Edge radius question

[radiocaster]

I'm not yet ready to start a build because I don't even have wood and the blade on my bandsaw is busted, but I'm curious about the edge radius on a tele.

I did buy two edge bits, one looks like for a strat or Jag, the other has an even bigger radius.

Is there one for teles, or would it be simpler to just round it out with sandpaper?

 

[Ronkirn]

very early Teles had a 1/8th round over... after around 52 ish .. it became more like ¼". Don Randall came back and said the raunchy, rough, hardened Cowboys were cryin' cause the 1/8th radius was hurtin' their arm...

rk

 

[guitarbuilder]

3/16 is pretty much perfect...not too sharp...not too overly rounded.

 

[radiocaster]

Do they actually have bits that small?

 

[GunsOfBrixton]

Yes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000225W7/?tag=tdpri-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P4NRYM/?tag=tdpri-20

 

[radiocaster]

That looks cool, however I have a metric router.

 

[guitarbuilder]

That looks cool, however I have a metric router.

I think you'd want the 4.76 mm radius one.

https://routercutter.co.uk/round-over-beading

 

[dougstrum]

I've used 1/8 and 1/4; but right where
my forearm rests on the body I use 1/2"
Run the big round over about 2" then
blend into small round over with a sander.
It's real comfy and looks good.

 

[radiocaster]

So to get the correct measurement of the bit you measure from the top to the bottom of the circular cutting area and multiply times two? I'm trying to figure out what I bought.

 

[guitarbuilder]

A diameter is twice the radius. Imagine a dowel rod that is 12mm in diameter. You would use a 6mm roundover bit to make that on a router table. Your 4.76 bit would make a 9.52 mm dowel, if you were making dowels.

https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tips/techniques/routing/round-over-bits-basics

A

 

[dougstrum]

Yes, that's the way to measure the bit.
Usually the radius is written on the shank of the bit. It's pretty easy to see on new bits.
1/16 or 1/8 pretty hard to read with a ruler, especially for my old eyes! After a while you'll be able to tell just by looking at the bits.

 

[TRexF16]

3/16 is pretty much perfect...not too sharp...not too overly rounded.

Concur.
Warning - if using any router bit larger than 1/8" radius on a Tele, DO NOT run the bit all the way around the underside of the neck pocket. That will round it over too much for a normal neck plate to fit right. Stop the rout on the guitar's back side just before you get to the area under the neck pocket and blend it by hand from there.

 

[Mike Simpson]

I have been using 1/8" any more than 3/16" starts looking too round to me.

 

[Mase]

I've used 1/8 and 1/4; but right where
my forearm rests on the body I use 1/2"
Run the big round over about 2" then
blend into small round over with a sander.
It's real comfy and looks good.

I'm a 1/8 guy myself, I think it looks better. I like your idea about mixing it up where your forearm rests, might give it a go.
Cheers

 

[RickyRicardo]

I go 1/8th and open it up a touch when I do my final sand before sealer. So it probably ends up being closer to 3/16th. I go by looks.

 

[Macrogats]

Concur.
Warning - if using any router bit larger than 1/8" radius on a Tele, DO NOT run the bit all the way around the underside of the neck pocket. That will round it over too much for a normal neck plate to fit right. Stop the rout on the guitar's back side just before you get to the area under the neck pocket and blend it by hand from there.

Thats good advice. Been there, done that.

 

[Mike Simpson]

Also... route the edge radius before you drill the output jack hole. Guess how I know that.

 

[TRexF16]

Thats good advice. Been there, done that.

Me too. On my second build, which was the first one I did with a 1/4" roundover. The first one was 1/8". Had to make a custom neck plate with non-standard hole spacing.

 

[radiocaster]

There are no markings on my bits, but one appears to be 1 cm and the other 7 mm.

Which means 0.39" and 0.27". I don't think I'm anal enough to look for a 12mm for strats or jags, but I would like a 3 mm one for teles.

 

[Rock-Ola]

Thats good advice. Been there, done that.

It's a rite of passage.