Which router cutter?

rockmonster

I’m planning to butcher my PRS SE Silver Sky in order to fit a full sized bridge Humbucker. I’ve tried a hot rails and it just doesn’t cut it for me. 

I already have a HSS pick guard a router and a stock cutter for roughing out  but I need a cutter to finish the slot accurately and do the extra bits for the pickup leg slots. I need a cutter with a bearing on it so I can maybe use the pick guard as the template I will probably finish the leg slots by eye.
What size and spec cutter would you guys recommend and where do i source them?
Thanks…..
I don’t suppose a template to cut one out for the SS exists yet does it?

Bork

B&Q would be my first port of call.  Generally try to get as small radius cutter as possible so you can get the corner radii as sharp as possible.  Otherwise you will need to finish the corners with a chisel too.  The bearings should be included when you buy as they need to be a precise fit.  Your choice mainly comes down to 6.35mm or bigger.  I use 6.35mm simply because they fit my routers without needing to change collets.

However I prefer to get maybe 2-3 bearings and stack them, it provides more contact surface during the depth plunging.  Template wise, there are hobbyists who offer to make them from CNC cut plexiglass because if you slip, then you don't need to replace the piickguard. 

WezV

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Template_Trim_279.html

Go for one of the short ones.

Always use a template.  The guard won't be thick enough for this but you can use it to mark out a piece if suitable template material. A normal humbucker template should be fine

Sporky

Another vote for Wealden - really good quality.

And for getting or making a template. I think Simo here does them in laser cut acrylic. 

guitargeek62

Sporky said:

Another vote for Wealden - really good quality.

And for getting or making a template. I think Simo here does them in laser cut acrylic. 

He does indeed:

https://reverb.com/uk/shop/simnett-guitars

rockmonster

WezV said:

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Template_Trim_279.html

Go for one of the short ones.

Always use a template.  The guard won't be thick enough for this but you can use it to mark out a piece if suitable template material. A normal humbucker template should be fine

Isn’t a 9.5mm diameter a wee bit big Wez?
When you say go for one of the short ones, how short? I’m assuming I need to cut roughly 20-25 mm deep in places? I don’t have the body with me at the moment so it’s all from memory  

rockmonster

guitargeek62 said:

Sporky said:

Another vote for Wealden - really good quality.

And for getting or making a template. I think Simo here does them in laser cut acrylic. 

He does indeed:

https://reverb.com/uk/shop/simnett-guitars

Excellent! I’ll be ordering the Humbucker jobbers then! Double sided tape I presume?

guitargeek62

@rockmonster aye, or two bits of normal masking tape with a dab of superglue between them if you’ve not got any double-sided stuffs

rockmonster

Ordered the templates just need to clarify which cutter size?

WezV

rockmonster said:

WezV said:

https://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Template_Trim_279.html

Go for one of the short ones.

Always use a template.  The guard won't be thick enough for this but you can use it to mark out a piece if suitable template material. A normal humbucker template should be fine

Isn’t a 9.5mm diameter a wee bit big Wez?
When you say go for one of the short ones, how short? I’m assuming I need to cut roughly 20-25 mm deep in places? I don’t have the body with me at the moment so it’s all from memory  

Nope.  I do most of my pickup routes with a 12.7mm bit.   If you are worried the corners won't be tight enough, drill them first, but it often isn't needed.   It's much better to cut the cavity with a wider bit than try and do it all with a small one... or buy both, but for one i wouldn't

As for length... you are not planning to cut it in one pass are you?  You need to do multiple if using handheld router.  A short bit will allow a nice shallow first pass which makes it much easier to use the template.

I like the 12.7x8mm

I'd also avoid long leg humbuckers on this style of guitar if you can.

rockmonster

Ossum thanks Wez and no one pass would be just asking for trouble! Lol! and short legs all the way!