Thread: Birdsmouth router bit

Originally Posted by watson

Evening All
I've just ordered a Birdsmouth bit that is claimed to do 6 sided structures, and 12 sided structures.
After a lot of pencil & paper I've worked out how the bit can do a hexagonal structure, but can't even approach how the same bit could do a 12 sided item.
Any routing gurus around??

Never having used, or even seen one of these bits, I looked this up in one of my router books, Router Tips, Jigs & Techniques. It says that for 6 sided structures you need a 6 side cutter, for 12 side structures you need a 12 side cutter. Having said that, it also says that a 12 side cutter will do structures with 3-12 sides! It then goes on to say that "detailed instructions and simple formulas for making the calculations usually come with the bits".

So , in other words, be patient you b*gger!

Patience is a virtue.........not very virtuous though!
If the detailed instructions don't come with the bit.........I'm buggered.
The bits look like a good thing to play with though.

OK then, you non virtuous you.

Here is a discussion the Router forum, might shed some more light on it for you.

They seem to say that these bits come in sets of 3.

Thanks Fred,
Good link......I must remember my login name for that place........nah!! (probably "non-virtuous noel" or something like that)

I've got it.!!!.......Thanks Fred....one of the attachments to your link showed how it can do the two 6/12 sided structures.
The eagle has landed, and the penny has dropped.

and Google is your friend......................

Also - Lee Valley have full instructions for 3 (?) types of birdsmouth cutters - 6,8 & 12 IIRC on line, just look up the cutters & click 'instructions'

Thanks bsrlee..........you're up early!!

Early, late - its all the same to an ex shift worker

Thanks anyway, and please accept this greenie