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Does anyone know wher I can find a spiral down-cut template bit with a top bearing? I've found them for flush trim applications but nothing for template applications.

thanks.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Please explain? Wouldn't you want a flush-trim bit for this?

Whiteside makes a great top-double-bearing spiral bit for this. Woodcraft sells them
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=8004.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Thanks Don. A flush trim bit won't work because I need for the free end to mill the piece while following a template above.

_________________
Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

I belive this is what Grumpy said he was using to trim tops and backs flush to rims

Grumpy uses the Zip spiral flush trim bits that you can get at the BORG.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Right. But I need a bit with the bearing on the other end (the one nearest the router collet).

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

I do all my template work with a rub collar and straight (or the occasional dovetail for neck joints) bits. The bits are cheaper, abundant and it's easier to adjust depth of cut.

-C

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Straight bits are chipping the heck out of my projects.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

"chipping" should not be a function of where the reference (collar or bearing) is. When I say "straight" I mean a cutter that does not have a contour. I use straight spiral bits for template work.
I sense a need for a template tutorial....
-C

_________________
Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Yes, chipping has nothing to do with where the bearing is. However, my template is stationary and the material is only accessible from the top (the template is part of a larger fixture). So, the router is handheld and follows the template. Therefore, the bearing has to be on the collet side of the bit. That's why I am looking for a spiral or shear cutting template bit as opposed to a flush trim bit. I know what bits to use where and why. I am just looking for the bit I know will suit my needs.

_________________
Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Try this link to a previous thread...

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=17275&hilit=router+bit

If it doesn't work, search for my name and "spiral bit".

I ended up buying the Oemco bit. It's a monster but it works great.

edit: I just saw that you are thinking hand-held. The Oemco bit is way to big for that. The other one mentioned might work.

By the way, thanks for that info, Charles.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Thanks for the help. Looks like I may be able to use the other one.

Thanks again!!

_________________
Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

There was just a discussion on that at MIMF and I have the 2" cut length upcut flush cut trim bit with the bearing on the bottom that I use in my router table which I believe is only made by Whiteside. I contacted them to see if they made one with a top bearing and they replied that they don't have a way to make a carbide shaft that a bearing could be put on at this time. They hope to be able to make that type of bit in the future. But they make an upcut and a downcut and a up/downcut flush cut trim bit.

Am I missing something here? Why in this application can't a normal 'no bearing' straight cut spiral bit be used with a simple template guide fitted to the base to follow the template?


Cheers

Kim

My guess would be the template isn't off set for a router bushing and is set up for a flush cut bit.