Back in the loop

I like to think I’m up to date on woodworking stuff. I mean, I’m former editor of two woodworking publications, have written hundreds of articles and edited two-dozen books on the subject. Add to that the 1,147 blogs I’ve written for this site.

So, yeah, you’d think I’d have a decent grasp of woodworking stuff, but no. Occasionally, I am gobsmacked by something new and exciting that turns out to be not new at all. Still exciting, but something that I’ve somehow managed to miss. In this case, for years.

I regularly check the Newsdesk section of the Woodshop News website, and the other day saw an article on new compression router bits from Whiteside. While the bits are indeed a new offering from the company, I was confused. What the heck are compression bits?

I checked out the Whiteside website, and then did a Google search, and the idea of compression bits astounded me. I’d never heard of the concept and was thrilled to learn something new. The thing about it is, is that they’re not a new thing at all.

Compression bits are a variety of spiral bits, which commonly come in either an up-cut or down-cut spiral configuration. They give wonderfully clean cuts and have been a favorite of mine for ages. But compression bits have both — up-cut flutes at one end, down-cut at the other. When cutting, they shear the wood to the center of the workpiece – hence the compression moniker — and give clean cuts both top and bottom.

As part of my search, I found articles and references about compression router bits going back more than a decade. Numerous manufacturers make them, and have for some time, and they’re highly praised by those who use them. It seems that I’m the only one who’s been out of the loop.

I have no idea how these have eluded me for so long, and wish I’d known about them sooner. But I’ve found them now and, not surprisingly, quickly ordered me a couple. I can’t wait for them to arrive and put them to work.