- Item No: FES491085
- Weight: 0.13kg
- Dimensions: 102.00mm x 53.00mm x 53.00mm
- SKU: FES491085
- UPC: 4014549075692
Available Options
Festool HW S8 D38/12 Rebating Cutter with Reversible Blades
At a Glance: 38mm diameter rebating cutter with a 12mm cutting length, 8mm shank and replaceable reversible blades for producing precise rebate depths.
The Festool HW S8 D38/12 Rebating Cutter is a highly versatile professional router bit designed for accurately cutting rebates along the edges of timber and wood-based materials. Its 38mm cutter diameter and 12mm cutting length make it ideal for joinery, cabinetmaking, furniture production and general woodworking applications where clean, consistent rebate dimensions are essential.
Unlike a conventional brazed router bit, this cutter uses reversible carbide blades that can be turned when one cutting edge becomes worn. This restores a sharp cutting edge without changing the cutter diameter, helping maintain dependable dimensional accuracy and extending the practical service life of the tool.
The fitted guide bearing follows the edge of the workpiece, allowing the cutter to produce a controlled rebate without requiring a separate parallel fence. By changing the ball bearing, the same cutter can produce rebate depths of 8mm, 9.5mm, 11mm, 12.6mm or 14.6mm, making it an exceptionally flexible addition to a professional routing setup.
The Festool HW S8 D38/12 combines a robust cutter body, reversible carbide blades and interchangeable guide bearings to provide consistent, repeatable routing results. The replaceable cutting edges remain dimensionally uniform, while the bearing-guided design makes accurate rebate routing straightforward across a wide variety of woodworking projects.
Product Highlights
- Multiple rebate depths: Different guide bearings allow rebate depths of 8mm, 9.5mm, 11mm, 12.6mm and 14.6mm to be produced with one cutter.
- Reversible carbide blades: Turn the blades to expose a fresh cutting edge when the first edge becomes worn.
- Uniform cutter diameter: Replacement blades preserve the original cutting diameter for reliable dimensional accuracy.
- Bearing-guided routing: The guide bearing follows the workpiece edge for controlled and consistent rebate cutting.
- Easy blade replacement: Reversible blades can be changed without replacing the complete cutter.
- Broad router compatibility: Suitable for a wide selection of Festool routers fitted with an 8mm collet.
Extra Information
- The cutter is compatible with Festool OF 900, OF 1000, OF 1010, OF 1010 R, OF 1400, OF 2000 and OF 2200 routers.
- A suitable 8mm collet is required to securely hold the router bit.
- The rebate depth is determined by the difference between the cutter radius and the outside radius of the fitted guide bearing.
- Optional guide bearings are required to produce the different available rebate depths.
- Both reversible blades must be correctly seated and securely fastened before the cutter is used.
- The guide bearing must rotate freely and should be inspected for damage or contamination before every routing operation.
- The maximum usable rebate height is determined by the cutter&s 12mm cutting length.
Pro Tips
- Make a test cut in an offcut of the same material before routing the finished workpiece.
- Use several shallow passes when removing a large amount of material to improve control and reduce strain on the router.
- Keep the guide bearing firmly against the workpiece edge throughout the cut to maintain a consistent rebate depth.
- Rotate both reversible blades at the same time so that the cutter remains balanced and both cutting edges wear evenly.
- Clean resin and dust from the blade seats before fitting or rotating the reversible blades.
- Inspect the guide bearing regularly and replace it if it feels rough, loose or does not rotate freely.
- When routing across the grain, make a light scoring pass first to help minimise breakout at the exit edge.
- Connect a suitable dust extractor to the router to improve visibility and reduce airborne dust.
How to Use
- Disconnect the router from its electrical supply or remove the battery before installing or adjusting the router bit.
- Confirm that the router is fitted with a clean, undamaged 8mm collet.
- Inspect the cutter, reversible blades and guide bearing for wear, damage or loose components.
- Insert the shank sufficiently into the collet while avoiding contact between the collet and the cutter body.
- Tighten the collet securely using the router manufacturer&s recommended procedure.
- Select and fit the appropriate guide bearing for the required rebate depth where necessary.
- Set the plunge depth according to the required rebate height, remaining within the 12mm cutting length.
- Secure the workpiece and ensure that the edge followed by the bearing is smooth and free from obstructions.
- Start the router and allow the cutter to reach full operating speed before contacting the material.
- Guide the router steadily in the correct feed direction while keeping the bearing in continuous contact with the edge.
- Use multiple passes when cutting a deep or wide rebate rather than removing all the material in one pass.
- After completing the cut, move the cutter clear of the workpiece and allow it to stop completely before setting the router down.
Features
- 38mm cutter diameter: Provides an effective cutting profile for edge rebates and stepped joints.
- 12mm cutting length: Suitable for routing rebate heights up to the cutter&s usable cutting length.
- 8mm shank: Compatible with suitable Festool routers fitted with an 8mm collet.
- Reversible blade system: Uses replaceable carbide cutting blades with two usable cutting edges.
- Interchangeable guide bearing: Allows the rebate depth to be altered without changing the complete cutter.
- Bearing-guided operation: Uses the edge of the workpiece as a guide for smooth, accurate routing.
- Dimensionally stable design: Maintains a consistent cutter diameter when the reversible blades are rotated or replaced.
Benefits
- Greater versatility: Produce five different rebate depths using one basic cutter and the appropriate guide bearings.
- Longer working life: Each reversible blade provides a second sharp cutting edge before replacement is required.
- Consistent results: The fixed cutter diameter helps maintain accurate rebate dimensions over repeated applications.
- Reduced replacement costs: Only the worn blades need to be replaced instead of purchasing a complete new router bit.
- Simple edge guidance: The bearing follows straight or shaped workpiece edges without a separate guide fence.
- Clean professional finish: Sharp carbide blades provide controlled cutting and well-defined rebate shoulders.
- Efficient setup changes: Changing the guide bearing quickly adapts the cutter to a different rebate depth.
Application
- Routing rebates along straight workpiece edges.
- Producing rebate depths of 8mm, 9.5mm, 11mm, 12.6mm and 14.6mm.
- Creating recessed edges for cabinet backs and panels.
- Routing steps for glazing, frames and inset components.
- Preparing timber for overlapping and rebated joints.
- Furniture and cabinet construction.
- Door, window and frame manufacturing.
- Routing timber and suitable wood-based sheet materials.
Safety
- Wear suitable eye, ear and dust protection whenever operating the router.
- Disconnect the router from the electrical supply or remove the battery before fitting, adjusting or inspecting the cutter.
- Only use the cutter in a router fitted with the correct 8mm collet.
- Inspect the cutter, reversible blades, screws and guide bearing before every use.
- Do not use the cutter if the body, shank, blades, screws or bearing are damaged or excessively worn.
- Ensure both reversible blades are correctly positioned and securely tightened before starting the router.
- Do not exceed the maximum rotational speed marked on the cutter or specified by the manufacturer.
- Secure the workpiece firmly and keep hands away from the cutter and routing path.
- Always feed the router in the correct direction to reduce the risk of uncontrolled movement or kickback.
- Do not remove excessive material in a single pass or force the cutter through the workpiece.
- Allow the cutter to stop completely before setting the router down or making any adjustments.
- Use effective dust extraction and suitable respiratory protection when routing materials that produce harmful dust.
Specifications
| Description | Spec |
|---|---|
| Brand | Festool |
| Cat No. | FES491085 |
| Manufacturer Item No. | 491085 |
| Product Type | Rebating Cutter with Reversible Blades |
| Model | HW S8 D38/12 |
| Cutter Material | Carbide-Tipped Reversible Blades |
| Cutter Diameter (D) | 38mm |
| Cutting Length (NL) | 12mm |
| Overall Length (GL) | 53.7mm |
| Shank Diameter (S) | 8mm |
| Blade Type | Replaceable Reversible Blades |
| Guidance Type | Ball Bearing Guided |
| Available Rebate Depths | 8mm, 9.5mm, 11mm, 12.6mm and 14.6mm |
| Compatible Routers | OF 900, OF 1000, OF 1010, OF 1010 R, OF 1400, OF 2000 and OF 2200 |
| Primary Application | Routing Rebates Along Workpiece Edges |
Scope of Delivery:
- 1 x Festool HW S8 D38/12 Rebating Cutter
- Reversible carbide cutting blades
- Guide ball bearing