Are These Template Bits Any Good?

I need to make some templates. I have never made or used a template before. I know to use a template you need template bits (bit with the bearing at the top) of which I have none. I have the following books somewhere in my house. They all seemed to have disappeared and I can't find them right now, but they are here somewhere.


Make Your Own Electric Guitar by Melvyn Hiscock and Brian May

Build Your Own Electric Guitar by Martin Oakham

Building Electric Guitars: How to Make Solid-Body, Hollow-Body and Semi-Acoustic Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars by Martin Koch


One of these books, I think the one by Hiscok & May, has a section on how to create and use a template. One of the things I needed was a template router bit, but I don't recall the book giving any advise on what size.

So I've looked on Amazon and found some made by Freud. The router I have is a Dewalt DW618 (http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW618PK-Plunge-Fixed-Base-Variable-Speed/dp/B00006JKXE/ref=acc_glance_hi_ai_ps_t_1) router (1/4, 1/2 bit collets) which I have never used.

So my question is are these bits good template bits and what size is best to get.

Freud 50-118 Top Bearing Flush Trim Router Bit, 3/4-Inch Diameter by 1-3/4-Inch Carbide Cutting Length 1/2-Inch Shank (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IPHGAW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

Freud 50-116 Top Bearing Flush Trim Router Bit, 3/4-Inch Diameter by 1-Inch Carbide Cutting Length 1/2-Inch Shank (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IPHGAM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

You probably want a .5 dia bit. I particularly like the stew mac bit because it has a cutter only .5" long. Most folks get the cheaper 1" long bits that are 1/2" diameter. Freud, CMT, and Whiteside are your best bets. You can get them at WoodCraft or (amazon for just a few dollars more than the ones you can buy at a home center). If you have the half inch collet, I'd go for the 1/2" shank ones as they are more rigid. Some templates call for a 3/8 bit. I don't have a one in a template bit, but I do have one in a flush trimmer which has the bearing on the end of the cutter.

Those look like good bits. A little pricey. They would be good for routing the body shape. However the diameter is too big for routing a Telecaster neck pickup cavity, a telecaster pickguard or a Telecaster neck pocket with tight fitting corners.

Those look like good bits. A little pricey. They would be good for routing the body shape. However the diameter is too big for routing a Telecaster neck pickup cavity, a telecaster pickguard or a Telecaster neck pocket with tight fitting corners.

So what would be the diameter to get for routing the neck pick-up cavity, pickguard, and or neck pocket?

Read post 2 again.

So what would be the diameter to get for routing the neck pick-up cavity, pickguard, and or neck pocket?

1/2". you could get a 3/8" and use for routing both 1/2" corners and the 3/8" on humbuckers..
Freud is a very good brand, but pricy as Jack said.. I found Katana bits very good for the price. you can get them at www.mlcswoodworking.com

edit: messed up the link

Except 3/8 has to do a lot more work than the 1/2 and gets dull more quickly. I guess I haven't used mine in a while, I do have the stewmac 3/8" version too. It's used for the tight radii and not part of my regular-use arsenal of bits.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_flush.html

This is where I get my pattern bits.

I really like the 1/2" x 1/2" bit. Its a lot easier to use with 3/4" templates than the 1/2" x 1" pattern bits.

I'd recommend getting this instead. Whiteside make really
excellent bits, and they're made in the US (in case you care).

http://www.amazon.com/Shank-Diameter-Cutting-Length-Bearing/dp/B000HZV5KM/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1321142034&sr=1-1

Here's one with shorter cutting length:

http://www.amazon.com/Whiteside-Template-Router-Bearing-Guide/dp/B000HZX4WE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1321142251&sr=1-1

Check these reviews:

http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/ToolTestRouterBits.pdf

I do like the couple of whiteside bits I have.