A reader emailed in, asking how he could use 3/16″ shank Dremel Trio router bits with his Dremel rotary tool. The answer: you can’t. (Or can you?) The discussion got me thinking about 1/8″ shank router bits and whether there were any you can find (and trust) besides Dremel’s.
Note: For safe and stable operation you really should consider using a router base or attachment when using router bits with a rotary tool.
Dremel Router Bits
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I never tried these myself but have heard good things about them. The bits are commonly found as part of a 6-piece set and include, from left to right: a beading bit, corner rounding bit, core box bit, chamfer bit, 1/8″ straight it, 1/4″ straight bit.
These bits are made from high-speed steel and aren’t too pricey. The set is priced at $22-25 and individual bits are $6-8. There are a couple of additional bits, such as a v-groove router bit, but the selection is rather limited.
Available via Amazon and most home centers.
Steelex 10-Piece Set
It’s hard to say whether this Steelex mini router bit set is the same as the other import sets that sell for a fraction of the price, but it at least looks different.
This 10-piece set has been on my wishlist for quite some time, but I’ve never needed 1/8″ shank router bits enough to give it a try.
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It looks to offer a cove bit, roundover bit beading bit, 3 straight bits, a rabetting bit, and 3 grooving bits.
For a little more money than the Dremel set you get an extra four router bits.
Buy Now (via Amazon)
MLCS Mini Router Bits
MLCS is a very well-known name when it comes to router bits and accessories. They offer a couple of other products, but router bits seem to be their core business.
Their 8-piece assortment includes: round over, roman ogee, chamfer, 1/8″ and 1/4″ straight, 1/4″ round nose, 1/4″ V-groove, and 1/8″ point cutting bit profiles. Each bit is also available separately.
You’ll pay extra for MLCS quality: the 8-piece set is $80 and individual bits are $8-$18 each. All of these bits are two-flute (except for the single-flue 1/8″ straight bit), with carbide tips. The edge-routing bits have 5/32″ brass pilots for smooth guidance.
If you’re serious about routing with a Dremel or other 1/8″ rotary tool, these are probably the best bits on the market.
Available via Amazon and MLCS directly
Jason
Precisebits.com sells 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 shanked carbide end mills in any size you need. They also sell precision collets and nuts.
Quality stuff. And I have no connection with them other than bring a happy customer.
I have been less than impressed with 1/8 shank profiled bits.
fred
Amana also makes these bits – sold individually or in sets – the MRS-200 set shown here:
http://www.toolstoday.com/c-371-miniature-router-bits.aspx
I believe that ther is also an MRS-1000 set
fred
Sorry for my mistake on the Amana bits – which are 1/4 inch shank – not 1/8th
Mel
Gyros Tools has some 1/8″ shank bits as well:
http://www.gyrostools.com/index.html
AndrewC
Great links. A friend just built a CNC dremel machine and was burning through the standard HSS dremel bits lightning fast.
Grant Bourne
“A reader emailed in, asking how he could use 3/16″ shank Dremel Trio router bits with his Dremel rotary tool. The answer: you can’t. (Or can you?) ”
Well actually you can if you have the right collet for the Trio. In order to try and sell more Dremel Trio’son my website I had a local precision engineering company make us collets that are the same as the Trio but the hole in the middle is for 1/8″ (3.2mm) accessories. We’ve been selling them on Ebay and they’ve been very popular, just search on Ebay for ”
Dremel Trio Collet Adapter For 3.2mm (1/8″) Shank Accessories”.
And yes sorry this has been a commercial message but hey it cost a lot to get the collets made and we only break even for each one we sell, but they help anyone with a Trio to make it a lot more useful!
I can also vouch for the Gyros 1/8″ shank router bits, cheaper than Dremel and same/better quality.
Grant.
Stuart
The reader wanted to use the larger-sized 3/16″ Trio bits on smaller rotary tools with 1/8″ maximum collet size. Your collet allows for smaller 1/8″ bits to be used with Trios, which are designed for 3/16″ bits.
As for your comment being a commercial message, such is sometimes permitted when the spam-factor is low, as it is here.
Matt
Micromark also has a decent selection (as far as I know these are rebranded Proxxon products, at least most of their power tools for modeling are)
http://www.micromark.com/routers.html
David
I need to plunge a 1/8″ diameter hole through a 3/4″ thick board using a router with a 1/4″ collet. This means the cutting surface has to be 3/4″ long, otherwise the 1/4″ collet will stop the plunge.
I cannot find a router bit that is configured this way. Anybody know of something that will work?
Stuart
I cannot find anything of the size you’re looking for. You might have to consider using a drill bit.
I took a quick look at several of my go-to router bit and end mill sources, and the most they have are 1/8″ bits with 1/2″ cutting flute lengths.
A 1/8″ x 3/4″ bit with 1/4″ shank has a very high aspect ratio and would be easily snapped if any side load was placed on the cutting area. That’s why they don’t make such bits.
Your best bet would be to use a drill bit or possibly find a 1/4″ to 1/8″ collet adapter. That way you can use 1/8″ shank bits. Even then, a drill bit would be better as it would provide a better path for chip removal.
Tom
Hello,
How could I mount a 1/16″ drill bit in a 1/4″ router collet? I’m using it to carve in plaster. Thanks
Stuart
With an adapter?
Why not look at 1/4″ shank bits with 1/16″ cutter diameters?
Tom
Thanks Stuart,
I’m carving deeper than the available cutter depths. The longest 1/16″ bit has a cutter length of 1/2″.