Is a router the right tool to make long 1/8”-3/16” wide grooves or slots in wood? It seems like I could do it with a circular saw, but only if the desired width matches my blade kerf. I don’t have a table saw. If it is the right tool, does anyone have bits or bit sets they recommend for such small cuts?
Thank you. On the 1/8 table saw blade, your concern is that you prefer narrower, lighter blades?
Do you have any particular recommendations for identifying quality router bits?
I would feel safer using a thicker table saw blade, a 1/8 blade feels sketchy to me. 1/4 is a pretty standard size kerf for good reason. It could be entirely safe with caution and safe in terms of physics, but even an 800rpm blade at 1/8 thick feels like a pinch could be a disaster when you cut too deep.
I don’t have a specific brand of features to look for, but this is a case where you get what you pay for. Spending $60 on that bit can be worth more than spending $20 on that size bit in frustration and medical bills alone.
Are you sure you’re not getting your measurements wrong? In my experience most table saw blades are 1/8". 1/4" is pretty thick for a blade that isn’t a dado stack. They make blades even thinner than 1/8" that are perfectly safe as long as they’re used within their rated rpms.
I’ve routed grooves before on a handful of projects. A router with a template will make things easier if you have many grooves. If its only a few, a table saw is fine. The problem with the table saw is the time it will take to adjust the fence for each new cut.
You are totally right, I was doubling the blade thickness. Don’t Lemmy while drunk. Going thinner than 1/8 just feels sketchier than I like, despite knowing it is reasonably safe.