Official Luthiers Forum!

Carlton, the storage problem for small shops (mine) is why I have mine able to be broken down easily by using inserts and bolts rather than screws.

Also, I'm with Dave on the bearing bits, I like the router pilot and dislike the bit mounted bearing. We had a thread on this some time ago, when a channel was being made all the way round on someones sides because the bearing was rotating with the bit and marking the side. I had this a few years ago when the router dust got into the bearing (brand new from a well known source)and made it bind on the bit and with the bearing revolving at 30000rpm it burnt the sides on the best piece of European maple I have ever seen. I also don't want to be phaffing around wrapping tape on a bearing to get the size I want, when I can just turn an adjuster. I also much prefer the finish on the channel from the downcut spiral bit. My bit and bearing set went into the trash.

I guess we'll all just have to disagree on this one.

Colin

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

[QUOTE=Colin S] Carlton, the storage problem for small shops (mine) is why I have mine able to be broken down easily by using inserts and bolts rather than screws.
[/QUOTE]
Yep, I saw that. I guess I should have written, "Another possible...." I was just trying to think of a way to keep everthing assembled, but out of the way in a small shop.

    You are right in that it is why we have white and black paint. I can have a guitar bound in less than an hour using the bearings. They are more accurate but like any tool you do need to do some maitenence.
    I use tape on my sides for the initial pass , then I can remove the tape for a final .010 clean out cut. Also if the bearing is spinning the tape lets me know fast. The are more accurate but if you like using the pilot bearing please , keep using them. I did use them and I just threw mine out. I still have one I use for violin perfling but that is all.
     The important thing I can say here is for anyone , find a system that you like and feel confident in. That is all that matters. Opinions here are worth what you pay for them . No hard feelings to anyone just my opinion
john
PS I still hate them but not the people that like them.