Studio shot of the Freud 38-304 Cove and Bead router bit featuring a red Perma-SHIELD body, two carbide cutters, 1/4 inch silver shank, and top ball bearing guide.
Retail packaging for the Freud 38-304 Industrial Router Bit, displaying the bit inside a plastic case with text indicating a Cove & Bead profile, 1/4 inch radius, and 1/4 inch shank.
Technical profile diagram illustrating the Cove and Bead shape cut into a wood edge by the Freud 38-304 bit, specifying a 1/4 inch radius.
Studio shot of the Freud 38-304 Cove and Bead router bit featuring a red Perma-SHIELD body, two carbide cutters, 1/4 inch silver shank, and top ball bearing guide.
Studio shot of the Freud 38-304 Cove and Bead router bit featuring a red Perma-SHIELD body, two carbide cutters, 1/4 inch silver shank, and top ball bearing guide.
Retail packaging for the Freud 38-304 Industrial Router Bit, displaying the bit inside a plastic case with text indicating a Cove & Bead profile, 1/4 inch radius, and 1/4 inch shank.
Technical profile diagram illustrating the Cove and Bead shape cut into a wood edge by the Freud 38-304 bit, specifying a 1/4 inch radius.
Studio shot of the Freud 38-304 Cove and Bead router bit featuring a red Perma-SHIELD body, two carbide cutters, 1/4 inch silver shank, and top ball bearing guide.
Freud

Freud Router Bit 38-304 1-9/16 Inch Dia 1/4 Inch Shank Cove Bead (16000 RPM TiCo Carbide Perma-SHIELD Ball Bearing Pilot Cabinet Trim Tool)

Only 2 left
SKU: 38-304
$39.29 USD

Description

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Precision Freud 1-9/16 Inch Cove and Bead Router Bit 38-304 with 1/4 Inch Shank

The Freud 38-304 1-9/16-Inch Diameter Cove and Bead Router Bit functions as an industrial-grade edge-profiling tool engineered to execute a classical 1/4-inch radius concave cove paired with a convex bead profile on solid hardwoods, softwoods, cabinet plywood, and wood composites. Manufactured with micrograin TiCo High-Density Carbide cutters coated in friction-reducing Red Perma-SHIELD non-stick finish, this 1/4-inch shank bit features a 3/8-inch ball bearing pilot, a 23/32-inch carbide height, and a 16,000 RPM maximum speed rating. Compatible with handheld portable routers and router table setups, this dual-flute shear-angle bit slices wood fibers cleanly to eliminate surface tear-out across cabinet door frames, display plaques, and architectural millwork.

Best Used For:

  • Architectural Cabinet Door & Frame Detailing: Milling traditional cove and bead decorative borders along solid wood cabinet stiles and door frame faces.
  • Tabletop & Furniture Edge Profiling: Shaping classical cove and bead border profiles on dining tables, desk perimeters, and custom display plaques.
  • Guided Substrate Edge Duplication: Tracing straight or curved workpiece edges using the integrated 3/8-inch ball bearing pilot to maintain uniform profile depth.

Key Performance & Safety Features

  • Precision Shear-Angle Flute Geometry: Cutters are positioned at an angle to slice wood fibers smoothly, eliminating end-grain tear-out and surface fuzzing.
  • TiCo High-Density Micrograin Carbide: Proprietary titanium-cobalt carbide formulation maintains razor-sharp edges up to four times longer than standard carbide.
  • Red Perma-SHIELD Thermal Barrier Coating: Non-stick fluoropolymer coating insulates the bit body against heat buildup, pitch accumulation, and rust corrosion.
  • Integrated 3/8-Inch Ball Bearing Pilot: Smooth-rolling guide bearing tracks substrate faces accurately to prevent workpiece scoring or friction burning.
  • Computer-Balanced Dynamically Balanced Body: Precision-balanced tool body eliminates vibration and chatter marks for an extra-fine surface finish at speeds up to 16,000 RPM.
  • Universal 1/4-Inch Shank Profile: Fits standard 1/4-inch router collets across compact palm trimmers, handheld routers, and table setups.

What's Included

  • (1) Freud 38-304 1-9/16" Cove and Bead Router Bit (1/4" Shank)
  • (1) Pre-Installed 3/8" Pilot Ball Bearing Assembly

Technical Specifications

Brand Name Freud
Model Number SKU 38-304
Product Tool Classification Cove and Bead Decorative Edging Router Bit
Overall Cut Diameter (D) 1.5625 in. (1-9/16 in.)
Shank Diameter (A) 0.250 in. (1/4 in.)
Carbide Cutting Height (h) 0.71875 in. (23/32 in.)
Overall Bit Length (H) 2.3125 in. (2-5/16 in.)
Pilot Ball Bearing Diameter (B) 0.375 in. (3/8 in.)
Large Radiused Curve (R1) 0.250 in. (1/4 in.)
Minor Height Measurement (m) 0.21875 in. (7/32 in.)
Number of Cutting Flutes 2 Precision Carbide Wings
Maximum Rotational Speed 16,000 RPM (Speed Adjustment Required)
Protective Body Finish Red Perma-SHIELD Non-Stick Coating
Carbide Grade Composition TiCo High-Density Micrograin Carbide
Machine Equipment Compatibility Handheld Routers and Router Tables with 1/4" Collet
Country of Origin Italy

Pro-Tip: When routing 1-9/16 inch wide cove and bead profiles into dense hardwoods, reduce your variable-speed router setting to a maximum of 16,000 RPM to prevent friction burning. Make two progressive depth passes rather than a single heavy cut, allowing the final pass to remove only 1/32 inch of stock for a crisp bead profile and smooth cove center.