How to use a Rounding Over Router Bit

Rounding the edge of a piece of wood has several advantages. Sandpaper may be used to round over an edge, but it is time-consuming and difficult to obtain a consistent radius all the way around. You can make an edge with a constant radius using a router and appropriate cutter in much less time.

Rounded edges are less likely to splinter or chip and make less visible damage when they are hit or dented than sharp edges. Rounded edges are more forgiving and cause less harm if someone inadvertently impacts them. As a result, children’s toys, for example, as well as furniture, will frequently feature rounded corners for safer usage.

For certain applications, rounded edges are generally considered to be more attractive than straight ones. Chopping boards, for example, are frequently given rounded edges to provide a softer, more elegant appearance. The radius of your rounded edge is determined by the radius of the cutter.

Round over cutters have radiuses ranging from 6.34mm to 18.5mm.

The radius you pick is usually a matter of personal choice. However, keep in mind that for more delicate jobs, a smaller radius cutter is usually used to prevent removing too much material. To efficiently soften the edge, use round over cutters with a greater radii on larger pieces of material. You may need to use a router mounted in a table if you’re using the bigger cutters.

Router Direction

When rounding the outside of a workpiece, you must move in an anti-clockwise direction. When working on the inside, you should use a clockwise technique.

Support Your Woodwork

Make sure the edges of the workpiece are smooth and straight. The guide bearing on the cutter will follow this edge, so any flaws will be reflected in the cut. If your workpiece is quite thin, put some scrap material beneath it to ensure adequate clearance for the cutter’s bottom.

Router Set Up

Place the router on the edge of the workpiece and adjust the height of the cutter to change the cutting depth. Large cutters must be higher than final cuts initially. They must be set for incremental passes, which remove a few millimetres of material at a time until the ultimate depth is reached.

Routing The Wood

Set the router’s cutting depth according to your needs, then switch it on and plunge it until the depth stop stops it. Move the router so that the router cutter’s guide bearing is in contact with the workpiece’s edge. Then move the machine around the workpiece, keeping the guide bearing in touch with the edge. Repeat this process until you have the desired finished edge.

Inspect Your Work

Set the router aside and then switch it off once you’ve completed rounding all of the desired edges. Check your workpiece to see whether any more trimming is required.