Description
The Procat 12-piece router bit set contains the twelve most common router bits with a 6 mm shank in a wooden storage box. The bits are intended for working wood and wood-based boards with a hand router or in a router table.
The bit bodies are steel and the cutting edges are carbide. A carbide edge stays sharp longer than carbon steel in hardwood, chipboard and MDF, whose binders wear the edge.
A 6 mm shank is the most common collet size for small and cordless hand routers. The set can also be used in routers with an 8 mm collet with a separately available reducing sleeve. The shank must be clamped in the collet over its full clamping length so that the bit does not wobble.
The wooden storage box keeps the bits apart and protects the edges from knocks. The compartments in the box are marked with the profiles of the bits, so you can find the right bit without measuring. A larger set in the same range is the Procat router bit set 35-piece, aluminium case, 8 mm shank.
Intended use and suitability:
Router bits remove wood with a rotating cutting action. The shape of the bit determines the profile of the cut, and the shank size determines which router the bit fits.
- Edge work: rounding, chamfering and profiling the edges of workpieces in furniture, worktops and trims.
- Grooving: housing grooves, tongue-and-groove slots and cable grooves in boards and solid wood.
- Engraving: routing patterns, letters and decorative lines with a template or freehand.
- Joint work: rebating and joint grooves, with the workpiece guided by a fence or bearing.
- Router table work: profiling small pieces with the router mounted in a table and the workpiece guided by a fence.
Package contents:
- 12 router bits, 6 mm shank
- Wooden storage box with compartments and bit profiles
Features:
- Carbide edges: stay sharp in board materials containing glue, where carbon steel dulls quickly.
- 6 mm shank: fits the most common small and cordless hand routers, and an 8 mm collet with a reducing sleeve.
- 12 bits: one set covers the basic profiles for edge work, grooving and engraving.
- Wooden box: bits kept apart, edges protected in transport and storage.
- Profiles in the compartments: find the right bit by its profile without measuring.
Technical specifications:
- Bits: 12 pcs.
- Shank diameter: 6 mm.
- Body material: steel.
- Cutting edge: carbide.
- Materials: solid wood, plywood, MDF, chipboard.
- Storage: wooden compartment box.
- Compatibility: 6 mm collet; 8 mm collet with a reducing sleeve.
Procat 12-piece router bit set instructions for use:
Fitting the bit: Disconnect the router from the power supply or remove the battery. Push the shank into the collet over its full clamping length and pull it back out about 1–2 mm so that the shank does not bottom out in the collet. Tighten the collet nut with the spanner. A loosely fitted bit will come out while rotating.
Depth adjustment: Set the cutting depth with the router’s depth stop. Cut deep grooves in several passes, typically no more than the bit diameter at a time. A groove cut too deep in one pass loads the bit and burns the wood surface.
Feed direction: Clamp the workpiece. Feed the router against the direction of rotation of the bit (conventional cut); in a climb cut, the router pulls itself forward. In edge work, the bearing or fence guides the bit along the workpiece.
Test run: Try a new profile on a scrap piece before the actual job and check the finish and depth.
Care: Clean resin and sawdust off the bits after use with resin remover; a resin layer increases friction and heats the edge. Dry the bits and spray a thin rust protection on the body, not on the edge. Store the bits in the box, kept apart.
Warnings:
- Disconnect the router from the power supply or remove the battery before changing the bit.
- Wear safety glasses and ear defenders; routing throws out chips and makes a lot of noise. Collect wood dust with local extraction.
- Do not use a cracked, bent or dull bit. Check the edges and bearing before each fitting.
- Clamp the workpiece. A piece held in the hand can be dragged along by the bit.
- Do not exceed the speed stated for the bit by the router manufacturer. Large-diameter bits need a lower speed.
- The bit is hot straight after routing. Let it cool before handling.
- Do not use a 6 mm shank in an 8 mm collet without the proper reducing sleeve.
- Store the bits in the box out of the reach of children; the edges are sharp.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ):
Does the 6 mm shank fit an 8 mm collet? Yes, with a separately available reducing sleeve. Without the sleeve, the shank will not tighten in the collet and will come loose while rotating.
Can the bits be used in a router table? Yes, when the router is mounted in the table and the workpiece is guided by a fence. Edge bits with bearings also work along the edge of the workpiece without a fence.
How deep a groove can I cut at once? Split a deep groove into several passes. As a rule of thumb, take no more depth per pass than the diameter of the bit.
Why is the cut burnt? The most common causes are too slow a feed, a dull edge and a resin-coated bit. Increase the feed rate, clean the bit and check the condition of the edges.
Can the bits be used on plastic or aluminium? The bits are intended for wood and wood-based boards. For metal and plastic, use bits and cutting values made for those materials.
How are the bits cleaned? Soak or spray with resin remover, brush the resin off with a brass brush, dry and protect the body with a thin film of oil. Do not scrape the edge with metal.
Recycling instructions:
Used router bits go to metal collection; carbide-tipped bits belong with metal waste. Sort the wooden storage box into wood waste or energy waste. Cover sharp edges before disposal.
