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Mr. B · February 21st, 2009, 02:43 PM

When I'm routing a body using a pattern following bit on an MDF template, the bearing tends to cut into the template a little bit. So the next time I come to use the template, unless I take care to position the bearing my body will be a little smaller.
Not a huge issue really but I wondered how you guys countered it. (or even if you've encountered it!) Is it time to switch to acrylic before my templates are reduced to the size of postage stamps?

Also, before I go ahead and cut this out can anybody tell me who I've ripped off this headstock design from? I'd like to believe I've hit on something original, but I have my doubts...

jwells393 · February 21st, 2009, 03:41 PM

It's a little hard to believe that the bearing is cutting into the template. Check to see that the bearing turns freely and that it measures the exact diameter of the cutter. If the cutter was slightly larger than the bearing that would explain it.

You shouldn't be pressing the bearing hard against the template. In theory, the bearing shouldn't be turning with the bit. It should just be rolling along the template.

Are you routing hand held or on a router table?

Mr. B · February 21st, 2009, 04:03 PM

I've got my router in a table. The bearing turns freely enough so I suppose that I'm forcing it too much.
I'm away from my garage this evening so I can't get the calipers out and verify this, but possibly the bearing is bigger than the cutter - I'm seeing that the work isn't being cut flush and jamming the template up against the bit.

With this neck build coming up perhaps it's time to shell out for a couple of quality bits. You'd think I'd learn that buying budget tools isn't always great value.

eryque · February 21st, 2009, 04:24 PM

It doesn't take much pressure against the template to make the bearing follow it. I also very sincerely doubt that your bearing is cutting the template. If it were, you'd wind up burning the mdf and it would be uneven.

What do you mean by your template being jammed up against the bit?

Your headstock design looks similar to the Peavey 6 in line headstock, but it's not a dead ringer.

TELE_BLUES · February 21st, 2009, 04:25 PM

That template should last a good long time.The one i had lasted about 10 years until i moved a year and a half ago and my template/tracing box full of priceless artifacts must have gotted mistaken for garbage by some uniformed boob and thrown out

I'll be the first to admit it did look like a box full of scrap paper and cardbord. That headstock kinda reminds me of a music man sabre guitar i had,not exact but close.A very cool guitar by the way!I would'nt be worried about "ripping somebody off" imagine if nobody "ripped off fender or gibson's ideas.

Mr. B · February 21st, 2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eryque

What do you mean by your template being jammed up against the bit?

Just pushing against it.

Well from your responses so far it does look like something is up with the cutter/bearing size...

Nick JD · February 21st, 2009, 09:08 PM

Remove and hold your bit's knife edge up against a steel rule. The bearing and the knife should be continuous. If your bearing is at all "rattly" ... DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

Shepherd · February 21st, 2009, 11:28 PM

Sounds like the blades of the bit are worn out which makes them smaller than the bearing. Thats why you have to push hard to get it to cut.

crane550 · February 22nd, 2009, 08:17 PM

Hehe, the T-60 was my first guitar. It's sitting about 3 feet away...wouldn't sell it for the world.

Jimmy_D · February 22nd, 2009, 09:12 PM

It's fairly common to find new bits where the OD of the cutter is actually larger than the OD of the bearing. After a sharpening or two the cutters end up smaller than the bearing and the bit ends up leaving extra material.

If the cutters have a larger OD than the bearing, and are set below the work, they will cut into the template. If you were to use the template from the other side next time with the same router setting - you'd actually be trimming the work and your template to a new and smaller size - you should probably get a bit that cuts the same or less than the bearing diameter.

robt57 · February 22nd, 2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shepherd

Sounds like the blades of the bit are worn out which makes them smaller than the bearing. Thats why you have to push hard to get it to cut.

But then the wood being cut would be getting bigger then the template, not smaller, no?

jwells393 · February 22nd, 2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

But then the wood being cut would be getting bigger then the template, not smaller, no?

Yes.

February 21st, 2009, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. B Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canterbury - UK Posts: 169	Router bearing damage, or "Why are my bodies shrinking?" When I'm routing a body using a pattern following bit on an MDF template, the bearing tends to cut into the template a little bit. So the next time I come to use the template, unless I take care to position the bearing my body will be a little smaller. Not a huge issue really but I wondered how you guys countered it. (or even if you've encountered it!) Is it time to switch to acrylic before my templates are reduced to the size of postage stamps? Also, before I go ahead and cut this out can anybody tell me who I've ripped off this headstock design from? I'd like to believe I've hit on something original, but I have my doubts...

February 21st, 2009, 03:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 65 Posts: 14,283 101 Photos	It's a little hard to believe that the bearing is cutting into the template. Check to see that the bearing turns freely and that it measures the exact diameter of the cutter. If the cutter was slightly larger than the bearing that would explain it. You shouldn't be pressing the bearing hard against the template. In theory, the bearing shouldn't be turning with the bit. It should just be rolling along the template. Are you routing hand held or on a router table? __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person.

February 21st, 2009, 04:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,406 44 Photos	It doesn't take much pressure against the template to make the bearing follow it. I also very sincerely doubt that your bearing is cutting the template. If it were, you'd wind up burning the mdf and it would be uneven. What do you mean by your template being jammed up against the bit? Your headstock design looks similar to the Peavey 6 in line headstock, but it's not a dead ringer. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

February 21st, 2009, 09:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 37 Posts: 4,861	Remove and hold your bit's knife edge up against a steel rule. The bearing and the knife should be continuous. If your bearing is at all "rattly" ... DANGER WILL ROBINSON! __________________

February 22nd, 2009, 08:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
crane550 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boise, Id Age: 24 Posts: 30	Hehe, the T-60 was my first guitar. It's sitting about 3 feet away...wouldn't sell it for the world. __________________ "Smithers! This isn't rocket science! It's brain surgery!" -Montgomery Burns

February 21st, 2009, 04:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr. B Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canterbury - UK Posts: 169	I've got my router in a table. The bearing turns freely enough so I suppose that I'm forcing it too much. I'm away from my garage this evening so I can't get the calipers out and verify this, but possibly the bearing is bigger than the cutter - I'm seeing that the work isn't being cut flush and jamming the template up against the bit. With this neck build coming up perhaps it's time to shell out for a couple of quality bits. You'd think I'd learn that buying budget tools isn't always great value.

February 21st, 2009, 04:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
TELE_BLUES Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ROCKCHESTER,NEW YORK Posts: 872 71 Photos	That template should last a good long time.The one i had lasted about 10 years until i moved a year and a half ago and my template/tracing box full of priceless artifacts must have gotted mistaken for garbage by some uniformed boob and thrown out I'll be the first to admit it did look like a box full of scrap paper and cardbord. That headstock kinda reminds me of a music man sabre guitar i had,not exact but close.A very cool guitar by the way!I would'nt be worried about "ripping somebody off" imagine if nobody "ripped off fender or gibson's ideas.

February 21st, 2009, 11:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Shepherd Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maple Ridge, Canada Posts: 1,035	Sounds like the blades of the bit are worn out which makes them smaller than the bearing. Thats why you have to push hard to get it to cut.

February 22nd, 2009, 09:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jimmy_D TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Age: 49 Posts: 67	It's fairly common to find new bits where the OD of the cutter is actually larger than the OD of the bearing. After a sharpening or two the cutters end up smaller than the bearing and the bit ends up leaving extra material. If the cutters have a larger OD than the bearing, and are set below the work, they will cut into the template. If you were to use the template from the other side next time with the same router setting - you'd actually be trimming the work and your template to a new and smaller size - you should probably get a bit that cuts the same or less than the bearing diameter.

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