Official Luthiers Forum!

Todd, I have not that type of bit yet but need to aquire one. I buy inlay bits from LMI and they cost a bit, most wouldn't think they cost very much if you work for a living, I don't work, I'm on disability. I noticed on the plastic package the bit comes in a company name and went to the site and found I could buy the same bit in most cases $10 to 15 less and was shocked that LMI had such a mark up. I even wrote to LMI and asked why they had such a high mark up on almost all that they sell, and that other companies who sold the same products cost much less.
They did not care, they charge what they want.
I do not buy tools from them unless I just have to.
Does the package your bit come in have a company name? If it does go to the site. Even carbide does not have to cost a lot as I've found out. I'm a Nam vet and been building for nine years now. I don't frequent this site too often as it takes time out of building, but thought I could help a little.
cheers.

Can I ask why you need the binding bit cutters, whats wrong with a standard cutter and an edge guide setup? You'd have an infinite choice of sizes then

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

That works very well, but at least to me there is less chance for error when setting up, and once you know exactly the ledge size set up is totally fool proof. I like the ease of use of the bearing cutters myself.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Thanks for the continued input, everyone.

I don't wish to argue with any opinions presented in this thread, but just for the record I want to make it clear that I did not intend to criticize LMI for their pricing. I have no qualms with the folks at LMI or how they run their business; in fact I greatly appreciate all they do and admire how well they do it, and I am happy to be a regular LMI customer. I highly recommend them to others.

As to switching to a different method, I am very happy with the results I get using my LMI-purchased Ribbecke binding rabbet cutting jig with a PC 310 and the LMI bit and bearings, so, for the foreseeable future, I'm sticking with this method. It works flawlessly for me (and I'm a real perfectionist - the slightest gap in bindings and purflings would not pass my test), and I highly recommend it.

If I run across a source for a bit of the same quality, features, and dimensions of the LMI bit for a substantially lower price, I'll buy my replacement bits there in the future (while continuing to use the bearings and the jig from LMI), and I don't think my friends at LMI would begrudge me that.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I appreciated John's comments and did not find them disrespectful or offensive.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/