Can anyone identify this item from my multi-tool kit?

November 22, 2020 11:25 PM

I was pulling out my old Black and Decker MT1405 multi-tool to drill something, and came across this item again, and if I ever knew what it was for I forgot it years ago. Can anyone identify it? Google photo album here.

The yellowish stuff is a rubbery coating that I think is probably supposed to be peeled off rather than a permanent glaze, though I'm not completely certain. I don't think it would fit directly in the drill chuck, as it is round rather than faceted, so I really have no clue!

posted by tavella to Technology (6 answers total)

It looks like a router bit. It has never been used, that rubber stuff protects the ball bearing, you peel it off before using it. The multi-tool has a router base, yes?
posted by Marky at 11:35 PM on November 22, 2020 [3 favorites]

It's a timber router bit, only work at 1000s of rpm. The collet in the router is tightened around it.Yeah, mid-cost ones, in my experience, ship with that rubber coating.
posted by unearthed at 11:37 PM on November 22, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Can I add to what Unearthed said? I looked up your multi-tool and it appears to include a router. A bit like this has to be used in one, because a drill doesn't go remotely fast enough. Unearthed said thousands of rpm, and he means maybe 20,000 to 25,000. The bearing rides along the edge of a piece of wood and the curved edge of the bit rounds it over, removing a square or uneven edge. The bit you have is steel with carbide edges, so it will last a long time between sharpenings. If you're going to use it - which sounds unlikely but one is sometimes inspired - wear goggles, hearing protection and a dust mask, and be prepared to clean up a lot of dust and shavings.
posted by AugustusCrunch at 2:25 AM on November 23, 2020 [6 favorites]

Best answer: It's called a roundover bit. It puts a rounded edge along a piece of wood, as you might see on a table top. It goes in a router, which spins much, much faster than a drill. Here's one of many videos showing the bit in use.
posted by pipeski at 4:06 AM on November 23, 2020 [5 favorites]

The MT1405 has a router attachment that spins it up to 8000 rpm. That's hardly real router territory, but will put a decorative edge on wood that looks (a bit) better than nothing.

The coating looks like Cosmoline. There are various ways to remove it, all of which involve swearing.
posted by scruss at 9:57 AM on November 23, 2020 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: The kit does indeed have a router, but I have never used it, it's mostly used for drilling and screwdriver and very occasionally saw and sander. But now I know that if I have the urge to put an edge on something I have the tool!

Thanks everyone.
posted by tavella at 10:02 AM on November 23, 2020 [1 favorite]