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After a long discussion with Brock over the merits of the Bishop Cochran plunge router base




And the Micro fence unit



I decided on the Cochran base. Brock said he was able to make a mod to the Cochran base that allowed it to cut circles smaller than 3", the mod took all of 20 minutes. That is what I needed. The final plus for the Cochran base was its ability to plunge.
I have used the dremel/stewmac circle cutter for all my rosettes with good results but I am ready to step up to a lam trimmer for this operation. Yesterday Fedex dropped off a PC 310 to go with the base. Allied said my Cochran base will ship on the 19th WhoHoo! I have eight tops awaiting rosettes!

By the way, Toolbarn.com has the PC 310 for 159.00 with shipping costing only one cent.



This IS the router to get!LanceK39086.367962963

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Very cool Lance!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

What size and kind of bit do you plan to use with this router? Are there different size collets, and what about fine lined purfling channels, like those used for bwb purfling? Will that be a problem cutting those?

John

Lance, can you tell me what the cochran base costs--I'm assuming you don't need the base that came with the 310?
I have a new 310 motor without the base--it may be an inexpensive way for me to steo up to that unit?

Nice tool for sure Lance, with your level of craftmanship, you deserve the best!

what was the modification?

It's really bad, y'know; I don't need another 310, but I keep considering buying another one. Just...because. Cochrane base is a little rich for my blood, but it sure looks like a great piece of tooling.

[QUOTE=af_one] Lance, can you tell me what the cochran base costs--I'm assuming you don't need the base that came with the 310?
I have a new 310 motor without the base--it may be an inexpensive way for me to steo up to that unit?[/QUOTE]

It's roughly $250 plus shipping. Check it out At Allied Lutherie

And the micro fence is routhly $180Rod True39086.4495023148

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Congratulations Lance. That is the best plunge base ever made.

They're expensive, but worth every single penny you paid. I used to use his
Dremel version, but the sloppiness of the Dremel and it's 1/8" shaft was
really the weak link. It was definitely wise to get the PC310 model.

Of course I made my own plunge system for my PC310 saddle slot jig, but I
certainly plan on getting one of Bishop Cochrans bases for my Foredom for
doing finer detail work.

You are absolutely going to love it.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I've been considering this combination - I LOVE the 310! I used the dremel/stewmac for the first four, and had been having a problem with cross-grain tearout on rosettes. I tried an experiment on some scrap spruce, with the 310, the same bits, and a quick and dirty circle cutter, and viola - no tear out. Mind the tearout wasn't horrible, but it was noticeable...

Lance: Let us know how you like the Cochran.

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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Always love to see a good dude get new tools!   

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

[QUOTE=John K] What size and kind of bit do you plan to use with this router? Are there different size collets, and what about fine lined purfling channels, like those used for bwb purfling? Will that be a problem cutting those?

John[/QUOTE]

I have the same questions, as well as what was the mod to achieve the smaller radius?

Also, for Brock...what guitar operations besides rosettes do you use this rig?

This is a beautiful tool!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Gee Lance...It must be nice!
Well...I can renew my membership or I can buy one of those routers!!
What do you think I should do!!

Walter

The mod is this.

When you close up the unit the center pin is about 2 1/4" +/- to the center of the cutter. So the holes it cuts out of the box are larger than the soundhole, and it is BARELY tight enough to do a rosette.

However....

There are two holes on the front of the guide plate right by the center pin.

I simply made a block out of UHMW plastic with a center hole drilled into it and screwed it into the base. It was very easy and it is solid as a rock. Now I can cut circles less than 3"

I can't say enough about how much I love this tool.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Hi Brock...was wondering if you might have a picture of the modification?

Thanks,
Greg

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Gwaltney Guitars

I can get one. But if you look at the jig that Sylvan posted the other day you will see exactly what I ma talking about. The post is extended toward the cutter by an inch or so.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

John, JJ,
I plan to use a reducer collet for the 1/32 & 1/16th size bits, that is what I use for the single b/w/b line out side the main rosette such as I did in this one.



For everything else you can buy 1/4" shank bits at various suppliers.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

the cochran base was the ultimate in my mind as well up to a couple of months ago. then i became aware of the microfence plunge base for the 310 and a few other trimmers.

i had been planning on getting a cochran, planning ever since they came out about 5 yrs ago, and almost bought on on ebay a month or so ago for $150 just before i saw the microfence version. but like many bargains i had to pass it by due to other priorities. now i am almost glad i did.

the only problem is that alas, the microfence version makes the cochran seem like a lowcost bargain!!!