Chamfer & V Groove Bits

About Chamfer & V Groove Bits

Chamfer and V groove router bits are essential precision cutting tools designed to create decorative edges, bevelled profiles, and accurate angled grooves in a wide range of materials. These specialised router cutters excel at producing professional finishing touches on joinery work, furniture making, signage, and architectural woodworking projects. Whether you're creating elegant bevelled edges on worktops, producing V-shaped grooves for folded aluminium composite panels, or adding decorative chamfers to cabinet doors, these router bits deliver clean, consistent results that distinguish quality craftsmanship.

Our comprehensive range includes bearing-guided chamfer bits for precision edge profiling, V groove cutters for creating crisp angular channels, and specialist designs like triple flute cutters for smoother finishes and mortar groove bits for replicating traditional pointing in wood. Available from trusted brands including Trend, Draper, and Faithfull, these router bits feature high-quality tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) cutting edges that maintain sharpness through extended use. The bearing-guided options provide consistent depth control and protect finished surfaces, whilst pin-guided variants offer versatility for template work and pattern routing.

Most chamfer and V groove bits in our collection are compatible with standard 1/4" and 1/2" router collets, fitting popular routers from Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, and other leading manufacturers. Whether you're a professional joiner working on bespoke fitted furniture, a signmaker preparing aluminium composite boards, or a dedicated DIY enthusiast elevating your woodworking projects, selecting the correct chamfer or V groove bit ensures professional results with minimal finishing required.

Jargon Buster

• Bearing Guided: Router bits fitted with a bearing that runs along the workpiece edge or template, controlling the depth of cut and ensuring consistent results without requiring a router fence or guide.
• Tungsten Carbide Tipped (TCT): Router bits featuring cutting edges made from extremely hard tungsten carbide material, providing superior edge retention and durability compared to high-speed steel, particularly when working with abrasive materials or composite boards.
• Chamfer Angle: The angle of the bevelled edge created by the cutter, typically 45 degrees for standard chamfer bits, though other angles are available for specific applications and decorative effects.
• V Groove: An angular channel with sloping sides forming a V-shaped profile, commonly used in signmaking to create fold lines in aluminium composite panels (Alucobond, Dibond) or for decorative detailing in timber.
• Flute: The cutting edge and chip clearance channel on a router bit. Triple flute cutters have three cutting edges, providing smoother finishes and allowing faster feed rates compared to single or double flute designs.
• Shank Diameter: The cylindrical portion that fits into the router collet, typically available in 1/4" (6.35mm) or 1/2" (12.7mm) sizes, with larger shanks providing greater stability and reduced vibration during routing operations.

Who Uses Chamfer & V Groove Bits?

• Joiners and Cabinet Makers: Creating decorative edge profiles on doors, drawer fronts, worktops, and bespoke furniture pieces
• Shopfitters: Producing professional finishes on retail fixtures, display units, and commercial joinery installations
• Signmakers: Preparing aluminium composite panels for folding, creating crisp V grooves at precise depths for professional signage fabrication
• Kitchen Fitters: Chamfering worktop edges, door panels, and creating decorative details on fitted kitchen installations
• Furniture Restorers: Replicating period chamfer profiles and bevelled edges when repairing or reproducing antique furniture
• Carpenters: Adding finishing touches to architraves, skirting boards, window boards, and door frames
• Staircase Specialists: Creating chamfered edges on handrails, newel posts, and stair treads for both aesthetic and safety purposes
• DIY Enthusiasts: Enhancing home woodworking projects with professional-looking bevelled edges and decorative grooves

How to Choose the Right Chamfer & V Groove Bits

Bearing Guided vs Pin Guided: Bearing-guided bits offer superior control for edge profiling and protect finished surfaces from marking, making them ideal for visible edges. Pin-guided cutters work with templates and are better suited for pattern work or when working away from edges.

Chamfer Angle and Size: Standard 45-degree chamfer bits suit most applications, but consider the visual effect you require. Larger diameter cutters create wider bevels, whilst smaller bits are perfect for delicate work on narrow stock. Mini chamfer bits excel for detail work on smaller projects.

Shank Diameter: Match the shank size to your router's collet capacity. Half-inch shanks provide better stability and reduce vibration for larger bits, whilst quarter-inch shanks suit lighter-duty applications and smaller routers. Never use reducing sleeves with router bits as this compromises safety.

Material Compatibility: Most TCT chamfer bits handle softwoods, hardwoods, and MDF effectively. For specialist applications like aluminium composite panels (Alucobond), choose dedicated V groove cutters designed for these materials, such as Trend's Alucobond-specific router bits.

Number of Flutes: Triple flute chamfer bits produce smoother finishes with less visible tool marks, require fewer passes, and allow faster feed rates. Single and double flute cutters are more economical for general-purpose work where slight surface texture is acceptable or will be sanded.

Brand Quality: Professional brands like Trend offer precision-ground cutting edges, accurate bearing alignment, and better carbide grades that maintain sharpness longer. Budget options from Draper and Faithfull suit occasional use, whilst Trend's CRAFTPRO range bridges the gap for semi-professional applications.

Popular Accessories

• Router Tables: Provide stable platforms for consistent chamfering and grooving operations, particularly beneficial for smaller workpieces that are difficult to control with handheld routing
• Guide Bushes and Templates: Enable precise pattern routing and repetitive work when using pin-guided chamfer bits
• Router Collets and Spanners: Replacement collets ensure proper bit retention, whilst dedicated spanners facilitate safe bit changes
• Dust Extraction Accessories: Hoses, adaptors, and extraction hoods connect to workshop vacuums from Makita, DeWalt, or Festool to maintain clean working conditions
• Router Bit Storage Cases: Protect cutting edges from damage and keep your cutter collection organised and readily accessible
• Push Sticks and Featherboards: Essential safety accessories that keep hands away from cutters whilst maintaining workpiece control during routing operations
• Bit Cleaning Products: Resin removers and pitch dissolvers maintain cutting performance and extend bit life

Safety Information

Router bits operate at extremely high rotational speeds, making proper safety precautions essential. Always wear approved eye protection and hearing defenders when routing, as flying chips and router noise can cause serious injury and hearing damage. Ensure workpieces are securely clamped or held in a router table before commencing cutting operations—never attempt to rout freehand on unsecured materials.

Check maximum RPM ratings marked on router bits and never exceed the manufacturer's recommended speed, as excessive rotation can cause carbide tip failure or bearing seizure. Perform all bit changes with the router unplugged from the mains supply, and ensure bits are fully inserted into the collet with at least three-quarters of the shank length engaged. Inspect bits before each use for damaged cutting edges, bearing wear, or shank damage.

Always rout in the correct feed direction—against the bit's rotation—to maintain control and prevent dangerous kickback. Take shallow passes rather than attempting to remove too much material in a single cut, particularly with larger diameter chamfer bits. Familiarise yourself with HSE guidance on woodworking machinery and maintain adequate dust extraction to comply with workplace exposure limits for wood dust, a known carcinogen requiring proper control measures under COSHH regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a chamfer bit and a V groove bit?

Chamfer bits create bevelled edges along the edge of a workpiece, typically at 45 degrees, and are primarily used for decorative edge profiles and easing sharp corners. V groove bits cut angular channels into the face of materials, producing a V-shaped profile used for signage work (particularly creating fold lines in aluminium composite panels), decorative detailing, or replicating traditional mortar joints in timber cladding.

Can I use chamfer and V groove bits in a handheld router or do I need a router table?

Both handheld routers and router tables work well with these bits, though each approach suits different applications. Bearing-guided chamfer bits excel in handheld routers for edge profiling on large panels or installed work. Router tables provide better control for smaller workpieces, repetitive operations, and when working with V groove bits that require precise depth settings. The choice depends on your workpiece size and the specific operation.

How deep should I cut when chamfering edges?

Chamfer depth depends on your material thickness and aesthetic preference, but avoid chamfering more than half the material thickness as this weakens the edge. For standard 18mm boards, a 3-6mm chamfer (measured along the face) provides attractive detailing without compromising strength. When routing V grooves in aluminium composite panels for folding, precise depth is critical—typically cutting through the top skin and into the core without penetrating the bottom skin.

Do I need to use specific router speeds for chamfer and V groove bits?

Always consult the manufacturer's recommendations, but generally, larger diameter bits require slower router speeds whilst smaller bits can run faster. Most chamfer and V groove bits between 15-30mm diameter perform well at 18,000-24,000 RPM on variable speed routers. Reduce speed when working with plastics or aluminium composite materials to prevent melting or burning, and increase speed slightly for very hard timbers to achieve clean cuts.

How do I achieve perfectly smooth chamfered edges without burn marks?

Burn marks result from excessive friction caused by slow feed rates, dull cutters, or incorrect router speed. Maintain a steady, consistent feed rate—moving too slowly generates heat whilst moving too quickly produces rough cuts. Ensure your router bit is sharp with clean cutting edges free from resin buildup. Take multiple shallow passes rather than one heavy cut, particularly on hardwoods, and consider triple flute chamfer bits which distribute cutting forces across more edges for smoother results.