1/2" vs 1" Straight Router Bits: Choosing Cut Width
By Premium CNC & Router Bits for Precision Cutting | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Buying Guides
Compare the Whiteside 1026 and 1093 straight bits by cut width, shank size, and RPM to match the right bit to your groove, dado, or mortise.
Quick answer
Choose the 1/2-inch cut diameter for general grooves, dados, and mortises where a narrower kerf and higher RPM suit your router and material. Choose the 1-inch cut diameter when you need a wider channel in fewer passes and can run a 1/2-inch shank at lower RPM.
Cut width changes the pass count, not just the look
A straight bit removes a channel equal to its cut diameter. The 1/2-inch bit leaves a narrower groove, so you make more overlapping passes to clear a wide dado. The 1-inch bit clears the same width in fewer passes, but each pass loads the router more and demands a stable setup.
Match the bit to the finished channel width first. If your project calls for a 1/2-inch groove, the narrower bit gets there in one clean pass; if you need a 1-inch channel, the wider bit saves time but asks more of the machine.
Shank size and RPM set the practical limit
Both bits here use a 1/2-inch shank, which is the stiffer option for wider cutters. The 1/2-inch bit is rated for 16,000 RPM, while the 1-inch bit is rated for 12,000 RPM. Run each at or below its recommended speed and check your router's speed range before buying.
A 1/2-inch shank also limits you to routers with a 1/2-inch collet. If your router only accepts 1/4-inch shanks, neither of these bits fits without an adapter, and you should look at 1/4-inch shank options instead.
Coating and cut length affect heat and depth
The 1-inch bit carries an AstraHP coating and a 1-1/4-inch cut length, while the 1/2-inch bit has a 1-inch cut length. A longer cut length lets you mortise deeper in one setup, but it also means more cutter in the wood and more heat if you push the feed rate.
The coating on the wider bit is a wear-surface difference, not a substitute for correct RPM and feed. If you cut abrasive material or run long production sessions, that coating is the reason to pick the 1093 over an uncoated wide bit.
Trade-offs to weigh
- Narrow kerf vs pass count: The 1/2-inch bit cuts a narrow channel in one pass but needs multiple passes for a 1-inch groove. The 1-inch bit clears the wide channel faster but removes more material per pass. Count your passes before you buy: a wide channel with the narrow bit means more setup time.
- Speed and collet fit: The 1/2-inch bit runs at 16,000 RPM and uses a 1/4-inch shank. The 1-inch bit runs at 12,000 RPM and uses a 1/2-inch shank. Confirm your router's collet and speed range before ordering. A router that cannot slow to 12,000 RPM is a poor match for the 1-inch bit.
- Depth per setup: The 1-inch bit offers a 1-1/4-inch cut length against 1 inch on the 1/2-inch bit, so it mortises deeper before you reset. The extra depth also means more cutter engagement and heat. Deep mortises favor the longer cut length; shallow grooves do not need it.
Product facts
- 1/2″ Straight Router Bit x 1″ LOC – Whiteside 1026: 1/2-inch cut diameter with 1-inch cut length and 1/4-inch shank, recommended 16,000 RPM. Fits routers with a 1/4-inch collet and handles narrow grooves and shallow mortises at a higher speed.
1/2″ Straight Router Bit x 1″ LOC – Whiteside 1026 - 1″ Straight Router Bit x 1-1/4″ LOC x 1/2″ Shank – Whiteside 1093 (AstraHP Coated): 1-inch cut diameter with 1-1/4-inch cut length, AstraHP coating, 1/2-inch shank, recommended 12,000 RPM. Clears wider channels in fewer passes and cuts deeper per setup, but needs a 1/2-inch collet and a slower speed.
1″ Straight Router Bit x 1-1/4″ LOC x 1/2″ Shank – Whiteside 1093 (AstraHP Coated)
Which bit fits your work
Best for
- Routers with a 1/4-inch collet cutting narrow grooves, dados, and shallow mortises
- Woodworkers who want a higher 16,000 RPM speed for smaller-diameter cuts
Not for
- Cutting a 1-inch-wide channel in a single pass
- Routers that only accept 1/2-inch shanks without an adapter
