Binding Bearing Blues

[Clancy]

Here's what happens when the binding router bit bearing siezes.

Bearing Burn.jpg (55.71 KiB) Viewed 8098 times

Has this happened to anyone else or am I just an unlucky bastard.
The bit/bearing is from Stewmac & is only 2 guitars old.

It's actually burned a deep channel in the side. .

I thought I was finally using a fool-proof method of cutting the channels.
Now I'm thinking I need to re-design & seperate the bearing from the bit.

[woodrat]

I am sorry to see that Craig. I hope that it scrapes out for you. I have the same set from Stew Mac that I bought but have not used it yet as I never got around to that format of binding rig. I changed direction and I have just bought the luthiertools.com binding base which as you say separates the bit from the bearing. With the AU Dollar up it was a good investment. It is a bit tippy though and takes some getting used to.
Also the thread title sounds like a good song title!

John

[kiwigeo]

I give my bearings a clean up after each job...a fair bit of cr*p gets into them.

The Luthier Tools jig is good but as stated there's a knack to using it properly.

[Nick]

Has this happened to anyone else or am I just an unlucky bastard.

You're just an unlucky bastard Craig
Gawd I've had my Stewmac set for yonks & no problems. Might pay to flick them an email with that pic attached & maybe a copy of the email reciept they sent you (so they have proof and a date of purchase). I suspect they will send you a replacement, maybe even a new set, gratis. I've been impressed with their customer support of late, as that's not usual bearing behaviour only after a lap around a couple of guitars! Especially those, as they are sheilded to stop all but the smallest crud particles getting into the races.

[Dominic]

Just unluck I guess. Like Nick I've had mine for about 5 years, never clean them more than a quick wipe on my shirt and have never had a problem. I always check my bearings before use to see they are spinning freely. They are supposed to be sealed bearings and nothing can get in so there must have been a manufacturing fault.

I had one disintergrate on a cheap roundover bit once with obvious bad outcome for the piece I was working on. But the SM ones have always seemed very good quality as they always spin smoothly.
Send em a message.
Good luck
Dom

[Clancy]

Thanks for your commisserations everyone.
Before creating this post I sent an email to Stewmac using their website contact page.
I couldn't find a way to attach/include a picture so I just let them know when I bought it & how many times I've used it.
Will attach the pic to a "reply" of their "reply"

[rocket]

I wouldn't be surprised if they offered to replace the whole kit for you and even pay the return postage costs, they really go out of their way to keep their customers satisfied.
Rod.

[charangohabsburg]

...that looks ugly at the moment. But if you just go ahead with the bound bearing you could call it a feature and keep as a trade secret how you made the Hot Burning Chili Fire Stripes HBCFS™

[Clancy]

....call it a feature and keep as a trade secret how you made the Hot Burning Chili Fire Stripes HBCFS™

Thanks Markus, I spilt my morning cuppa on the laptop from reading that
Should I start a bidding war on the HBCFS™ Installation Device (patent pending) that I have in my possession?

Stewmac have kindly offered to send a replacement. Geez there good!

[charangohabsburg]

Glad you did not spill anything on the guitar.