in 5/8" and 3/4" and they are great, quite an improvement over the old "double cut" bits. Surprisingly, when I'm climb-cutting, they tend to grab less than a regular old router bit, not sure why as I had expected the opposite.

Awesome thanks! I was originally checking 1/2” shank options just because it’s better/safer on a table, but stumbled onto quadra cuts...

 

[Beej]

That was what happened to me too. I had to pick up a new 3/4" bit as mine gained a chip, and I saw the quadra cuts and picked that one up. After a couple of routs with the quadra cut, I went back and bought the 1/2" and 5/8"

 

[chinjazz]

That was what happened to me too. I had to pick up a new 3/4" bit as mine gained a chip, and I saw the quadra cuts and picked that one up. After a couple of routs with the quadra cut, I went back and bought the 1/2" and 5/8"

Now that I’m at it, that 5/8” radius is looking like a nice alternative to the 1/2”..hmmm maybe I’ll get that first

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I have an older 5/8" Freud bit that does a decent job, but you have to sneak it up in stages. Been thinking about a 3/4 roundover, this might be the ticket.

 

[ctmullins]

I have a Freud 1/2” Quadra Cut. It’s great. I don’t round over bodies very much any more (I have grown to prefer bevels), but this bit works well for rough neck shaping.

 

[Basshappi]

I have that exact bit. I bought it for my current project that requires me to make long cuts on red oak lumber.
I have used it in both my handheld router and my router table .
It has performed beautifully.

 

[thisSNsucks]

I have one too, it’s a great bit. Normally I work my way up when doing round overs. I’ll start with either a 1/8” or 3/8”, then 1/2” then 3/4” or whatever to avoid tear out.

 

[dwizum]

I have a few brands but the Quadra cuts are my favorite roundover bits. @Beej I would guess it grabs less when climb cutting because you're taking twice as many cuts per revolution, so each cut is half the size - less wood being bit off means less leverage, right? That's my theory at least!

@thisSNsucks - what I do to step up is just leave the one roundover in the router but set the height so at first it's only taking a small bite, then step it up until it's taking a full bite. Achieves the same improvement in performance without having to swap bits for each cut.

 

[micguy]

@thisSNsucks - what I do to step up is just leave the one roundover in the router but set the height so at first it's only taking a small bite, then step it up until it's taking a full bite. Achieves the same improvement in performance without having to swap bits for each cut.[/QUOTE]

Yes - that's the right way to do it. And a huge part of avoiding tear out is paying attention to which way the grain is going, and what direction you're moving the bit - done properly, tear out is pretty much avoidable.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I like Quadra cuts, they're very good. My other first choice is Whiteside. I've never had a bad Whiteside bit, and they've got enough carbide on them that they're actually worth resharpening.