Where to buy short template router bit?

axisus

On the Bailey course, the router bit that is used for the cavities is pretty short. It has a bearing on top and looks about 1cm long cutter. Anyone know where I can get one of these? I tried a few sites but I am yet to find one anywhere?

octatonic

These: http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Routers_and_Bits/Bits/Ball_Bearing_Router_Bits.html

axisus

Yeah, that's what I'm after!

surely there is somewhere in the UK that sells them?

octatonic

axisus said:

Yeah, that's what I'm after!

surely there is somewhere in the UK that sells them?

I've never found anywhere in the UK.

Stew Mac are extremely good at shipping- I've had stuff from them quicker than some UK suppliers.

Roland

If you use an 18mm deep template then you can use a standard router bit. I got mine from B&Q. You can get better quality bit from Wealdon, which will be considerably quicker and cheaper than Stew Mac

axisus

I'm now thinking I may just skip templates and do them by hand. I did this on my last guitar body which came out OK, and nothing I'm routing will even show to be honest. 

StormshadowGuitars

Trend do them, I'll dig you out the code, you can order them from Alltools or somewhere that's 

1/2" Diameter with bearing and about 9.5mm cutter depth.

FelineGuitars

http://www.trenddirectuk.com/46-911x1-4tc.html

StormshadowGuitars

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/C121BX1_4TC/3/162/template_profile_127mm_diameter_.html

1/4" Shank, 1/2" Diameter cutter and 9.5mm cutter depth to the bearing.

They're great for things like adding Floyd routs in painted guitars, where you can't go in too deep to start off but need to be in contact with the template.

StormshadowGuitars

These too, they last a bit longer

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/46_91X1_4TC/4/44/guided_profiler_127mm_dia_x_95mm_cut.html

StormshadowGuitars

This is the 12.7mm or 1/2 depth one, good to have in your routing kit too.

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/46_913X1_4TC/4/44/guided_profiler_127mm_dia_x_127mm_cut.html

GuitarMonkey

The problem is that the bearing isn't hard up against the cutter so you can't safely use thin 3mm perspex templates. Some bits I got from Stewmac years ago were ground to 90° so that the bearing dropped down right against the flutes.

WezV

i use the milling bits from axminster and buy extra bearings so i have 2 or 3 on the shaft

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axcaliber-milling-cutter-with-top-bearing

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axcaliber-router-cutter-bearings

WezV

GuitarMonkey said:

The problem is that the bearing isn't hard up against the cutter so you can't safely use thin 3mm perspex templates. Some bits I got from Stewmac years ago were ground to 90° so that the bearing dropped down right against the flutes.

i would avoid templates that thin for everything except making thicker templates.  I like 6mm minimum for small jobs and 1/2" for body outlines

Sambostar

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

I get mine from here.