Reversible tongue and groove bits - need bushing?

[Stephen Tashiro]

Can reversible tongue and groove bits ( like http://www.grizzly.com/products/Reversible-Tongue-Groove-Bit-Wedge-1-2-Shank/C1244 ) be used on a router that's not in a router table? Do they require a bushing?

[Mike Schuch]

Bushing? Do you mean a guide bearing? I don't think a guide bearing would work because there would be nothing for it to ride on.

I think you would need a fence on your hand held router to use a tongue and grove bit like the one in the link.

Many years ago Stanley made the best fence for hand held routing router ever:

322963 322964 322965

[Bradley Gray]

You need the type of bit that allows the cutters and bearings to be rearranged on the shaft. Guide bearing above &/or below cutter for grooving, between cutters for making the tongue. There are a couple of these on the page you linked.

[pat warner]

Yes, they can be used in a hand router, with an edge guide.
But best done with a secondary reference longer than the work.
Edge guides lose their cool whence the router is <1/2 on the work.