What are the different types

of raised panel router cutter?

There are two main types of raised panel router cutter:

Horizontal raised panel cutters

Horizontal raised panel cutters are the most common type. All but one of the CraftPro panel raisers is a horizontal cutter.

To use them, you position the panel face down on the router table and use either the cutter's bearing guide or the table fence to control the width of the cut.

These cutters are available with or without bearing guides, and in a number of different profiles including bevel, ogee, radius, and classic.

Professional TCT horizontal raised panel cutters are split across three categories - Flat Roman ogee cutters, raised panel cutters, and raised bearing guided cutters.

Horizontal raised panel cutters with back cut

These are horizontal raised panel cutters with an additional set of cutters located beneath the first. While the first set of cutters rout the face of the panel, this second set routs a rebate on the back. 

This ensures that the finished edge of the panel (also known as the tongue) will be of a specified thickness, and so provided your rail and stile grooves have been cut to accept this, your panel will fit perfectly into them. 

Without the back cut feature, you would have to adjust the router cutter's height in the table so that the finished edge matches the rail and stile grooves. 

Bevel panel raisers and bevel raise panel cutters

Modern panel raiser

Ogee panel raisers and ogee raised panel cutters

Radius panel raisers and  radius raised panel cutters

Vertical raised panel cutters

Like horizontal ones, vertical raised panel cutters are also used to cut away and mould the panel edge. The  CraftPro range includes one vertical panel raiser and the Professional TCT range includes four vertical raised panel cutters.

However, to use them, you are required to stand the panel up on its edge and pass it against the cutter, this can make them more difficult to use than horizontal panel cutters. 

It may also be necessary to fit an extended height false face to the back fence of the router table, to support the workpiece more securely vertically. 

A deep horizontal front pressure guard or vertical support will help ensure safety and accuracy by keeping the bottom edge of the workpiece flat against the fence face

Bevel vertical panel raiser

Classic vertical panel raiser

Ogee vertical panel raiser

CraftPro radius vertical panel raiser  and  Professional TCT vertical panel radius cutter

Which type of raised panel cutter should you choose?

Vertical raised panel cutters

As explained above, when using vertical cutters, you are likely to need a taller fence and additional support for the workpiece on the table. These accessories can be an inconvenience to purchase and set up if you don't already have them to hand.

Horizontal raised panel cutters

Horizontal raised panel router cutters are much wider than vertical ones, and so less experienced router users may be less inclined to use them. However, with horizontal cutters it's easier to get a smoother finish due to their shearing action, in comparison to the chipping action of a vertical cutter.

What raised panel router cutter sizes are available?

Raised panel router cutters are most often sized according to the following dimensions:

Shank diameter of raised panel router cutters

The shank diameter is measured across the centre of the shank from any point on its circumference.

Raised panel cutters are available with ¼" (6.35mm), 8mm (5/16"), 12mm (½" approx.) and ½" (12.7mm) shank diameters.

Diameter of raised panel router cutters

The diameter is the maximum width of the router cutter, and is measured from the outermost point of the cutting edges through the centre of the bit. 

Raised panel router cutters have diameters ranging from 28mm (1⅛") to 88.9mm (3½"). 

Cutting edges of raised panel router cutters

Length

This is the maximum length of the full cutting edge of the router cutter. It is measured from the top of the cutting edge to the bottom.

Raised panel router cutting edge lengths range from 6.5mm (¼") to 38mm (1½")

Angle

Some raised panel cutters have angled edges. 

The angle given is in relation to the horizontal plane and ranges from 3 to 85 degrees. Horizontal cutters have angles between 3 and 45 degress. Vertical cutters have angles from 45 to 85 degrees.

Radius

Many raised panel router cutters have concave or convex cutting edges designed to rout curves in the face of the panel. 

Some cutters have two or more different radii ground into their cutting edges, in order to produce convex and concave curves, often of different sizes.

Raised panel cutter radii range from 3mm (⅛) to 40mm (1 9/16")

Back cutters of raised panel router cutters

Some horizontal raised panel cutters come with a set of back cutters located beneath the first. The back cutter length and diameter, and the tongue they produce, will usually be listed.  

Back cutter length

The back cutter length is measured from the top of the cutting edge to the bottom and is typically 7.9mm (5/16"). 

Back cutter diameter

The back cutter diameter is measured from the outermost point of the cutting edges through the centre of the bit, and is typically 54mm (2⅛"). 

Tongue thickness

Trend raised panel cutters with back cut produce a tongue that is 6.3mm (¼") thick.

For raised panel cutters without back cutters, the tongue thickness is determined by adjusting the cutter's height in relation to the panel. 

Guide diameter of raised panel router cutters

Some router cutters are supplied with a ball bearing guide located beneath their cutting edges.

Horizontal raised panel router cutters with back cut have a bearing guide between the top and bottom set of cutters. 

Bearings on raised panel cutters range from 12.7mm (½") to 21.8mm (⅞") in diameter. 

The distance between the outside edge of the guide and tip of the cutting edge will determine the maximum cutting depth/width of that particular cutter.

On some models, the bearing can be removed and replaced with a larger or smaller one in order to alter the cutting depth. 

Alternatively, as with non-guided cutters, you can alter the position of the router table fence in relation to the cutter in order to adjust the cutting depth.