Over the past year, there has been a slew of new router bit products, as well as many fine-tuned additions of previously released products. Router bit manufacturers have extensive experience in real-world wood production, gleaned as they handle tool maintenance and sharpening, and much of it shared in technical advisories in catalogs and at their websites. A list is included at the end of this article.

Of the router bit suppliers covered here, Leuco International exemplifies both these trends In the new product department, Leuco’s high performance spiral line is suitable for use on pods and nested-based CNC operations. Used in sizing, jointing, grooving and dividing in panel materials, Leuco says its new spirals are designed to have the longest edge life possible. This line is also used for the cutting of openings, contours and for traveling plunge cuts.

Leuco also revised its 20-year-old DIAMAX line of shank type cutters for use with laminated, foiled and veneered panels with a new spiraled body design. Its roughness depth is 30% lower than previous designs, which gives it a long edge life. The new DIAMIX also cuts down noise – a concern for OSHA compliance. (See woodworkingnetwork.com/cwb for more on noise.)

Vortex says its series 1000 & 1100 two-flute roughing spirals produce a “rippled” edge cut, and are extremely quiet and smooth cutting, even in heavy cuts and high feed rates.

Leitz Diamaster designed its EdgeExpert router bits with high-shear cutting technology, said to greatly reduce cutting pressure, and yield high finish quality in panel materials with sensitive laminates, foils and veneers. These router bits are available in Z1+1, 2+2 and 3+3 wing geometry.

GUHDO launched its line of premium router bits in the last year, available in both ¼Ë and ½Ë shanks. They are manufactured using high-quality steel with digitally calibrated carbide cutting edges.

LMT Onsrud added Marathon Downcut to its Marathon Compression line. Onsrud says the Marathon series is one of the longest-running tools, due to advancements in cutting geometry and addition of a coating, which it says creates a harder and tougher cutting edge and prolongs cutting life.

Freeborn Tool offers custom router bits as well as custom and standard brazed shaper cutters, insert cutters, spiral inserts and tool holders for CNC tooling. Among the new offerings are a cope & pattern set, detail cutters and a bit for cutting 5/8-in. raised panel doors.

Misenheimer offers carbide bits in standard and custom configurations, featuring tight tolerances. The company says it has a broad product offering, with large stocking quantities and quick turnaround available.

In addition to a standard line of router bits, Riverside Tools provides custom carbide tipped router bits. Riverside’s sister company, Intooligence, offers a tolling data and maintenance system that is unique.

Charles G. G. Schmidt, along with its standard insert tooling for window, door, cabinet and moulding production, offers router bits and quality brazed tools as stock items, with custom tooling a specialty.

NAP GLADU says its 1 Flute Straight Cut Bit is versatile, geared for dados, rabbets, plunge routing, mortise cuts, edging, trimming, sizing, etc.

T-Tool USA offers modular starter kits for the ETP-Perske 25mm Hydro Spindle found on the Weeke BHX Series CNC machines.

Royce//Ayr offers a wide variety of router bits, such as insert, carbide tipped, solid carbide and diamond router bit sets.

FS Tool’s says its line of solid carbide spiral bits are made from the highest quality tungsten carbide, Custom shapes and sizes can be made upon request.

Southeast Tool’s solid carbide 3+3 compression spiral can run extremely high feed rates in excess of 1,200 ipm, while its standard 1+1 and 2+2 are available for slower feed rates. The 3+3 tool is available in 3/8-in. and 1/2-in. sizes.

Centurion Tool’s Downshear Router Bit is designed to push down on the material being cut, which helps to keep the part from being pulled away from the table surface. It’s available in a standard plunge end or FEM.