Frequently Asked Questions | North State Tool | RouterBitsOnline.com/title>   <meta name="Description" content="Router Bits Online frequently asked questions on router bits, cutters and accessories, such as What is a router bit and how are router bits used?"/> <meta name="Keywords" content="question questions router bits, custom router bits, router accessories, shaper cutters, tool storage accessories, sanding accessories, socket storage systems, specialty hand tools, woodworking tools, andrews toolworks, craftsman, craftsman professional, husky, provalue, ryobi, snap-on"/> <meta name="author" content="Tyler A Walters"/>  <link href="http://routerbitsonline.com/css/screen.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen"/>  <script type="text/JavaScript">  </script> <link rel="canonical" href="http://www.routerbitsonline.com/about/router-bit-faq.html" /> </head> <body> <div id="logo"> <a href="/"><img src="../images/northstatetoollogo.jpg" alt="North State Tool Logo"></a> <a href="../about/standards/warning.html"></a> </div>  <div id="leftNav"> <div class="hiddenHeader">PRIMARY NAVIGATION</div> <a href="../routerbits/index.html">Router Bits</a> <a href="../raccessories/index.html">Router Accessories</a> <a href="../moulding/index.html">Moulder Knives</a> <a href="../shapers/index.html">Shapers</a> <a href="../carpentry/index.html">Carpentry</a> <a href="../drilling/index.html">Drilling Accessories</a> <a href="../sawblades/index.html">Saw Blades</a> <a href="../woodworking/index.html">Woodworking</a> <a href="../about/index.html">About North State Tool</a> <span>Contact North State Tool</span> <a href="../sitemap.html" class="mainNavTopic" class="mainNavTopic" style="margin-bottom: 26px;">Site Map</a> <img src="../images/viewcart.gif" width="154" height="46"/> <img src="../images/checkout.gif" width="154" height="46"/> </div>   <div id="centerNav"> <div class="hiddenHeader">SECONDARY NAVIGATION</div> <a href="../about/products.html">Our Products</a> <a href="../about/special.html">Special Services</a> <a href="../about/tooling.html">Custom Tooling</a> <span>Router Bit FAQ</span> <a href="../about/contact.html">Contact North State Tool</a> </div>   <div id="rightContent"> <h1>Router Bit FAQ</h1> <h3>Everything you need to know about Router Bits. <br/></h3> <br/> <a href="#routerbit">What is a router bit, and what is it used for?</font></a> <strong><br/> </strong><a href="#1routerbit">How many types of Router Bits are there?</a></font><strong><br/> </strong><a href="#2routerbit">What does a router bit cost?</font></a> <br/> <a href="#3routerbit">What are some typical uses for routers?</font></a> <br/> <a href="#4routerbit">Are routers dangerous to use?</font></a> </font> <a href="#5routerbit">What is the difference between steel and carbide router bits?</a> <br/> <a href="#6routerbit">How do you match a custom profile?</a> <br/> <a href="#7routerbit">Can you make unique router bits to match interior trim in an old house?</a> <br/> <a href="#8routerbit">What's new in router bits?</a> </font><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="routerbit"><strong>What is a Router Bit and what is it used for? </strong></font></a> <br/> Router bits are used for wood working. A router bit is a cutter whose profile is cut (usually) into wood. It is used most typically to make decorative edges.<br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="1routerbit"><strong>How many types of Router Bits are there?</font></strong></a> <br/> That’s a difficult question to answer because the technical answer is infinite, but realistically, most retailers of router bits list between 50 to 80 different router bit profiles.<br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="2routerbit"><strong>What does a router bit cost? </font></strong></a><br/> Standard router bits cost between $10 for a simple straight bit to $350 for a complex custom bit. <br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="3routerbit"><strong>What are some typical uses for routers?</font></strong></a> <br/> The most popular DIY use for a router is probably to make name signs for mailboxes. A ball end router would cut the name in to sign and roundover or other profiling bit would be used to finish the edges. As the user gains experience with a router, then furniture and cabinet making would be the most popular uses.<br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="4routerbit"><strong>Are routers dangerous to use?</strong></font></a> <br/> As with every power tool, there are dangers, so attention to safety issues is very important. Always read your instruction manual, always wear safety glasses, and always unplug your router when changing router bits. Never touch a router bit that’s rotating. Remember, the cutting edge of a router bit is a wood cutting knife. <br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="5routerbit"><strong>What is the difference between steel and carbide router bits?</strong></font></a><br/> Historically, router bits were made from high speed steel, but as the cost of carbide came down, more and more bits were made from carbide. Until recently, carbide was the material of choice because it outperforms steel, meaning it stays sharper longer. Incidently, carbide is shorthand for tungsten carbide. <br/> <br/> <a name="6routerbit"><strong>How do you match a custom profile?</font></strong></a><br/> Either from a drawing provided by the customer or more commonly from a wood sample containing the desired profile. Our engineers dimension the sample using AutoCad software and send the file to the factory who copies the profile onto a carbide blank.<br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="7routerbit"><strong>Can you make unique router bits to match interior trim in an old house?</strong></font></a> <br/> Yes, see above <br/> <br/> <br/> <a name="8routerbit"> <strong>What's new in router bits?</font></strong></a> <br/> 1. The speed with which carbide has gained market share. <p>2. The growing popularity of ½” shank router bits, replacing shaper cutters that were traditionally used for cutting larger and more complex profiles.</p> <p>3. The advent of ceramics as a replacement for carbide. Ceramics are to carbide as carbide is to high speed steel.</p> <p></p> <br/> <br/> <a href="/">Contact North State Tool</a><br/> <font size="2">Please contact a North State Tool representative.</font><br/> <h5> <a href="../sitemap.html">Site Map</a> | <a href="/">Related Links</a><br/> © <script type="text/javascript"> var theDate=new Date() document.write(theDate.getFullYear()) </script>, North State Tool, Inc. </h5> </div>  <script type="text/javascript"> pageTracker._initData(); </script> </body> </html>