Wainscot Router Bit – Valfortools

Wainscot Router Bit: a unique design by Valfor Tools

	There are many ways to make a back panel for a cabinet. The common denominator is the necessity to allow for seasonal movement, except of course in the case of plywood. Apart from a fully blown raised panel, a common way to make the panel is with shiplapped narrow stock, as shown here. A full tongue and groove lay-out offers slightly more stability. This is often combined with a bead along one edge (the one with the tongue) of the individual boards.
	However, the traditional beading bit can only make a straight (“vertical”) cut on the inside of the bead. Only commercially available beaded boards, such as highlighted in this detailed picture, could offer a V-groove on either side of the bead.
	Valfor Tools has developed a novelty design for a single router bit that can do this operation.Leading manufacturer of the famous orange cutting tools CMT have adopted the design. The Wainscot Router Bit can now be found in the CMT catalogue under reference 861.601.11.For the first time the woodworker can replicate the V-beaded boards that were hitherto only available ready made.
	This is how to make these elegant panels. Just as for the traditional beaded joint, the first operation is to make a Tongue & Groove on the side of each panel (CMT set 800.626.11, or, as in this photo 800.526.11). This is the sum total of orange tools required for the Wainscot joint (and a sneak preview of where this is going).
	As always, the Tongue & Groove Bits are set with their ball bearings perfectly flush with the router fence.
	It is important to mark one side of the panels, so that all boards are routed same side up. This will ensure a perfect fit and a flat surface.
	Once the Tongue & Groove are routed, the Wainscot Bit is first used in the lower position to cut the 45˚ chamfer off the Groove part.
	Next, the bit is extended to make the bead cut above the Tongue. The vertical part of the bit should just touch but not take off any of the tongue’s thickness in order not to compromise its fit.
	This is the resulting panel once all routing has been done. The CMT router bit is unique in being able to do this.
	Here is another look of how this joint fits together.
	Here is a comparison between the panel made with the Wainscot Bit, and one where a straight beading bit was used.Which of the two looks better?
	This is CMT’s latest catalogue. This is the link to the Wainscot Router Bit.The Wainscot Router bit is currently out of stock. New inventory is on its way to our warehouse, we expect it to be available from Valfor Tools early July. Please email Valfor Tools on the contact page to pre-order or otherwise check this website in a few days from now.