03-25-2019, 07:55 AM (This post was last modified: 03-25-2019, 07:57 AM by mound.)
I have a bunch of mortises to cut for non rectangular hinges. (think Butler Tray style)
Made myself a perfect template out of 1/2" MDF and then realized I needed a very short bearing guided bit to route the shallow mortises.
Picked up this guy at the local Woodcraft:
Came home and fired it up on a piece of scrap and to my surprise, the bearing is NOT inline with the cutter! The mortise it routed was at least 1/16" smaller than my pattern.
I must be ignorant of something.. Why on earth would a bearing guided bit like this not have the bearing exactly inline with the cutter? My template which fits the hinges perfectly is useless with this bit.
Ended up using my template and a larger bearing guided pattern bit to make a much thicker template so that I could use my much longer bit to cut the shallow mortises and that all worked fine, but what a PITA.
I feel like this new bit is useless as a pattern cutting bit. Very curious to know what I'm missing here, why it's offset. There must be a reason?
If you listen to the podcast FINE WOODWORKING'S SHOP TALK LIVE #183 (free on iTunes and elsewhere) you'll hear the host, Ben Strano, rant about this very subject. I don't think the panel of experts came to a conclusion about why manufacturers offer such a bit.
03-25-2019, 10:17 AM (This post was last modified: 03-25-2019, 10:33 AM by mound.)
(03-25-2019, 09:51 AM)Ohio Mike Wrote: If you listen to the podcast FINE WOODWORKING'S SHOP TALK LIVE #183 (free on iTunes and elsewhere) you'll hear the host, Ben Strano, rant about this very subject. I don't think the panel of experts came to a conclusion about why manufacturers offer such a bit.
wow ok so it's not just me!
edit: Listened to that pod-cast. So funny. My experience exactly! "I hate this bit"...
Not to derail but the topic of Freud bits and blades came up at work. I've always used Amana. It seems that Freud is so popular because a lot of places sell them, we do at work which is why there are so many red bits and blades all over.
I no longer build museums but don't want to change my name. My new job is a lot less stressful. Life is much better.
(03-25-2019, 07:55 AM)mound Wrote: I have a bunch of mortises to cut for non rectangular hinges. (think Butler Tray style)
Made myself a perfect template out of 1/2" MDF and then realized I needed a very short bearing guided bit to route the shallow mortises.
Picked up this guy at the local Woodcraft:
Came home and fired it up on a piece of scrap and to my surprise, the bearing is NOT inline with the cutter! The mortise it routed was at least 1/16" smaller than my pattern.
I must be ignorant of something.. Why on earth would a bearing guided bit like this not have the bearing exactly inline with the cutter? My template which fits the hinges perfectly is useless with this bit.
Ended up using my template and a larger bearing guided pattern bit to make a much thicker template so that I could use my much longer bit to cut the shallow mortises and that all worked fine, but what a PITA.
I feel like this new bit is useless as a pattern cutting bit. Very curious to know what I'm missing here, why it's offset. There must be a reason?
Change the bearing. Bearings are readily available. I bought bearings at Ace Hardware.
mike
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