Router bits advice please

[Pete Wild]

Hello all, after a bit of advice on router bits. Hope this is the correct forum section, couldn't see one dedicated to routers etc

Anyway, I've had need to rebuild a step on my Daughters stairs and need to bullnose said step.

It's approx 33mm in thickness and after a quick Google, I 'think' I have two options.
1. A purpose built bull nosing bit that does the operation in one sweep
or
2. A round over bit that does it in two sweeps, one top, one bottom.

The problem, I seem to think anyway, with option 1. is that they are a specific size, so if I go too small it leaves a 'lip' on either side of the bull nosing, or if I go too big, its not round but more curved, if that makes sense.

There you go, possibly, probably, a daft question, but feel free to chip in

TIA

 

[Doug71]

Option 3.......... Hand plane, probably cheapest and quickest method if you have one?

If you do go for a router bit a round over would be more useful for future projects.

 

[Orraloon]

For just one tread I would go with a hand plane and save my money.
round over stair tread with a hand plane - Google Search
The video shows how easy it is.
Regards
John

 

[Yojevol]

Hybrid solution:-
Start with a router chamfer cutter and finish with a hand plane.
Brian

 

[aesmith]

Doing it by hand also means you can create a more natural curve, rather than being limited to strict fixed radius quarter circle.

 

[Wilson joinery]

Hi Pete

Not sure how familiar you are with routers but if you go with the router option, make sure you don’t do the cut in a one-er. Take several passes down to full depth. Hope I’m not telling you how to suck eggs!

Cheers
Pete

 

[recipio]

A dedicated bullnose bit will do a far better job. You will have to decide on the finished thread thickness and whether it's worth buying a bit for a one off job. For a 33 mm thickness thread you will need a 16.5 mm radius bit or slightly over - 17 mm would be ideal. Take the cut with a few passes and you will need to shim out the router out feed fence as the cut will reduce your board by a mm or two. For one off jobs like this I usually find a cheap bit on Amazon so I don't feel too guilty.

 

[Pete Wild]

Hi Pete

Not sure how familiar you are with routers but if you go with the router option, make sure you don’t do the cut in a one-er. Take several passes down to full depth. Hope I’m not telling you how to suck eggs!

Cheers
Pete

Mate, one thing I know is there is always someone that knows more than I do, and the art is to learn off them.
From my early DIY efforts, when I had little money to make mistakes, I developed a strong 'measure twice, cut once' mindset, this in turn has led to a 'cut a little bit off and reassess the situation'

Thanks, I will indeed go slow

 

[Pete Wild]

Thanks all for your comments, while Id like to think my manual planing skills are OK, I still manage to end up somewhat wonky, so as far as this job goes, Ill skip that but def mark it down for practice on a scrap bit of wood.
As far as the router bits, I've now ordered a mid range, or at least a mid priced, rounding over bit from Amazon, so Ill see how that plays out.
Thanks to recipio's suggestion also, I might even invest in a 17mm bullnose bit and compare the two results.
I know the step is a one off but once I've got a tool I'm keen to rush around bull nosing everything if it needs it or wants it or not

 

[Pete Wild]

A dedicated bullnose bit will do a far better job. You will have to decide on the finished thread thickness and whether it's worth buying a bit for a one off job. For a 33 mm thickness thread you will need a 16.5 mm radius bit or slightly over - 17 mm would be ideal. Take the cut with a few passes and you will need to shim out the router out feed fence as the cut will reduce your board by a mm or two. For one off jobs like this I usually find a cheap bit on Amazon so I don't feel too guilty.

I was struggling to find a bull nose at that size, hence I went with the rounding over bit.
I had assumed they just didn't exist until I saw your reply, but if we say 16mm = 5/8 inch or 17mm = almost 11/16 inch, have you seen either of those sizes for sale? Would it be cheeky to ask where? As I say I have looked, but with little success

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The go to for routers cutters -


https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Router_Cutters_1.html

 

[Pete Wild]

The go to for routers cutters -


https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Router_Cutters_1.html

Cheers Phil, they certainly have a good selection. Bit pricey for me but I guess, you gets what you pays for.....

 

[recipio]

I was struggling to find a bull nose at that size, hence I went with the rounding over bit.
I had assumed they just didn't exist until I saw your reply, but if we say 16mm = 5/8 inch or 17mm = almost 11/16 inch, have you seen either of those sizes for sale? Would it be cheeky to ask where? As I say I have looked, but with little success

Cheers. You have probably checked out Wealden who do a full bullnose up to 32mm ( 16 mm radius ) Remember that you can get ' shallow ' bullnose bits mainly made in China. They rout part of a circle and look absolutely fine. I ordered a few and have no problems with them.