It can take a lot of patience to build locking miter joints but their added strength and beauty make them ideal for drawers, legs, and other jointed woodworking projects. For many home craftsmen, though, the effort it takes to assemble these special joints can be a major deterrent. Luckily, using a locking miter joint router bit can save you a lot of time.
Not sure what to look for in a locking miter joint router bit? Not to worry. We’ve compiled a list of 5 router bits along with their best features, their pros, and their cons. We’ve even picked our favorite from the five.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best joint router bits on today’s market.
Best Locking Miter Joint Router Bit Comparison Table
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. ZokMok 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit |
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2. Flytuo 1/2“ Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit |
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3. HandsEase 45 Degree Joint Lock Miter Router Bit Set |
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4. NITOMAK 1/2” Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit |
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5. Whiteside Router Bit 3362 |
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Our Top 5 Locking Miter Joint Router Bits Reviews and Comparisons
1. ZokMok 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
Product Highlights
The ZokMok 45 Degree lock miter router bit is a sub-professional bit that is compatible with other major brands of universal shank benchtop router tables. Simply install the miter router bit into your benchtop router table and individually feed both sides of the joint through the router bit to create an instant locking miter joint.
The ZokMok 45 Degree lock miter router bit comes in four sizes:
- 1/2” shank with a 3/4” stock
- 1/4” shank with a 1/2” stock
- 1/4” shank with a 3/4” stock
- 1/4” shank with a 5/8” stock
ZokMok also provides video content to help you install and set up your router bit.
Features
- Sharpened 45 Degree routing bit
- C3-grade tungsten carbide blades
- Premium alloy steel bodies designed for anti-kickback
What We Like About The Zokmok 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
The ZokMok 45 Degree Router Bit is easy to install thanks to the supportive video content they make available to your consumers. After unpacking and installing the bit, you can almost instantly create perfect 90-degree locking joints from two pieces of wood.
Additionally, ZokMok offers this bit in a wide range of sizes so you should be able to find a size that fits.
We also like that ZokMok offers a 100% guarantee so that if your router bit breaks or you have any problems with it, they will compensate you.
What We Don’t Like About The Zokmok 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
As a semi-professional miter router bit, the ZokMok 45 Degree Router Bit is not suitable for use with plywood or MDF wood. If you try to use it with MDF or plywood, you will likely shred the material apart instead of producing a solid joint.
As well, the ZokMok 45 Degree Router Bit is only usable with a router table. If you do not already own a router table, you will not be able to use this bit.
PROS
- Durable tungsten carbide and alloy steel construction
- Easy installation
- Available in a wide range of stock and shank sizes
- Quality after-sales customer service plan
CONS
- Not suitable with MDF or plywood
- Can only be used with a router table
2. Flytuo 1/2“ Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
Product Highlights
The Flytuo 1/2” Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit is suitable for both professional and hobbyist level woodworking. It cuts a clean 45-degree angle without any cracks, leaving you enough room to add additional wood glue to help seal the joint.
This router bit is made using top-quality materials that will last through thousands of cuts before needing any repair. Its heat-resistant Teflon coating also helps prevent sawdust buildup.
Features
- 45-degree angle router
- 1/2” shank with a 1/2” stock
- Alloy steel body
- 1.375” C3 micro-grain tungsten carbide blades
What We Like About Flytuo 1/2“ Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
The Flytuo 1/2” Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit features higher-quality tungsten carbide tipped blades that stay sharp longer than other products currently on the market. Sharper blades mean you’ll get more precise cuts without burning or shredding the wood.
This router bit is also suitable with CNC routers and other types of portable routers, making it more versatile than options designed strictly for a tabletop router. Additionally, it can be used on MDF and plywood.
What We Don’t Like About Flytuo 1/2“ Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
Although the Flytuo router bit is made of high-quality materials, it only comes in a single size. If it doesn’t fit your router, you won’t be able to use it. This takes away from its versatility even though you can use it with CNC and portable routers.
Additionally, the Flytuo router bit is prone to overheating at high RPMs. To keep it from burning the wood, you have to constantly add water to cool it off.
PROS
- High-quality C3 micro-grain tungsten carbide blades
- Suitable with CNC and portable routers
- Suitable with MDF and plywood
- Professional grade locking miter joint router bit
CONS
- Only available in one size
- Prone to overheating
3. HandsEase 45 Degree Joint Lock Miter Router Bit Set
Product Highlights
Rather than offering just a single locking miter joint router bit, HandsEase offers buyers a complete set of three router bits with varying stock widths and cut sizes. This is an ideal set for any craftsman looking to add locking miter joints to large, medium, and small projects.
This set is an industrial grade, meaning it can be used for any home project or even at a professional level. They are sturdy and can stand up to prolonged use over multiple projects.
Features
- Hardened steel body
- Micro-grain carbide blades
- Three router bits in different sizes:
- 2.75″ shank with 1″ stock
- 2″ shank with 3/4″ stock
- 1.375″ shank with 1/2″ stock
What We Like About HandsEase 45 Degree Joint Lock Miter Router Bit Set
For three different sized locking miter joint router bits, this set is a bargain. It has everything you need to make large, small, or medium-sized locking miter joints and, best of all, the bits are reversible. You can cut both pieces of a joint without having to readjust your router.
What We Don’t Like About HandsEase 45 Degree Joint Lock Miter Router Bit Set
Installing the bits into your table can take a while, especially if you plan to change them out regularly. If you are not patient, you likely will not enjoy having to make frequent adjustments.
The medium-sized router bit is also a bit small, meaning that the cuts are not exactly perfect. This does, however, leave enough room to add wood glue to further lock the joint.
One final note, these router bits are not suitable for plywood.
PROS
- Good value for money
- Includes three different-sized router bits
- Bits are reversible
CONS
- Installation is not easy and requires frequent adjustments
- Medium-sized router bit makes imperfect cuts
- Not suitable for plywood
4. NITOMAK 1/2” Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
Product Highlights
The NITOMAK 1/2” shank 45-degree lock miter router bit is one of the all-around best router bits on the market. It is versatile and performs at a professional industrial-grade level thanks to its build and quality. It is easy to assemble, speeds up woodwork, and is backed by a quality insurance 1-year warranty.
Features
- Anti-kickback super-strength steel body
- C2 grade carbide blades
- 1/2” shank
- 2.75” stock
What We Like About NITOMAK 1/2” Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
NITOMAK has managed to combine the best aspects of all the other router bits on this list. The body of the bit has been completely coated to keep it safe from wood resin and sawdust and can be quickly assembled to any router table, CNC, or portable router.
Additionally, the NITOMAK router bit is suitable for all types of wood, so you won’t have to switch out router bits, even if you are working with MDF or plywood. This router bit can also cut both pieces of wood without having to be adjusted.
What We Don’t Like About NITOMAK 1/2” Shank 45 Degree Lock Miter Router Bit
Unlike the other entries on this list, the NITOMAK router bit is constructed using C2-grade carbide blades rather than C3-grade carbide blades. Although you won’t have to worry as much about the blades chipping, a lower grade carbide will cause the blades to dull sooner.
This is a pricier option than others on our list, which may be limiting for some buyers. Since it only comes in a single shank size, you may also have to buy additional router bits.
PROS
- Suitable for CNC and portable routers
- Suitable for all types of wood
- Coated to protect against resin and sawdust
- Does not need to be adjusted
- Easy installation
CONS
- Constructed using lower-grade carbide
- More expensive than other options
- Only available in a single shank size
5. Whiteside Router Bit 3362
Product Highlights
The Whiteside Router Bit 3362 is one of the most professionally ground router bits on this list. It has a 1/2” shank that packs a hefty overall weight and large diameter, allowing it to take on just about any type of wood. This makes it perfect for shaving down sizable pieces of wood if you are building larger-sized locking miter joints.
Overall, this is a highly rated product that will never come unbalanced and you can trust to perform well even after prolonged use.
Features
- Reinforced steel body with anti-kickback design
- Carbide blades
- 1/2” shank
- 2” overall diameter
What We Like About Whiteside Router Bit 3362
As locking miter joint router bits go, the Whiteside router bit 3362 is one of the finest router bits you can find. The craftsmanship that went into its construction makes it perfectly balanced and easy to install on a router table.
Its hefty weight and large overall diameter make it a beast on the router table that can withstand high RPMs and dense woods without knocking about or coming loose. It is reliable and will undoubtedly speed up your woodworking.
What We Don’t Like About Whiteside Router Bit 3362
Although we just praised it for its hefty weight, the Whiteside router bit 3362 is too hefty to be used on a CNC or portable router. Therefore, you will only be able to use it on a tabletop router, making it less versatile than some of the other options on this list.
Additionally, this router bit has been constructed using C2-grade carbide blades instead of C3-grade carbide blades. As we mentioned in the previous entry, this means it will dull sooner, despite having a lower risk of chipping.
One final complaint about this router bit is that it’s the most expensive on the list. Although it packs both high-quality and a literal punch, the price point could scare off potential buyers.
PROS
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Unparalleled balance
- Easy cuts through dense woods
- Can withstand high RPMs
CONS
- Only suitable with tabletop routers
- Lower-grade carbide
- Expensive
Final Verdict
After reviewing all five locking miter joint router bits, we have concluded that the NITOMAK 1/2” shank router bit is the best in class. It combines the best features of all other router bits on this list while still coming in at a reasonable price.
We love that it is versatile enough to be used on a tabletop or portable router without sacrificing power and precision. Its versatility also extends to the range of woods it can cut. Many other options fail to cut MDF and plywood without shredding but the NITOMAK can do both.
Finally, although its blades are built using a lower-grade carbide, we love that the full body has been coated to protect the router bit from wood resin and sawdust. This will help keep the router bit stay in top condition for much longer than other options made with a higher-grade carbide.
The NITOMAK manages to outperform its competition without breaking the bank and, for that, we award it our top rank!
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