Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey All,
I had posted this on the mimf a while ago, but I didn't get a lot of response. I have a friend who can custom order a rabbet bit and 18 bearings, basically the same set that LMI is selling, but for half the cost. He actually drew the specs up for a luthier. I think the luthier was using the LMI bits, but not sure. If you bought the full LMI set I think it would be US $255, but I can get the same kit for US $150. I already received mine, and I verified that the bearings that come with the LMI kit will fit on this rabbet bit also. So with 18 bearings, you won't be putting masking tape on your bearings trying to get a perfect fit. Here are some pictures. The pictures show 2 rabbet bits, but your set would only include one rabbet bit and 18 bearings, plus an extra screw for the bearing and the allen wrench. It goes from .06 to .25 cut. You can go to LMI's site for the exact specs. This is a great deal. I want to make sure I have enough people before ordering. So far I have about 6 people. I need 10 to get a good deal. I would like to receive half of the money up front, so if someone backs out, I won't be left holding the bag. So if you are intersted, you can paypal me $80 to tl507362 AT yahoo.com, and I'll hold your spot. Also, shipping in the lower 48 states is included. I'll probably order them the beginning of next week, and it I'll ship to you by the end of next week.
See pics here:






Tracy Levequetl50736238384.6438888889

1. Who are you? !
Please re-register using your real name. We try to keep things on that kind of level around here. We have a couple other folks we need to get to use their real names too ( hear that Sprocket? ).
2. Why are there two cutters?
3. A number of folks use jigs like mine where it would be great if the shaft of the bit was a bit longer than average. Is that a possible modification?

Thanks,

Don Williams

Don W38383.768587963

_________________
"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."

Hey Don,
I always post my name at the bottom of my posts, maybe you just didn't notice it because it is at the very bottom of my post. When I first received my set I had taken some pictures of them. The friend of mine threw in an extra bit for me. One was 1" OD, and one was 1 1/4" OD. You would just be getting the 1" OD. As for the shaft of the bit, I'm not sure if it can be modified, but I can find out. I know that he has 25 of them already in stock, so after he runs out, he may be able to reorder with a longer shaft. What size would you want it to be? Thanks!
Tracy Leveque

Oh Tracy ! I didn't know that was you!
Sorry....

I'd have to measure what I have and then give you an idea of what I would like.
$150 is a great price for those who are considering a bearing set.

_________________
"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."

Tracy I'm in. Can you see about getting an NFL team to group buy Plummer and a few others. How is Denver, getting awful homesick. Maybe Maine will help, but no place like home

Sprockett is in for sure

I HATE the masking tape thing, and I've wondered if there where more bearings.

-Sprockett-

_________________
-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

I'm getting closer.Dickey38384.9132523148

And you are getting SOOOOOOO close to the 4th star I am sure you don't want to do that.

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

Here is some more useful information on this bit/bearing set. I spent about an hour comparing the LMI bit/bearing to the one I have. Bearings can be interchanged between both bits.
bearing OD's are as follows(the same as the extended LMI bearing set):
.88, .86, .84, .82, .80, .78, .76, .74, .72, .70, .68,
.64, .62, .60, .58, .56, .54, .50. LMI's smallest bearing is .54, mine is .50.

My rabbet bit is 1" OD, so with the largest bearing, it will make a small ledge of .10". LMI's Rabbet bit OD is .90", and with the .88" bearing it will cut a smaller ledge of .05". Using the smallest bearing on my rabbet bit, you will yield a large .30" ledge, and on the LMI with their smallest .54 bearing, you can only get a .25" ledge. If you ever need to go bigger, you will have to find a smaller bearing. It seems my bit/bearings give you more range. Also, potentially more good news for Don, my shaft length is 1.32" and LMI's shaft length is only 1.14". So you do get a longer shaft by ordering this bit. Also the shaft is the same as LMI's at .25". Thanks Paul and Stan. I'll ask that you put $80 down by the end of the week to hold your spot. Anyone else?
Tracy Levequetl50736238384.06125

Hmmm....I'll see if the finances will allow, and if the bit suits my needs, but it's certainly a very tempting offer. I've got a StewMac set that'll do almost all the combos I need it to, for the purfling I've got, but there are a few gaps, and it ain't future proof after all.

I'll get back to you before the end of the week.

Ok, just let me know before Friday.
Tracy

I'm in Tracy.

_________________
Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I got your payment Don A. Thanks!
Tracy

I have a correction to make on the measurements for this bit. When I was doing the measurements last night I was looking at my 1 1/4" bit that he sent me. Also, I didn't hold the caliper over the blade of the lmi bit. After doing this, I found out that the LMI bit is 1" the same as the one you would get. But all this means is that LMI's bit cannot cut a .25 binding channel(there's only goes to .23) and mine will go to .25. Other than that and the shaft being longer, there really is no difference.
Tracy

Ok, I just wanted to make one last call to anyone else out there who hasn't seen this post and would like to get in on this group buy of the binding router/bearing set. I'll be placing the order on Monday. So please make your payment of $80 before monday morning. If you want to pay the whole $150, that is up to you. Thanks!
Tracy

Count me in...look for my paypal. Sorry I have not responded sooner but I was on the road (in the air) for work all week.

No problem. I got your payment, and will let you know when the bits come in. Thanks all who have joined this group buy. This is a great deal for us all. If there is anyone who got missed, I'm still open to doing this again, or I might be able to get 1 or 2 more. So I'll keep this offer open until Sunday night.
Tracy