Why does nobody talk about the switch from a 1/2 inch shank to a 1/4 inch for drawer slides?

For years I used a 1/2 inch shank router bit for all my slide mortises, but after a job in Austin last fall I switched to a 1/4 inch shank Freud bit. The smaller bit gives me way more control and less chatter on the final pass. Has anyone else made this switch and found it better for fine work?

4 comments

4 Comments

garcia.laura1mo ago

Switched last year, total game changer for control.

jade_singh1mo ago

The smaller shank just gives you way more feel for what the tool is doing. Lets you catch problems before they happen.

paigep201mo ago

@garcia.laura is right, it's a total game changer. The smaller bit just feels more precise in your hand.

xena_fox391mo ago

Switched to a 1/4 inch shank a while back for the same reason. The lighter bit just handles better on that last clean-up pass, way less grabby.