MDF Door Bit Profiles: Straight vs Bead vs Cove
By Premium CNC & Router Bits for Precision Cutting | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: Buying Guides
Compare straight stile, bead stile, cove panel, and straight panel MDF door bits from Whiteside. Learn which profile suits your door design and CNC or router setup.
Quick answer
For a classic raised-panel look in MDF, pair a straight stile bit with a straight panel bit. If you want a decorative bead detail on the stile, choose a bead stile bit instead. For a softer, concave panel profile, go with a cove panel bit.
Profile differences and design impact
The stile bit creates the vertical frame profile. A straight stile bit produces a clean, flat reveal, while a bead stile bit adds a rounded bead along the edge for a more traditional or decorative look.
The panel bit shapes the raised center. A straight panel bit gives a crisp, square-edged raised panel. A cove panel bit creates a concave sweep, offering a softer, more elegant transition.
Both stile and panel bits can be mixed and matched—Whiteside designs them to work together. For example, a bead stile bit paired with a cove panel bit yields a distinctly different look than a straight stile with a straight panel.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Straight stile vs bead stile: Straight stile (Whiteside 5645) gives a clean, flat frame ideal for modern or minimalist doors. Bead stile (Whiteside 5610) adds a decorative rounded bead but reduces the flat gluing surface slightly. Choose bead stile only if the decorative bead is essential to your design.
- Straight panel vs cove panel: Straight panel (Whiteside 5720) creates a sharp, square raised panel—best for shaker or contemporary styles. Cove panel (Whiteside 5710) produces a concave curve, offering a softer, more traditional look. Match the panel profile to the overall door style, not just personal preference.
- Single-pass vs multi-pass routing: All four bits are designed for single-pass profiling on a CNC or router table, saving time. However, the larger diameter cove and straight panel bits (1-1/2") require a more powerful router to avoid bogging down. Check your router’s horsepower before choosing a large-diameter panel bit.
Product facts
- Straight Stile Profile MDF Door Bit – Whiteside (5645): 1/2" shank, 1-1/4" large diameter, 2-1/2" overall length. Designed for CNC or router use. Its larger diameter cuts a wide, flat profile in one pass, making it ideal for clean, modern stile designs.
Straight Stile Profile MDF Door Bit – Whiteside (5645) - Bead Stile Profile MDF Door Bit – AstraHP Coated – Whiteside (5610): AstraHP coated, 1/2" shank, 7/8" large diameter, 2-1/2" overall length. Designed for CNC or router use. The coating reduces heat and friction when cutting MDF, and the bead profile adds a decorative edge without a separate routing step.
Bead Stile Profile MDF Door Bit – AstraHP Coated – Whiteside (5610) - Cove Panel Profile MDF Door Bit – Whiteside (5710): 1/2" shank, 1-1/2" large diameter, 2-1/2" overall length. Designed for CNC or router use. The larger diameter creates a deep, concave panel profile in one pass, giving doors a softer, more traditional appearance.
- Straight Panel Profile MDF Door Bit – Whiteside (5720): 1/2" shank, 1-1/2" large diameter, 2-1/2" overall length. Designed for CNC or router use. Its flat, wide profile produces a crisp raised panel that pairs naturally with a straight stile bit for a classic shaker-style door.
Which bit profile is right for you?
Best for
- Straight stile + straight panel: Shaker, modern, or minimalist cabinet doors where clean lines matter.
- Bead stile + cove panel: Traditional or farmhouse-style doors that benefit from decorative detail and soft curves.
Not ideal for
- Ultra-detailed multi-step profiles that require more than one router bit per edge (these bits cut in one pass).
- Solid wood doors where wood movement may cause issues with wide panel profiles (MDF is dimensionally stable).
