If you need to cut through kitchen countertops, bathroom surfaces, laboratory workbenches, or any similarly stubborn surface, you need solid-surface router bits. Built from high-quality, raw materials, these router bits consist of ball bearings and softened, cutting-edge angles—all selected or designed to ensure safety and quality when working on solid surfaces. We are referring to them as router bits, but it’s important to note that you can also attach these accessories to solid-surface planers. Whichever tool you use will depend upon the task at hand.
When it comes to solid-surface bits, choosing whether to use a router or employ a planer depends on the specific task and the desired outcome. Let’s break down the different options.
If you’re using solid-surface bits in a router, chances are you’re shaping, profiling or adding decorative edges to solid-surface materials. This is ideal for detailed work that requires precision and specific design features. Routers also allow you to control the depth and thickness of the material you’re removing, which can be important when working with solid-surface materials.
If you want consistent thickness across the board (or panel), a planer will remove material evenly across whichever side you’re working on. Planers also flatten surfaces, removing any irregularities or warping in the process.
If you’re happy with your work save for the thickness, a planer can thin it down by removing portions of the solid-surface material. Overall, planers are great for uniformity and preparing solid surfaces for assembly or further processing.
In summary, you would use solid surface bits in a router when you need to shape, profile and add decorative features to solid surface materials. On the other hand, you would use a planer when the primary goal is to achieve a consistent thickness or to flatten and smooth the surface of the material. The choice depends on the specific requirements of your woodworking or material processing project.
Sometimes, a task doesn’t call for solid-surface router bits. If you’re working with a laminate material, for example, you’ll need laminate trim bits. Or, to play it more straight, you could go straight for the straight router bits. Whatever you’re working on, Bits4Blokes has the bits and pieces you need to get the job done. Browse our range of solid choices online to find what you’re looking for!