Router Bits?

[Dripht]

I'm looking to cut the hole into my MDF so I can bottom mount my Joystick with as much length on the stick as possible. I'm going for a 1/4" deep hole.

I'm wondering what Router bit I need for this. I went to Home Depot looking for a 1/4" Straight Bit for the job, and after asking the guy, I felt like an idiot when they didn't have anything of the sort.

What bit do I need, and where might I be able to find it?

[dogg0]

I'm wondering what Router bit I need for this. I went to Home Depot looking for a 1/4" Straight Bit for the job, and after asking the guy, I felt like an idiot when they didn't have anything of the sort.

well thats because (at least at my home depot), the people who work in the very depleated tool section are idiots.

you can use almost any router bit to route out some space on the bottom of your panel. Maybe speak with someone who has experience using a router, and they explain how to do it. It is tough for me to explain without actually showing it, but if you have at least a small bit set that you got when you got your router, you probably wont have to buy anything new.

[MonitorGuru]

You need a plain old straight cut bit.  A high speed steel one usually is included with a router, but you want to get the carbide tipped ones for MDF (otherwise it heats up and burns the MDF and dulls the bit I've found)

If you have a Menards in your area, the best deal is a 6 pack of straight bits (carbide tipped), from 1/4" to 3/4" every 1/8" (1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4) plus one other size.  It is normally $8.99 but goes on sale for only $4.99.  You won't find a better deal anywhere!

otherwise if you need tons of bits, there are sellers on ebay with 50 different bits in a box with door for around $40 shipped if you look closely (warning some try to tack on $20+ shipping, most are in the $15 rage, but you can pick up a good deal if you watch). This set, or the 80+ piece one are the sets if you want nearly every bit you'd ever need.

Buying a single bit at Lowes/HomeDepot runs about $10-$40 depending on the bit.  I've found the imports work just as well and are as safe.

$5 for a box of 6 straight bits will get you by for a long time, use the money you save to get a good tmolding slot cutting bit.

[FractalWalk]

I'm wondering what Router bit I need for this. I went to Home Depot looking for a 1/4" Straight Bit for the job.

A straight bit is what you want and you also need to know the size of your router shank (the hole that the bit fits into: probably 1/4").  

The bit can come in different sizes and qualities (diameters, cutting edges etc.) but but for 1/4" route you don't need anything fancy. Bigger diameter bits route bigger areas quickly but can't do very small jobs. Small diameter bits route small areas better but take a while to do big areas. The depth of your cut is set by you on the router.


   

[mattv]

A high speed steel one usually is included with a router, but you want to get the carbide tipped ones for MDF (otherwise it heats up and burns the MDF and dulls the bit I've found)

Thank you for posting that! I have often wondered why my cheap router bits made a buring smell but the expensive ones didn't. And now it know - cheers

[Dripht]

The depth of your cut is set by you on the router.

!!
Is that true? I was asking for something that would cut 1/4" deep, and they didn't seem to have anything that said 1/4 depth on it. All 3/4" and higher... Why the depth dimmension on the package if you can set it yourself?

[SirPeale]

That's the *total depth* you can cut with a particular bit.  You set your depth first, then cut.

[FractalWalk]

The depth of your cut is set by you on the router.

!!
Is that true?

Well, yeah that's true. It's sort of why I wrote it  

I'm no router expert, but the depth dimension is probably to let you know how deep you can go. In other words a 3/4" bit isn't going to cut a 12" route. But I certainly can have a bit that is 3/4" long route a 1/4" deep area.

All you need to know is your router shank size, which is probably 1/4" .

[Dripht]

That was extremely helpful, thank you.