If you want to add a classic decorative detail to your woodworking projects, the ogee is a great place to start. Ogee (pronounced "Oh-Jee") is a combination of a round and cove which produces an "S" shape. The ogee profile can be found on everything from table edges to crown moldings. Even the classic cabriole leg is an elongated ogee shape.
One of the best ways to create an ogee profile is with your router and an ogee router bit. There are several ogee router bits available in different sizes and configurations. Infinity Tools has put together the most popular ogee profiles into an 8-piece Master Ogee Router Bit Set (00-458). The set includes a beading conversion kit (more on this later) and a handy, protective wood storage box. This is one of the most extensive collections of ogee router bit profiles you'll find.
The 8-piece Master Ogee Router Bit Set includes two bit sizes in four different profiles:
- Roman ogee
- Double Roman ogee
- Classic ogee
- Double classic ogee bits
The Roman ogee is known for having the cove or concave portion of the profile above the round, or convex, portion of the profile. Infinity Roman ogee router bits have the round portion nearest the shank and the cove portion nearest the bearing on the router bit, as shown below.
The double Roman ogee, shown below, is the same as the Roman ogee but with the addition of a fillet, or step, between the cove and round. This little step adds some definition and complexity to the profile and is one of my personal favorites.
The Classic Ogee is the opposite of a Roman Ogee. You can see these in the photo below. The cove portion is nearest the shank and the round portion nearest the bearing. All of the Classic Ogee router bits work very well with the beading conversion kit.
Finally, The Double Classic Ogee router bits (below) are the mirror image of the Double Roman Ogee bits with a fillet dividing the cove and bead. These router bits allow you to produce the most complex profiles with a fillet in the middle. With the beading conversion kit, you can also create a fillet at the top and bottom of the profile.
The BCK-002 Beading Conversion Kit mentioned above includes a bearing that is slightly smaller in diameter than the stock bearing. The beading conversion kit (photo below) is a great addition to the Classic Ogee and Double Classic Roman Ogee router bits and adds a fillet or step next to the round portion of the profile. While the beading conversion kit can be added to the Roman Ogee and Double Roman Ogee router bits, it doesn't add any additional detail but simply elongates the cove portion of the profile.
The 8-piece Master Ogee Router Bit Set is a great value and opens up a lot of options for creating decorative moldings for your next woodworking project.
