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For cavities I use cheapo bearing bits from Toolstation, about £3 a pop. They're not the fanciest things in the world but getting say a set of top & bottom bearing bits in different sizes is cheap and they're fine if your not doing tons of routing every day. Or 1/4" for the tight radius corners and 1/2" for quicker hogging out the main area faster etc.
As always, I appreciate the info ;-)
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is it crazy how saying sentences backwards creates backwards sentences saying how crazy it is?
I guess these are the same sort that loads of places sell, sometimes if you swap a size there might be a tiny lip but I've either ignored it or given a quick swipe with sandpaper. Or used the one bit all the way around. I guess being cheap there's luck of the draw when it comes to exact fine tolerances from one to another and won't stay sharp as long as better ones. I only use them for cavities, pickguards type things where they do OK. Nicer ones for like headstocks, bodies etc.
Tried to find pics, I'm crap with cameras but these are chopped out with these ones, seem pretty clean
http://www.alleykat.co.uk/images/stuff/jazzmaster_n/11_pink.jpg
http://alleykat.co.uk/images/stuff/exbird/fb09_cav.jpg
I'll certainly try! ;-)
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I have to say routing is something I've come to really enjoy doing over the years. Like yourself, I was a bit wary at first as I'd heard so many horror stories of work pieces going flying but after getting the hang of it, I now find it very satisfying work.
I think one of the key things is getting to know the feel of your machine. Getting to know when it feels like it's going to rip or catch and feeling the difference between wood densities and how they affect the router.
When i first started building guitars, I was very ignorant to the world of woodworking and their tools. I had no idea that router bits with bearings existed and you could use them with templates to make life easier, so everything I routed was done freehand...aaand to this day it still is. I just use templates to just draw round in pencil to get the shape I need and then take it away and rout to the pencil lines, freehand. While I don't really recommend this as it can be a recipe for making very expensive firewood, it does give you a good feel of things, especially on making extremely fine cuts and passes. Definitely something to try on scrap wood, even if you don't adopt it for main projects.
For router bits, cheapo stuff is absolutely fine for taking large chunks of material away but I found they don't give as fine a cut for the really precise stuff and are a bit more prone to catching and tearing. I know the price is somewhat eye watering but I bought this set when I first started and they are still going strong 8 odd years later. Pretty much gives you most of the bits you'll ever really use for guitar work but maybe something to look at later down the line. https://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+power-tool-accessories-router-bit-sets-multi-profile-tct-router-bit-set-66-piece-multi-profile-1-2-shanks-rutlands+tr303
Apologies for the lengthy essay!
Cheers!
Mike
www.stonewolfguitars.com
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Hi @randella and cheers muchly, it was a JM body that got darker later, up to that oxblood/maroon sort of colour.
I'm sure these cheapies aren't super consistent from one to another so I only use them on cavities and suchlike. I've had the fine lip thing sometimes when you swap around, like you said. Far as I can remember it's not been so bad where a quick sand didn't wipe it out though. I do keep nicer ones for where you take no chances like a headstock or body edges and stuff, but the cheapies seem OK for some things. If I could ever stop buying bloody pedals I'd prob spend more on smart router bits though for sure .. : )
Keep them clean by wiping off all the gunk with ipa or something after using and that helps avoid burn. I have a couple of nice whiteside bits that I save for more critical areas, but so far the cheap one hasn’t given me any major problems. Will probably grab some more to have as spares or whatnot
www.rexterguitars.co.uk
I reckon soon it’s going to be time for an IPA
Would waste a pale ale on it
www.rexterguitars.co.uk
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