What are reed and bead

router cutters?

Bead and reed router cutters or bead and corner mould cutters are used to create bead and reed profiles on the edges of materials.

They can be used alone or combined to produce a number of different profiles. 

Design

Flutes

Most bead and reed router cutters have two flutes and so should produce a reasonably clean finish in materials.

Bottom cut

Most bead and reed cutters do not have the bottom cut facility, as they are designed for shaping the edge of materials. However, there are some exceptions (see next page for details).

Guides

Some bead and reed router cutters have a guide pin or bearing located beneath their cutting edges; others do not have a guide at all. 

Applications

Below are some of the most common applications in which bead and reed profiles are used.

Antiques reproductions/restorations

Bead and reed cutters are often used when restoring an antique item, or decorating a new one in the style of an earlier period. 

Rounding over

Bead cutters are often used to completely round the sharp edge of table tops or the treads of stairs. 

Framing

Like edge moulding cutters, bead cutters are often used to rout decorative frames for pictures, clocks, mirrors and plaques.

Ranges 

Bead and reed router cutters are available in the following Trend ranges:

• Professional TCT and STC router cutters

• CraftPro router cutters