+- Woodnet Forums (https://www.forums.woodnet.net)
+-- Thread: rail and Stile router bits (/showthread.php?tid=7361385)
rail and Stile router bits - CEPenworks - 03-05-2021
It has been awhile since I used my rail and stile router bits so I looked up the instructions. They say to use the sale bit around the inside of all the pieces first then use the rail bit on the ends of the rails. Why wouldn't you do the rail ends first? If you do them last you can back up one side with a flat backer but the other side you need to make the mating joint to backup the profile. Doing them first you would only need to backup flat surfaces when routing. Is there some other reason to do the stile first?
RE: rail and Stile router bits - hcbph - 03-05-2021
(03-05-2021, 06:36 PM)CEPenworks Wrote: It has been awhile since I used my rail and stile router bits so I looked up the instructions. They say to use the sale bit around the inside of all the pieces first then use the rail bit on the ends of the rails. Why wouldn't you do the rail ends first? If you do them last you can back up one side with a flat backer but the other side you need to make the mating joint to backup the profile. Doing them first you would only need to backup flat surfaces when routing. Is there some other reason to do the stile first?
First off, I use a shaper to cut mine. I do make the inside cuts first and I make a couple of filler pieces, one with the profile of the end cut and the other is just a blank. I use them to do the cuts (using a miter gauge and fence) and the pieces butt up against the piece I'm cutting to prevent tearout with the respective filler on the exit side of the cut. If you want to cut the ends without a backer you sure can. I'd leave them a little wide and trim them down after making the end cuts to clean out any tearout you have.
My 2 cents.
RE: rail and Stile router bits - CARYinWA - 03-05-2021
I always do the cope end cuts first for tear out reasons.
RE: rail and Stile router bits - fredhargis - 03-06-2021
Like Cary, I do the cope cuts first...seems to work just as well.
RE: rail and Stile router bits - Stwood_ - 03-06-2021
(03-05-2021, 09:23 PM)CARYinWA Wrote: I always do the cope end cuts first for tear out reasons.
+1
RE: rail and Stile router bits - rwe2156 - 03-08-2021
(03-05-2021, 09:23 PM)CARYinWA Wrote: I always do the cope end cuts first for tear out reasons.Same here.
I don't know why they would say do it that way. You can make a backer block out of the same bit, but why bother?
BTW they are called coping (rail ends) and profile bits.
RE: rail and Stile router bits - CEPenworks - 03-08-2021
I did the rail ends first and all went well.
RE: rail and Stile router bits - Halfathumb - 03-12-2021
I've done both but prefer to do the stiles first. That's just my preference, both ways gets the job done. Several test pieces.