Grooving Router Bits | Dado, Roundnose & V-Groove

Grooving Router Bits for Dados, Roundnose Slots, V-Grooves & Bowl Trays

Grooving router bits cut channels, slots, and recesses across or along the grain of a workpiece — operations that are fundamental to cabinet making, furniture joinery, tray routing, and decorative surface work. This collection covers four primary grooving profiles: dado bits for flat-bottomed, square-sided channels; roundnose bits for coved slots and finger channels; V-groove bits for decorative V-cuts and letter carving; and bowl and tray bits for recessed surfaces in trays, serving boards, and drawer organizers.

Dado joints, where a shelf or panel fits into a square channel routed across a cabinet side, are one of the most common structural joints in casework. The 1/4-Inch Shank Dado Router Bit and 1/2-Inch Shank Dado Router Bit let you rout precise dado widths in a single pass, with carbide-tipped cutting edges that stay sharp through production runs in solid wood and plywood.

Bowl & Tray Bits, Roundnose, and V-Groove Options

For routing decorative trays, serving boards, and drawer inserts, choose from the Bowl Tray Router Bits or the 1/2-Inch Deep Reach Bowl Tray Bit with Bearing for guided cuts against a template. Roundnose bits in 1/4-Inch and 1/2-Inch shank versions cut clean coved slots for finger pulls, flutes, and decorative channels. For lettering, sign work, and geometric decoration, the 90-Degree V-Groove Router Bit cuts crisp, clean V-channels in a single pass. Explore the full collection of over 24 grooving bits and consult the Infinity Tools Learning Center for setup and technique guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dado router bit used for?

A dado router bit cuts a flat-bottomed, square-sided channel across the grain of a board, most commonly used to house shelves, drawer bottoms, and cabinet backs in casework. The Infinity Tools Dado Router Bit is available in 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch shank versions for use in both handheld routers and router tables.

What is the difference between a dado and a groove in woodworking?

A dado is a channel cut across the grain of a board; a groove is a channel cut with the grain. Both use the same router bit profiles, but the orientation of the cut relative to the grain changes the terminology and often the technique used.

What is a roundnose router bit used for?

A roundnose (also called a core box) bit cuts a coved, U-shaped channel. Common uses include decorative fluting on furniture legs, finger pulls on tray edges, and coved slots for splines. The 1/2-Inch Shank Roundnose Bits are available with and without a bearing guide.

What is a V-groove router bit used for?

A V-groove bit cuts a V-shaped channel used for sign lettering, decorative chamfers, geometric patterns, and simulated plank lines on flat panels. The 90-Degree V-Groove Router Bit produces a symmetrical V-channel with clean, crisp walls in solid wood, MDF, and plywood.

What is a bowl and tray router bit?

Bowl and tray bits have a flat bottom and rounded corner radius, allowing them to rout shallow recesses with a flat interior floor and smooth, curved sides — ideal for serving trays, drawer organizers, butcher block inserts, and decorative platters. The Bowl Tray Router Bits are available in several sizes and shank configurations.

Should I use a 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch shank grooving router bit?

For router table work and any grooving operation with a bit diameter above 1 inch, a 1/2-inch shank is strongly recommended for reduced vibration and better stability. A 1/4-inch shank is suitable for smaller bits in lighter-duty handheld router applications.

Can I use grooving router bits to make mortise-and-tenon joints?

Roundnose and dado bits can be used to rout loose tenons and corresponding mortises, but dedicated mortise-and-tenon router bits with the correct profile geometry are more efficient. The Infinity Tools Mortise Tenon Router Bits are designed specifically for this joint.

What router speed should I use for grooving router bits?

Router speed depends on bit diameter: larger bits require lower RPM. Most grooving bits in the 1/2-inch to 1-inch cutting diameter range run well at mid-range router speeds. Always consult the manufacturer's speed chart and make test cuts in scrap before running production work.

Are the grooving router bits in this collection carbide tipped?

Yes. All Infinity Tools grooving router bits feature carbide-tipped cutting edges that maintain sharpness significantly longer than high-speed steel bits, especially when routing abrasive materials like MDF and plywood. Visit the Learning Center for tips on bit care and maintenance.

Does Infinity Tools offer a quality guarantee on router bits?

Yes. All router bits sold by Infinity Tools are covered under the standard quality terms. See the Quality Guarantee page for full details, or contact the team with any questions about a specific bit.

Grooving Router Bits & Sets