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What type of router bit do I need to cut binding channels?
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

A Rebate Bearing bit if you want to use the router without a guide.

Or a guide and then some sort of bit, hears where opinion differs, I like to use a downcut spiral as I find it gives a really clean cut. Other people argue that a downcut is not the bit to use because of the chip clearance, for me though I really like the downcut spiral.

I use a bit and bearing set I bought from Tracy, one of the advertizers here. Works well, and the bearings are in 0.010" increments.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I am in Russel's camp here, I get the best results with a 1/4" downcut spiral bit in a laminate trimmer and a binding jig.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Yep 1/4"downcut spiral bit and laminate trimmer with a bearing guide. Or of course gramil knife and a chisel!

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I'm with Michael on this. I also have the bearing bit set from Tracy. Problem is, I don't think Tracy is selling them any more. You could check with him though, he might have a couple of extra lying around.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I am just finishing off my binding jig which is after the Larrivee style (sold by Guitar Jigs) I am using a 1.24 inch reverse rake angle rabbetting bit. I will post pictures when I finish it off (once the shop is closed up!)

Shane

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Canada

[QUOTE=Colin S] Yep 1/4"downcut spiral bit and laminate trimmer with a bearing guide. Or of course gramil knife and a chisel!

Colin[/QUOTE]

Do you recommend the gramil that LMI sells, or other?

I'm planning on building a Rod True/Taylor style jig with a dedicated router permanently mounted to it, so no need for the bearings, but I will look into the downcut bit. Thanks for all of your input!
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I use the LMI set and it is great. It is better than the SM set because there
are so many more bearings available.
The other advantage is the bearing is set lower, so you can route the binding
first without having the problem of the bearing fallling into the binding
channel when doing the purfling.
With the Stewmac one, you must do the purfling 1st.

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Here is a pict of the LMI set where the bearing is lower down!!!!

CategoryName=Binding+Tools&NameProdHeader=Binding+Cutter%
2FBearing+Kit">LMI Bearingsazimmer138954.7794212963

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

[QUOTE=bbeardb] [QUOTE=Colin S] Yep 1/4"downcut spiral bit and laminate trimmer with a bearing guide. Or of course gramil knife and a chisel!

Colin[/QUOTE]

Do you recommend the gramil that LMI sells, or other?[/QUOTE]

The Schneider gramil that LMI sells it a very good tool, I have one and it works just fine. Normally I use one of the older style violin purfling cutters, the straight type with the wooden handle. I always use it prior to routing the channel as it prevents tearout especially on the top, sometimes I instead of using the router I just get out the chisels and use the low tech method of removing the wood.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=azimmer1] I use the LMI set and it is great. It is better than the
SM set because there
are so many more bearings available.
The other advantage is the bearing is set lower, so you can route the
binding
first without having the problem of the bearing fallling into the binding
channel when doing the purfling.
With the Stewmac one, you must do the purfling 1st.
[/QUOTE]

I definitely agree with Andy here. It's really nice to have that extra space.
It seems to make things a little more stable too.

Mike

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

I'm on the side of the 1/4 inch downward spiral bit and laminate trimmer guys.... attached to a binding jig,gives a very clean accurate ledge

The Woodcraft flyer has the 1/4 inch down-spiral bits on sale for $25. Anyone else have those cheaper? Its probably not a box-store type item, I'm guessing.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

J, try woodworkers supply for freud carbide double and triple flute downcut bits. They are $15.99 plus shipping for the 1/4"dia x 1" cut length x 2-1/2" long x 1/4" shank.

Rod True38960.0926157407

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Or if you go the the OLF tool shed and type in downcut spiral router bits in the search box, you will find the same thing and price there and if will somehow help out the OLF....er I think

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I'll check that right now. Thanks for the info!
-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

25 bucks at woodcraft on sale ??? they are only 21 cdn at the borg up here, reg price. I find the freud ones dont stay sharp as long as Dimar's, or this other company up here in Totonto that makes them .. Ken Walton knows the name of the place, he gets them for me on his way over !!! They also have 1/8 and 3/16 on 1/4 shaft - handy.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I was mistaken. It was actually $36, not $24. I left the store and ordered it online for about $14 with no shipping charge. Thanks for all your help. With any luck, I'll have a binding machine done next week. No guitar to bind, but the machine'll be done.
-j.
j.Brown38962.0529976852

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I've bought a couple of bits from American Carbide. Their prices are pretty good as well.

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53% of all statistics are made up on the spot
http://driftwoodguitars.blogspot.com/

Also check McMaster-Car. www.mcmaster.com.
They have everything under the sun!

LouisLouis405238962.8983912037

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- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

[QUOTE=Dave Rector] I'm with Michael on this. I also have the bearing bit set from Tracy. Problem is, I don't think Tracy is selling them any more. You could check with him though, he might have a couple of extra lying around.[/QUOTE]

No longer in stock...I enquired about 4 months ago.

The place Tony is referring to is called F S Tool,they manufacture bits in house,they will make any size you want, if it is not a common bit size,we pay around 19 bucks Canadian,they will ship,very sharp and durable...haven't broke one yet.the web site is www.fstoolcorp.com hope that will be of some help.
Ken Walton....