I need some woodworking help!! Need some advice on router bits

[kehi]

Hey guys and gals, I am in the process of building a center channel home theater speaker. I need to know what router bit is the best for making radius or chamfered edges on the cabinet I have built. The link I am looking at for pictures is here and here. These are the types of edges I want and please lmk what router bit I need to make this a success. Thanks and take care

 

[GRIFFIN1]

I got these off the home depot website.

1/2" X 1" Laminate Flush Trim Bit, Two Flutes, Ball Bearing Pilot, Carbide Tipped
Brand: Oldham
SKU #615852

Good for cutting veneer. Also works well for trimming off any overhanging wood on your joints.

***

1/2" Radius Roundover Bit, Two Flutes, Ball Bearing Pilot, Carbide Tipped
Brand: Oldham
SKU #489352 $27.54 (has a ball bearing)

1/2" Radius 3/4" X 1-3/4" Roundover Bit
Brand: Oldham
SKU #555949 $8.69 (no ball bearing) I used this one, and it worked fine.

These can only be used for one thing. Making a 1/2" radius.

***

You will also need a 1/4" straight cut bit if you want to use the router to cut the holes for your speakers. To do this, you will also need a "Jasper Jig" sold by Parts Express. JASPER CIRCLE JIG MODEL 200 cuts circles from 2.25" to just over 18". 2.25 will probably be too large for your teaters, so might want to look at the JASPER CIRCLE JIG MODEL 400. The model 400 will make from 1" to 7.5" circles which is fine for a speaker that doesn't use over a 6.5" driver. I only had the model 200, and I had to freehand the openings for my tweeters.

I also used the straight cut bit for flush mounting the drivers. I just set the stop on my plunge router to .25" and used the jasper jig to cut out the circles. I cut a groove .25" deep and .25" wide. Then I cut another circle .25" smaller untill I got to the area where I was going to cut all the way through for the driver cutout. I also used this for my tweeters, but the depth was only 1/8".

***

I didn't use a 45 degree chamfer bit. I don't see why you couldn't just use the 1/2" radius bit instead.

***

Make sure you use eye protection, a respirator (paper one worked fine for me), and some ear plugs (you don't want to go deaf building your HIFI speakers). I didn't have a respirator on my first day of cutting, and the fine dust that comes off MDF had my throat and sinuses messed up for a week.

 

[911paramedic]

It will look a lot like this.

 

[FenrisUlf]

Rockler has a good selection. I use a 3/4" roundover bit w/bearing for the rounded edges, although some people use up to 1.5" roundovers. If you're going to wrap veneer around the edge, 3/4" is the minimum size needed, and you should only bevel one pair of edges, not all. If you're going to paint, it doesn't matter, but the bigger the roundover, the better. Some people say that less than a 1.5" roundover will have no effect on baffle diffraction. To use bits this big you'll probably need a hefty router (I've got a pretty tough Bosch) or you'll need to start with a 1/2" roundover first to remove some material. These bits will throw a ton of wood, so make sure you're ready for the copious amounts of dust created.

 

[arcas]

Also, you definitely want carbide-tipped bits. Don't skimp here. You might think you're saving money buying high speed steel (HSS) bits but you'll change your mind after you realize your bit is dull after building a couple cabinets.

 

[GRIFFIN1]

1/2" radius worked fine for my veneer. 10 mil paper backed. What does a 1.5" round over bit cost?