Which router bit for making "divots"???

[Dave Gaul]

I am planning to make a Bakugan display/storage shelf for my soon-to-be step son.. a five year old... if you don't know what Bakugans are, they are small toys that look like balls, about 1" diameter when closed, when these "balls" touch a magnet, they open up to a "Bakugan Warrior"...

Anyway, I want to make "divots" in the shelves of the display case, so that the Bakugans will rest in these divots when closed.. thinking the diameter of the divot should be 1/2" or 3/4", and maybe 3/8" or 1/2" deep...

So, main question, should I use a core box bit? a round nose bit? something else? Plan to make the divots using a plunge router, with some type of shop-made jig of course!

[Chad Easterling]

I'd probably use a round-nose bit. I use those for fluting and that would be about right IMO. Not sure if you could get one spinning fast enough on a drill press, but that would ensure no slippage when making the divet....

[Charles Wiggins]

this http://www.freudtools.com/p-180-round-nose-bits.aspx

If the Bakugan actually measures 1 inch in diameter, if you got the 1/2 inch radius you could make the divot as shallow as you like but the Bakugan would still rest perfectly in it.

[Cary Falk]

Any reason you just can't use a Forstner or brad point bit of the correct size? I have seen it used for golf ball and baseball displays. I'm sure a router bit would look a little more pleasing.

[Zach England]

I did something like this with a bit designed to route bowls, trays and such. It had just the right profile.

[Dave Gaul]

Charles... I'll have to measure one of them, but I do like the idea of them resting perfectly!

Cary... no reason not to use a Forstner, will consider it, just thinking the rounded divot will look better, and it's an excuse for a new router bit!

Zach... thought about getting a bowl bit too, because I do wanna make the chip & dip tray that was in the last copy of WOOD!

AAHHH decisions decisions!!!

Chad and others... is a round nose bit ok/designed for plunging?

[glenn bradley]

Forstner would be cheapest and probably on hand. If a bowled divot is a must I second a round-nose bit in a plunge router; too easy.

[Aaron Wingert]

I'm just glad that I finally know what the heck a Bakugan is....My wife's friend's kid wouldn't stop jabbering about them the other day and I just acted like I knew what he was talking about. I figured he was mispronouncing something.

I don't see any reason you couldn't plunge a round nose router bit. Just watch the speed and the amount of time you're in the hole so you don't get any burning if the shelf will be stained.

[Myk Rian]

Here ya go. An E-bay item.

http://www.elitetools.ca/melissa_ebay/router_set_half/81-006RC-1900.jpg

[Van Huskey]

Here ya go. An E-bay item.

http://www.elitetools.ca/melissa_ebay/router_set_half/81-006RC-1900.jpg


Dunno why but ebay and that item gave me a thought. Some guy dropping the biggest one in a hand held router and starting to hog out a 1/2" deep trough in one pass....

[Rod Sheridan]

Dave, I was going to be a wise and guy and state that every time I use an electric router I produce great divots, however they're not consistent:D.

The round nose bits look ideal, and thanks for explaining what a Bakogan was, my days of having young kids is long gone.

regards, Rod.

[Chad Easterling]

I used a 3/4" round-nose bit to route the flutes on my entertainment center.... plunged the bit into the board and then lifted it out at the end of the run. This is similar to the bit I used-

http://images.rockler.com/rockler/images/90891-01-200.jpg

[Maurice Ungaro]

The term you're looking for is a "core box bit".

[Anthony Whitesell]

this http://www.freudtools.com/p-180-round-nose-bits.aspx

If the Bakugan actually measures 1 inch in diameter, if you got the 1/2 inch radius you could make the divot as shallow as you like but the Bakugan would still rest perfectly in it.

Actually I think the 1" diameter would be more the right size to match the curve of the game piece. Placed in a plunge router with the depth stop set for ~1/4" deep.

FWIW, pegboard makes a great indexing jig.

[Van Huskey]

Actually I think the 1" diameter would be more the right size to match the curve of the game piece. Placed in a plunge router with the depth stop set for ~1/4" deep.

FWIW, pegboard makes a great indexing jig.


1/2" radius = 1" diameter

[Dave Gaul]

The term you're looking for is a "core box bit".


It appears that there is a difference between a core box bit and a round nose bit... not sure what, but here is an example...

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_core.html

looks like a round nose bit just has a longer cutter?

[Dave Gaul]

Think I'm gonna go with the forstner bit method.. have a set on hand, and needs to be done soon!