Router bits

[Johnny Bravo]

I've genuinely tried to research but I'm at a bit of a loss.

If I was to write a shopping list of a minimum set of router bits, what would I need to:

- do some contouring steps (eg LP's)
- round over bit (tele/strat)
- binding
- finishing off body shapes using a template (don't know a better way of describing).

On that point, are there members here who sell solid templates (or is that question forbidden?)

Any responses/chastisements appreciated.

[kiwigeo]

I've genuinely tried to research but I'm at a bit of a loss.

If I was to write a shopping list of a minimum set of router bits, what would I need to:

- do some contouring steps (eg LP's)
- round over bit (tele/strat)
- binding
- finishing off body shapes using a template (don't know a better way of describing).

On that point, are there members here who sell solid templates (or is that question forbidden?)

Any responses/chastisements appreciated.

Guitar Templates has a good selection of templates. The business is run by ANZLF member Andrew Armstrong. I've used them for various supplies and always received quality goods and top service. If you cant find a template ring Andrew and discuss with him what you need.

https://www.guitartemplates.com.au/

[Johnny Bravo]

Guitar Templates has a good selection of templates. The business is run by ANZLF member Andrew Armstrong. I've used them for various supplies and always received quality goods and top service. If you cant find a template you're ring Andrew and discuss with him what you need.

https://www.guitartemplates.com.au/

Thanks very much, Martin

[Dave M]

Don't buy one of those collections of bits. You won't use half of them!

Really the best way is to buy bits as and when you can see what you need for a particular job. You will almost certainly need some straight cutters but you will probably need bearing guided types, however top or bottom bearing again depends on the particular job.

I should look at the use of guide bushes which can be very useful.

As to binding that will depend on how you do it. If using a 'tower' type of jig then you need the specialist set of down cut bit with a collection of different sized bearings - see the big US supplier of guitar making kit.

I am assuming you are not used to using the router... consider how you will deal with the dust/chippings, these are very messy machines.

Using them upside down in a router table is very powerful - you don't have to buy one you can easily put something together yourself.

Be aware that you will end up spending quite a lot on bits - as with any tool buy the best quality you can afford.

It is worth looking at the woodworking sites to get a feel for what is available and what you can do with them. In the UK Axminster Tools has a big selection of stuff.

Oh and do take the safety seriously - a bit coming loose in the collet and flying round the shop is not fun! You will also find routing in the wrong direction can splinter and smash your carefully thicknessed piece of wood!

Best of luck

[tapslider]

Johnny
here is a collection of bits the Orange are cmt bits available from carbatec and the box set are torquata from Timbecon the bit with top and bottom bearing is a triple fluted bit that has a slight spiral and if you are going to rout from templates this is the bit that I would use and from my experience works very well.The third bit I bought direct from carbitool an australian manufacture and have used this bit to rout moulds from templates as pictured, remember that you don't want rout more than 2mm otherwise you will have problems always go against the direction of the cutter, some people do climb cutting with routers this can be very dangerous Iv'e seen a person put a piece of wood into a table router the wrong way and its grabbed the work piece and thrown it twenty metres and almost got there hand so be very careful all power tools are noisy and create lots of dust
Hope this is helpful
Regards Tapslider

[kiwigeo]

A router table one of the best tools I made up for my workshop. I got my hands on a Unilift router lifter and made up the table myself. At the time the Unilift was the bees knees of lifters but these days there are other makes available that do an adequate job.

As far as router safety goes.....learn how router spin direction and direction feed interact and always be aware of both when working with a router. All my routers have cutter turning direction marked in felt pan on the machine and the table has normal direction of feed also marked on the table surface.

[Johnny Bravo]

Don't buy one of those collections of bits. You won't use half of them!

Really the best way is to buy bits as and when you can see what you need for a particular job. You will almost certainly need some straight cutters but you will probably need bearing guided types, however top or bottom bearing again depends on the particular job.

I should look at the use of guide bushes which can be very useful.

As to binding that will depend on how you do it. If using a 'tower' type of jig then you need the specialist set of down cut bit with a collection of different sized bearings - see the big US supplier of guitar making kit.

I am assuming you are not used to using the router... consider how you will deal with the dust/chippings, these are very messy machines.

Using them upside down in a router table is very powerful - you don't have to buy one you can easily put something together yourself.

Be aware that you will end up spending quite a lot on bits - as with any tool buy the best quality you can afford.

It is worth looking at the woodworking sites to get a feel for what is available and what you can do with them. In the UK Axminster Tools has a big selection of stuff.

Oh and do take the safety seriously - a bit coming loose in the collet and flying round the shop is not fun! You will also find routing in the wrong direction can splinter and smash your carefully thicknessed piece of wood!

Best of luck

Wow thanks for all your helpful thoughts.

I certainly want to invest in really good quality bits and yes, I'm a novice with a router (save for when I used it under supervision at a luthier course) and want to take my time to make a lot of mistakes, clean up a lot of sawdust and have some fun (safely, of course).

Thanks again

[Johnny Bravo]

A router table one of the best tools I made up for my workshop. I got my hands on a Unilift router lifter and made up the table myself. At the time the Unilift was the bees knees of lifters but these days there are other makes available that do an adequate job.

As far as router safety goes.....learn how router spin direction and direction feed interact and always be aware of both when working with a router. All my routers have cutter turning direction marked in felt pan on the machine and the table has normal direction of feed also marked on the table surface.

Thanks Martin

Router direction is something I may have forgotten to consider. Thanks for the reminder.

I hope that 1/16'' contour steps shouldn't be grabbing too much material (unlike routing a cavity) so I hoped that that would be a reasonable introduction to using it.

[Johnny Bravo]

Johnny
here is a collection of bits the Orange are cmt bits available from carbatec and the box set are torquata from Timbecon the bit with top and bottom bearing is a triple fluted bit that has a slight spiral and if you are going to rout from templates this is the bit that I would use and from my experience works very well.The third bit I bought direct from carbitool an australian manufacture and have used this bit to rout moulds from templates as pictured, remember that you don't want rout more than 2mm otherwise you will have problems always go against the direction of the cutter, some people do climb cutting with routers this can be very dangerous Iv'e seen a person put a piece of wood into a table router the wrong way and its grabbed the work piece and thrown it twenty metres and almost got there hand so be very careful all power tools are noisy and create lots of dust
Hope this is helpful
Regards Tapslider

Thanks for all the info, picture references and advice.

I'm very grateful.

[ozziebluesman]

Hi Johnny,
I have bought bits from these guys. Some are cheap and you only get what you pay for but their service is good. Their better quality bits are priced well. Business in Australia.
https://www.endmill.com.au/?srsltid=Afm ... 2KlaFPGGw2
Cheers
Alan

[kiwigeo]

Cutters I use the most in my shop:

- straight and ball end cutters for doing truss rod slots
- double flute cutters with bearing guides (top, bottom, top and bottom bearings) for use with trimming up to templates.
- a 45 degree bevel cutter for classical bridges (ramped backside of saddle slot).
- a variety of small cutters (1 - 4mm) for cutting saddle slots.
- 1/4" (6mm) down and up cut spiral cutters for rosette and binding channel work.