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Actually, I'm using the B&D version of the dremel tool. Anyways, several times I have had the bit slip out somewhat while routing, ruining the work. Most recently I was routing a channel for rosette purfling and it slipped down and cut a complete hole. I'm fed up.

I'm using the adjustable collet that came with either my Dremel or B&D. Do I just have a bad one, am I doing something wrong, or are these known for slipping. I tighten it as tight as I can with my fingers. Should I be using a wrench?

Collets do wear out. How long have you been using it? Yeah, it's always a good idea to tighten with a wrench, just to be sure.

Also, sometimes you can get dirt buildup or something oily on your bit shank. It's good to clean 'em up occasionally.CarltonM38933.5787037037

[QUOTE=rlabbe] Should I be using a wrench?[/QUOTE]Yes, I had the same problem. Using a wrench stopped it.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Best solution .. get a lam trimmer, problem solved and how. I would never trust a dremel for a rosette ever again (first three done that way ...)

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

[QUOTE=TonyKarol] Best solution .. get a lam trimmer, problem solved and how. I would never trust a dremel for a rosette ever again (first three done that way ...) [/QUOTE] Tony,
I have laminate trimmers that I use for binding channels. They are nice tools, but I've never used them for rosettes. Perhaps I should.
I have used dremmels for my last 3 rosettes. After a very tough learning curve, I do pretty good with them now. I think the same learning curve would be required with a laminate trimmer.
Making rosettes is not an easy process. I'm unclear how a laminate trimmer makes it easier, or the rosette better. I'd love to hear why from someone like you. I'm in no way committed to dremels or my method for that matter.
Thanks,
Steve

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I had the same problem and using a laminate trimmer solved it for me too. Just adapted the Stew Mac circle cutting jig to take the laminate trimmer. The technologhy has probably moved on but the Dremel I was using didn't have the power. I use my Makita lam trimmer now for all the routing jobs - binding, rosette, truss-rod etc etc.

Also once the little button on the Dremel that you had to push to lock the head to remove/install bits started slipping it was a NIGHTMARE getting the bits in and out. On the lam trimmer you just use a spanner.Dave White38933.646400463

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Steve,

I have a dremel that i used for binding channels on my first and it was such a nightmare that i put it away in it's case, did not even consider doing a rosette on no 2 with it, i bought the Porter Cable 7310 Lam trimmer and using this jig, it went much easier for the rosette and i'm using another jig for the binding channel.


I do my rosette a la Mario's with a piece of plexiglass that i attach at the bottom of the dremel and decide where i want the diameters to be pivoting from, here's a pic


Serge Poirier38933.6810069444

Serge,
I own the Porter Cable 7310. It is a great tool. I really like that base you have on it. I'm going to have to make one of those. That must save a ton of tine in set up.
Do the dimensions on your base indicate center to center for the cutter and the dowel, or is there compensation for the cutter and/or dowel.

I think one of our OLF sponsors could sell a lot of those here.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

why is a lam trimmer better - OK, my reasons ...

WAY better (bigger) bearings, not sloppy like some dremel types. ever wonder why you route a channel with a 1/16 bit, and you get 75 thou or more (1/16 is 62.5). Yes the bit may flex some, but ingeneral you get what the bit is plus a hair. Rosette shell and purflings can snap in place - ask any one of my students.

More bit choices - if doing a classical or even shell, you can use a 1/4, 3/16 or 1/8 downcut on a 1/4 inch shank. Dremels cant do the bigger bits.

I find it is way easier, and more solid, setting the bit height, even on my PC 7310. Get yourself the stew mac action gauge - its the greatest thing for setting router bit heights - measures 50 thou for shell right on. Std rulers dont.

All I had to do to mod my original circle jig for the PC was drill two holes to mount the base. Simple.

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

Steve, sorry for the time i made you wait, i'm still at work!

Yes, i measured from the center of the cutter to the center of the dowel, but one could make measurements with compensation in mind yeah.

This jig was inspired by Mike Tobey's jig, purchased at Lee Valley Tools, here's a link

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=40970&cat=1,43 000

Making one is so simple, especially if you want to change diameters often

SergeSerge Poirier38933.7049074074

[QUOTE=TonyKarol]All I had to do to mod my original circle jig for the PC was drill two holes to mount the base. Simple.[/QUOTE]
Thank you Tony. That makes good sense. I'll make the switch to laminate trimmers. What circle jig do you use?
That action gage looks great. I always had a hard time setting depth. Thanks for that tip!

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier]Making one is so simple, especially if you want to change diameters often

Serge[/QUOTE]
I'll have to make one then. It will be a good chance for me to talk with my good friend with a mill.
The one that you gave a link to had increments of 1/16". Do you think that is good, or would you make one with smaller increments like .025".


Here is a picture of my LMI fixture. I don't think it would adapt to the laminate trimmer - or would it?

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Steve, 1/16" is good enough, i'd recommend you buy one of them tools from Lee Valley's, it is made perfect already so the guessing is avoided when measuring, i did mine because i felt soooo dumb after breaking that one that Mike Tobey had sent me and was dang broke!

Hey Roger,

I have great success with my old dremel for rosettes and had the same problem you describe: those downcut bits want to do exactly that, cut DOWN.

Reef on it good with a wrench and problem solved.

I am amazed at two things here:

1. The amount of information contained within this thread. Thank you for the indepth details and for sharing your tricks and know how.

2. The number of tools I see shown within this thread that I already have in my garage!

In my glass restoration I have never really cared for my Dremel as I found it loose. I have found my Porter-Cable very reliable and exacting.

Now a lam...that I need to investigate.

Thanks to all who have contributed. I have it copied and filed

Hesh, that rosette is very nice! Way to go bro! Is that BRW?

Jeanne The laminate trimmers from Porter cable are just awesome, you will fall in love with them, look for the PC 310 (the cadillac) or the PC 7310 less expensive one but does a very neat job.

PS, i don't get paid for this!

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier]
Jeanne The laminate trimmers from Porter cable are just awesome, you will fall in love with them, look for the PC 310 (the cadillac) or the PC 7310 less expensive one but does a very neat job.

PS, i don't get paid for this! [/QUOTE]

Thanks Serge! As always you are the bearer of terrific information!

Since you don't get paid for endorsements, you should at least get a years supple of CCF ! Jeanne38934.3391898148

Hesh I use the smaller bits with the PC trimmer. They sell a collet adapter to take i/8" bits.

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Been posted before, but here is my circle cutter - infinitely variable and locks with the screw knobs...

built off the idea of the Schneider cutter that LMI sold.

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

Tony,
That circle cutter looks very nice. I'm thinking that if the adjusting screw is replaced with a micrometer, you'd just about have perfection there.
Is that available any more? I just checked LMI and I could not find it.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

You have to remember - this has a 1/4-20 thread, so every 1/4 turn is 12.5 thou - you can get pretty darn accurate with that. If a purf line it fitting really tight, just a touch on the screw and another go round and it fits beautifully.

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

[QUOTE=Bobc] Hesh I use the smaller bits with the PC trimmer. They sell a collet adapter to take i/8" bits.[/QUOTE]

Same here Bob, i had forgotten i bought the adaptor, and also, Lee Valley sells bits with very tiny cutters for laminate trimmers.