jay5 Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 I have some money designated for router bits. I just got a whiteside top bearing bit for neck pockets and other cavities. I need to get a roundover bit as well as a standard cutting bit for truss rod channels. What size/brand do you guys use for different applications and where do you generally buy them? Also, for anyone who routes out the body shape with a template what size bit do you use for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveq Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 What length cutter is on the pattern bit you bought? A few of us here have been looking for a supplier of a bit similar to what stewmac sells. Derek found a place that sells short (1/2"?) cutting head pattern bits but the smallest dia. is 1/2". I really like the stewmac 3/8" bit. It's just the right height and diameter to do pretty much everything I need (except the body outline). For the body outline, I've been using a 1/2" dia. x 1" pattern bit and then flip the body and use a flush trim bit. Some sanding is still needed but I really prefer routing over any thing else I have tried - especially for maple bodies. What are you using for templates? I know stewmac is expensive but for templates, I think their stuff is well worth the money. I really like the clear templates with the center lines - real easy to work with. I just wish they were a bit thicker sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 I buy from routerbits.com they are based in Atlanta and I got my bits in three days. When I do my template bodies I use the 1/4 top bearing bit. It takes the perfect amount off. Whiteside Machine Company is the only place to buy bits, espcially the top bearing bits. Anything large than 1/2 just wastes the bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay5 Posted April 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 This is the bit I got; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...MEBWN%3AIT&rd=1 Not sure how the price compares but I figure $25 isnt too bad a deal. I use 3/8" mdf for templates. What size flush trim bit do you use? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Looks to be a great bit! I just bought my 2 bits today-- 1 that's a straight-cut 3/16" (for the truss rod channel), and a 1/2" flush trim bit with ball-bearing guide. Both are Freud. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyB7539 Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 I got one of the Whiteside template bits and love it... The rest of mine though are Bad Dog Tools. They don't have them on their website though. I bought mine at a tool show for $250. It got 50 bits though, and they have a lifetime warranty against breaking and chipping. Of course they are a 1/2 inch shank, so I don't think I have to worry about breaking...if you wanna check out some of the other tools bad dog has their website is www.baddogtools.com. I also have their drill bits and they are wicked... They got a nice angle vice setup for like 55 bucks also... Of course I got mine free with the purchase of the router bits and the drill bit set... Also I just checked out the routerbits.com website, and I didn't know you could get bits custom made... I might have to check into one that will cut my neck profile for me and just break down and get a router table for it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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