Router cutter for binding channel

[Dave M]

I use the LMI router cutter with bearings for cutting rebates for binding and purfling.

I did my current build today and it has given me a bit of a rough finish. This with relatively wide grain Sitka on the top with maple back. It isn't terrible - can be cleaned up but I wonder how often people sharpen, or get sharpened their cutters? Mine has only done a handful of guitars but I am aware spruce is fairly abrasive stuff.

And if people do sharpen their own I wonder about the technique for doing so...?

[demonx]

It sucks having to replace router bits but it's just one of those things where every six months or so the most commonly used bits all need replacing, on average every 20 guitar or so.

I'm terrible at sharpening things like blades, drills and router bits, so I take them to a local machine shop which charges so little that it's not worth me messing up the tools. I've also had them shorten router bits for me for particular applications.

I'd suggest finding a place close to you that does a good job, cheap.

Keep in mind something like a router bit when sharpened changes cutting size, unlike a drill bit that just gets shorter.

[Jeremy D]

I am no expert but I sharpen my stewmac binding cutter easily with a small DMT dimond plate. Similar to this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5aQ_RnGxVw

[kiwigeo]

I am no expert but I sharpen my stewmac binding cutter easily with a small DMT dimond plate. Similar to this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5aQ_RnGxVw

This is what I do. After each binding job just give the cutter a bit of a dress up.

[Steve.Toscano]

As others have said - sharpen. Otherwise i find going around the channels 2 or 3 times with the router helps rid the fuzzy bits.

[Dave M]

Jeremy thanks for that link. It makes it look easy. Will give it a go.