The Freud 28-104 1/2-Inch Panel Pilot Router Bit is built for fast, controlled cutouts in siding, sheathing, paneling, plywood, and similar sheet goods. This is a panel pilot router bit designed for cutting openings in installed panel materials and for template-guided router work. Model Number 28-104. If you need to cut window, outlet, vent, or access openings without switching to a separate layout tool and saw, this bit is made for that job.

What matters most here is the combination of the drill-through point and the pilot-guided design. The point lets the bit self-start, so you can plunge into the panel and get moving without wasting time. Once you are through the material, the pilot helps track the edge or template so the cut stays controlled instead of wandering. That is the whole reason this style of router bit exists: fast cut-in work with less fuss.

Freud uses a carbide-tipped cutting design with a 1-1/4 inch carbide height and two cutters. In practical terms, that means better edge life than a comparable high-speed steel bit, especially if you are regularly cutting abrasive sheet goods or doing repeated openings on a job. The 1/2 inch diameter keeps it maneuverable in tight cutout work, while the 1/2 inch shank gives the bit a more stable base in the router collet.

This bit is intended for use in hand-held or portable routers, which makes it a good fit for field work instead of just shop work. If you are trimming openings in installed siding or paneling, portability matters more than fancy setup. The 24,000 RPM maximum rating gives you a clear upper limit for matching the bit to your router speed settings, and that helps you avoid overheating the bit or beating up the cut edge.

Freud also calls out its non-stick coating on this bit. That matters more than it sounds on resin-heavy materials and jobsite sheet goods, because pitch buildup increases drag and heat. Less drag means smoother feeding, easier control, and less cleanup on the bit after the work is done. It also helps protect the bit body from corrosion when it lives in a trailer, van, or job box.

On material range, this panel pilot router bit covers a lot of common work: composition materials, plywood, hardwoods, softwoods, composites, and OSB. That makes it useful for remodelers, siding crews, carpenters, and general contractors who do not want a single-purpose accessory that only works in one type of panel. One bit that can move from plywood cutouts to sheathing work is just easier to justify in the kit.

If you already run a router with a 1/2 inch collet, this is a straightforward fit. The 1/2 inch shank is the important compatibility point, and it is the right choice for stability on a bit with a 3-3/4 inch overall length. It is not a bearing-guided trim bit, and no bearing is included, because the bit relies on its pilot geometry for the intended style of cutting.

Who should buy it? Anyone doing repetitive opening cuts in sheet materials with a portable router. If your work includes paneling installation, siding cut-ins, sheathing openings, or template-based routing, this bit saves time and keeps the process simple. If you mainly do decorative edge profiles or fine finish routing, this is not your bit. But for cutout work, it is the right tool for the job.

Freud 28-104 1/2-Inch Panel Pilot Router Bit for Fast, No-Nonsense Cutout Work

This is the kind of router bit that earns its spot by saving time every time you need to open up sheet material cleanly with a hand-held router.

• Who it's for: Contractors, remodelers, siding crews, and carpenters cutting openings in installed panel goods or doing template-guided cutout work.
• Why it stands out: The self-starting point, pilot-guided design, 1/2 inch shank, and carbide-tipped cutters make it a practical jobsite bit instead of a disposable accessory.
• Worth knowing: This is a purpose-built cutout bit, not a general profiling bit. If your router only takes 1/4 inch shanks, this one is not the fit.

• What is this bit mainly used for? It is designed for cutting openings in siding, sheathing, paneling, and similar sheet materials, and it can also be used for template work.
• What type of router does it fit? It uses a 1/2 inch shank, so it fits routers with a 1/2 inch collet.
• What materials can it cut? Source data lists composition materials, plywood, hardwoods, softwoods, composites, and OSB.
• Does it include a bearing? No. This bit does not include a bearing.
• What is the maximum speed rating? The maximum rated speed is 24,000 RPM.