Neck Pocket Router Bit

I have been looking through here but didn't see anything about specific router bits for shaping a neck pocket.

Here's the situation - I bought a body but the neck pocket is too small for the neck I have to put into the pocket. I really like the neck, and the body, so I got a template to enlarge the pocket accurately. But I haven't figured out the most foolproof way to rout the pocket and use the template.

I have thought about using a collar to run on the template similar to routing for door hinges, but I'm not sure how that would work. Any advice would be appreciated. Oh, and thanks for answering my dumb question!

Hi Gaolee,

I use a top bearing bit that is 1/2" x 1" long. I use a 3/4" MDF template with cutout. I use a forstner bit to hog out most of the cavity before using the router bit.

No question is dumb.

Bill

No question is dumb.

Bill

+1

Stewmac sells their pattern bit which is .5 dia by .5 inches long. It's a great bit and my go to bit for cavities. It is for use with 3/16-1/4 templates as well as thicker ones.

I use both the 1/2" x 1/2" and 1/2" x 1" top bearing pattern bits. Depends on how thick the template is.

Thanks! I really appreciate the help. I'll have to measure the thickness of the template. It is lucite, so my guess is it's about 1/4", but I don't know for sure without measuring.

The top bearing would allow me to rout at the template and then slowly work down the cut if the bit isn't long enough. The previous cut would then be the template. That sound like it would work as long as I get the template lined up properly for the original cut. I don't really want to foul this up!

Yep. That's how it works.