Router bits for stone primarily concern stone profiling. These bits can shape, engrave, carve, or profile hard materials and stones like marble, granite, quartz, ceramics, concrete, and even engineered stones. The actual difference between these specialized bits and wood router bits is the ability to sustain the wear and tear caused by hard materials. One of the most frequent ways of mounting the bits is to a CNC machine, which may also include a cooling system that quenches the heat generated from profiling while also settling down any stone dust. These router bits are made tough, hardened & really strong plus they are built to last without wearing down easily. Mostly equipped with hard materials like diamond and carbide, they prove to be valuable in treating stones with great precision.
Let us explore in detail the 3 most common types of router bits:
Profile Router Bits: These router bits are used to profile stone edges for a finer and professional look. They are mostly used to treat the edges of countertops, stairwells, vanities, and even stone carvings. Available in various sizes and shapes, these router bits for stone can offer you the desired edge style, such as bevel, ogee, bullnose, or round, depending on your preference or requirement. These bits can be both CNC-assisted or manual and offer efficient profiling results as they are mostly tipped with diamond, which is one of the hardest known materials and best suitable for stone profiling.
Core Router Bits
For polished finishes and appearance, core router bits are used for the creation of perfectly round holes in hard stone materials such as granite and marble. These bits, known alternatively as core drilling bits, are intended to trigger a cylindrical hole at the declared working position in the target surface. They offer hole-making for taps, sinks & other applications.
To effectively cut a round hole of the required diameter, the bit is positioned on the target surface and moved laterally. The router bits come in different diameters by letting you to choose which suits your needs or preferences. To hold the piece of stone that was being removed during the procedure, they possess a hollow center. Often, these stone router bits will be paired with CNC machines for utmost accuracy. They are also often used in conjunction with water-cooling systems that will efficiently disperse the heat generated during the hole-digging process to avoid damaging the bit or producing an excess of stone dust.
Engraving Bits: Also referred to as V-groove bits, these router bits are suitable for decorative carving on stone. They got their name, V-groove, because the tip of these routers is in a V-shape. This V-shape tip is used to carve a custom letter or design on mostly memorial or business stones. The width and depth of these bits at varying angles can carve the desired letter, shape, or logo on the target surface (usually granite or marble). For custom memorial or decorative designs, the precision is of utmost importance, which is why these router bits for stone are mostly used with a CNC (computer numerical control) machine to ensure accurate engraving.
