I have been asked to put a blood groove in one of my cutting boards. What profile router bit does anyone typically use? And how deep do you cut the blood groove with said router bit profile? Does the wood make a difference on which router bit profile you use? Thanks in advance for any consideration you can give this matter.
I think it's called a cove bit and just make it pleasing to the
eye to the size of the board you make.
Mine was a 1/2 inch bit about 1/2" inch deep, but the
cutting board was a little bigger than normal.
There's a bit called a core box bit. I use them for making flutes. As one who USES cutting boards (I'm the cook since I retired and she's still workin'), I'd say use a 3/4 core box bit but only take it to about 3/8 deep. Half inch is pretty deep.
What's my suggestion do that's different from the half by half groove? If makes for gentler sides which equates to EASIER CLEANING. See…. as the cook, I also have to clean up the prep utensils. She'll clear the table after dinner and do the dishes, but if I make a holy mess while cooking a meal, that's on me.
A half by half groove with sharp edges at the top would be hard for me to clean. If there's less of an edge break it gets easier. Instead of going half by half and then breaking that edge all around, if you use a 3/4 core box at 3/8 deptch, the edge will break naturally when you machine sand the top (or hand sand if that's what you're in to.)
They have different names depending on where in the world you are and who makes them, but I would call it a core box bit, as mentioned above.
Before you start routing your groove, take the time to practice on a few bits of scrap to get the bit speed right - go at it full tilt and you could end up with burn marks which are a pain to sand out.
I agree with Charlie. I used a 7/16" core box bit on my first one. As it goes thru daily use, I wish I had made it a little less deep to make cleaning easier. Start shallow. You can always make a second pass…...........................
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and advice. I wasn't sure if a bowl bit or a core box bit was used more for this function. It appears the core box bit wins.
One last question - do you leave the edge left by the core box bit square or do you feather it into the board?
I decided on a circular blood groove and added this picture to my Bulge Illusion Cutting Board project post. I went with a 1/2" diameter ball nose end mill 1/4" deep. Thanks again!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!