User01 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 Im buying a router so that i can do clean cavities with templates. However, the router im getting doesnt come with very good bits (its really cheap). I was told a bearing router bit would make life easier when routing with templates. As im new to all this, i want to make everything as easy as possible. I managed to find this part online: (ITEM #: 6506) Template Router Bit I was just wondering if anyone knows whether or not that part is suitable for my needs. I hope to use the router to do the neck pockets, pickup cavities and electronic cavities on custom bodies. this is an example of the template im going to be using for humbucker cavities: Thanks alot!!! User01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops1983 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 It will route the perimeter of your bodies and i think if you take the bearing off the end it should rout your neck pocket and p/up cavities. Good price too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 The #6506 one only has the bearing above the cutters (on the router end of the bit), so it's already in the right place to route cavities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 I managed to find this part online: (ITEM #: 6506) Template Router Bit I was just wondering if anyone knows whether or not that part is suitable for my needs. I hope to use the router to do the neck pockets, pickup cavities and electronic cavities on custom bodies. this is an example of the template I'm going to be using for humbucker cavities: Choosing a router bit like the one your are listing from MLS is like fitting on clothes. It has to fit the work at hand. The length listed is just the length of the bit, it does not include the bearing or the space between the two. This is important as you are showing a thin plastic template from which you are doing your work. If you then look at the depth of pickup cavities and the 1" bit you have chosen I think you will find its way too long for the job. If I had to choose two pattern bits, and you should buy two not one it would be a 1/2" or 5/8" and a 1" or 1 1/4" bit. The larger one is for the body and control cavities. Their are several recent posts about templates I highly recommend you read them as this is the first part of the puzzle in choosing the right bit. I also suggest you transfer that pickup rout pattern to a piece of wood just in case something happens you still have the original intact to make another. I have heard this sob story many times before, people ruining their only pattern. Even the best of builders can ruin a pattern, it only takes a second. Maybe a simple picture will help. At the top you take the pickup height, in this case a typical humbucker which is about 5/8" high and the position of the pickup in relationship to the strings after it is installed. You can take this measurement off of any commercial guitar (top of the body to top of the humbucker). In the second picture you need the template height the cutter depth and space between to figure out the right bit. In the case shown a 1/2" bit would be perfect as it would allow you to make a 1/2" or less cavity. It will also allow you to go deeper giving you a good range. Once you pass the template the sides of the pickup cavity becomes your guide. If you start with a long bit you have to make a really tall template to shim yours up. What I was try to write at the bottom of the picture was this is one cavity depth it is not a recommendation on what others use or what will be needed. Some if it depends on the bridge and neck angle as those measurements raise and lower the pickup in relationship to the height of the strings off the body. Sorry I am being so technical here but it is a simple concept once you figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workingman Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 Great explanation Woodenspoke. I was following this thread as a router newbie and think I get it now. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madawgony Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 What Woodenspoke said. Use that template as the master and make working templates from it. Use a stable wood for the working template; 3/4" birch plywood or MDF works well. It is not a question of if you screw up your template, it is a question of when you screw it up, because it will happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User01 Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 thanks alot for your help and insight dudes, i really appreciate it. would a 1/2" bit be alright for routing a humbucker cavity? i cant seem to find a 1/4" bearing bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wood is good Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Yes, 1/2" is actually the one you need. you cant find a 1/4" one, because they dont make one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 thanks alot for your help and insight dudes, i really appreciate it. would a 1/2" bit be alright for routing a humbucker cavity? i cant seem to find a 1/4" bearing bit. I think you mean the shaft not the bit. 1/2 shaft is OK only the diameter of the bit will be 3/4" min. A 1/4" shaft will be 1/2" min . I generally use the smaller shaft for the pickups and the larger shaft for the body. You may not be able to find a 1/2" shaft 1/2" deep bit I have not seen one but dont take my word for it. The 1/2" bit fits into the corners of the pickup rout I have not looked at a 3/4" bit to see if it will make it into the corner. Also use a fostner drill bit to remove most of the wood from the pickup before you rout as the job will be easier. Maybe you should provide a web link to bits you are thinking of buying someone will most likely have an opinion. Or tell us where you are going and we will help you choose. here is some links for the two bits I mentined above, they dont have to be this brand. http://www.amazon.com/Kempston-152004-Patt...1513&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Kempston-152421-Patt...613&sr=1-19 you cant find a 1/4" one, because they dont make one. Nonsense look at this http://www.routerbits.com/cgi-routerbits/s...171778_15585+47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User01 Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Sorry for the ignorance, but am I right in assuming the 'shank' is the part of the bit that 'connects' with the router? If I’m correct, can a router take both 1/4" & 1/2" shanks, or can they only take one of the other? Anyway, what I was planning to do was to buy one of these bearings and put them on my router bit. http://www.infinitytools.co.uk/shop/131/133/index.htm So for example, I would buy this and use it with the 1/2" diameter bit that came with the router: http://www.infinitytools.co.uk/cgi-bin/tro...showprod_PBK109 Would that work? Or would I need to get a bit that already has a bearing on it? Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Sorry for the ignorance, but am I right in assuming the 'shank' is the part of the bit that 'connects' with the router? If I'm correct, can a router take both 1/4" & 1/2" shanks, or can they only take one of the other? Anyway, what I was planning to do was to buy one of these bearings and put them on my router bit. http://www.infinitytools.co.uk/shop/131/133/index.htm So for example, I would buy this and use it with the 1/2" diameter bit that came with the router: http://www.infinitytools.co.uk/cgi-bin/tro...showprod_PBK109 Would that work? Or would I need to get a bit that already has a bearing on it? Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your help! Some manufacturers use the same thing, they just add a bearing and a collar to hold the bearing in place. Just make sure the bearing is the same diameter as the cutter and you will be fine. As far as routers go if it takes a 1/2" shank bit it will also take a 1/4" shank bit, it will not work the other way around. The collet which is the thing that holds the router bit can be swapped for a smaller collet ( routers usually come with two if they handle 1/2" shak bits) or a 1/2 to 1/4" adapter can be bought. The adapter looks like this http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/browsep...et-Adapter.HTML Also I did a quik UK search and found these. Most are under 4 pounds, much cheaper than the US. http://www.amazon.co.uk/silverline-Router-...0031&page=4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User01 Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Also I did a quik UK search and found these. Most are under 4 pounds, much cheaper than the US. http://www.amazon.co.uk/silverline-Router-...0031&page=4 you my friend, are awesome! thanks for the advice, and for the links! much appreciated!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User01 Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) btw, i have selected the following two bits from amazon to buy: Bit #1 Bit #2 are they suitable for routing neck pockets, electronic cavities and pickup cavities etc? thanks! Edited June 5, 2009 by User01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 btw, i have selected the following two bits from amazon to buy: Bit #1 Bit #2 are they suitable for routing neck pockets, electronic cavities and pickup cavities etc? thanks! You are making me work here, I wish the dimensions on amazon made a bit more sense. Both of the bits you chose are the same length 3/4" not a good choice. #1 body work 1/2 shank 1 1/4" long http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-456966-...9397&sr=1-1 #2 This one you do have selected http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-675131-...9796&sr=1-8 Now this can be used for the pickups and the neck pocket. If you can afford it also buy this as well as it is in between http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-868626-...0414&sr=1-5 1" long 1/2" wide and 1/4" shank THis would be a better size for the neck pocket and it is only 1/2" wide for a crisper (more square ) corner Again the second two are not ideal but will work fine, you just have to make a few adjustments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User01 Posted June 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 awesome! thanks alot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wood is good Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 OHH, Sorry, I thought he did mean the cutter Diam. not the shank diam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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