Official Luthiers Forum!

I know there must be postings out there discussing this topic, but I have spent a half hour looking, and I haven't found what I am looking for.

New owner of a Wells/Karol jig, and I need to chase down some fine spiral cutters to use with my PC 7310 laminate trimmer. I have 1/8" and 1/4" cutters with 1/4" shanks, but where do you folks get the cutters for the really fine channels? Are you finding 1/4" shanks with fine cutters or using 1/8" shanks in your laminate trimmers?

Thanks,

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com

I think this is what you are looking for: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Dreme ... _Bits.html

You've got to get the adapter for the 1/8" size. The adapter is on this page as well.

You might want to try http://www.precisebits.com or you can look for Think & Tinker they both have good prices on small bits. Finally http://www.routerbits.com has good prices on slightly larger spiral bits.

Thanks. Can I safely run the 1/8" shanks in my laminate trimmer with the proper collett/adapter?

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com

You might check ebay, they are like $4.00 if you look. Not downdraft though, but at that small, it may not matter.

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

Precisebits has everything you need, and there are no better cutters anywhere. Even considering the prices, they're the only place I buy mills under 1/16".

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Enjoy your precision base! I don't know how small you wish to go but Freud sells a 1/16" bit on a 1/4" shaft. Fine for bwb purfling. Available at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Freud-04-096-16-Inch-Diameter-Straight/dp/B00004T7B2/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1233814401&sr=8-8

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Todd Stock recommended these guys:

http://www.cetdirect.com/catalog/index. ... _9244_9245

I ordered several bits (solid carbide standard two flute end mills, which the link should take you directly to), and they look great, but I haven't used them yet - I'm waiting for some new purflings to arrive before I finish the rosette I'm working on now. The prices are great and the service has been excellent so far.

I looked at Precisebits and did not, in fact, find everything I needed.

I got the collet adapter from Stewmac, to use these 1/8" shank bits in a PC 310 laminate trimmer. I had wondered if I could actually find a 1/8" collet that would fit the 310, but no such luck. Again, I haven't used the adapter yet, but all reports are that it will work just fine.

Good luck!

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

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

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

The 1/4 to 1/8 from lee valley works fine .. use it all the time.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Here's also a place to get whatever size you may want also. More expensive then Todd's link but nice to have when in need.
http://www.endmilldiscount.com/end-mill ... t-tr-2.htm
Although upcut I believe it was discussed in the other discussion that it doesn't matter when this small.

[quote="Sylvan"]Enjoy your precision base! quote]

Thanks Sylvan. The one I have came from you! I was originally thinking I would mount the base to my Porter Cable 7310 laminate trimmer, but in talking to a gentleman at PreciseBits today, he said the 7310 has too much runout to handle the small diameter bits and suggested replacing my tool before buying any bits. So that got me thinking. Why can I not mount my Dave Nichols inlay tool to Sylvan's base? It already accepts 1/8" bits, and I won't have to worry about bushings (My appologies, John, I grabbed the picture of Dave's tool from your website).

This

Plus

This

Ken

_________________
http://www.casperguitar.com

Ken,
Where did you find that on Costum Pearl Inlay site?

Chris,

I called Dave Nichols over a year ago when I first was looking into inlay. I was going to use my Dremel, and he talked me into getting his tool. I don't know if it is on his site. You may have to call him. John Hall also sells the tool and base. It works great. Cuts through ebony like a hot knife through butter.

Ken

_________________
http://www.casperguitar.com

Do you get any oil blow out the back?
This looks like it. Minus the base of course.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=47869
I have one of these for engraving and etc. It doesn't take 1/8" bits though just dentist bits and burrs.
http://www.scmsysteminc.com/engraving.php

Here's some REALLY inexpensive ones: http://www.jtsmach.com/jtswebshop/asp/s ... _index.asp

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

Ken -
I would strongly urge you to use the base with a laminate trimmer. You will have more power and a much cleaner cut in spruce. I would expect your PC 7310 to work just fine with 1/4" shank bits. The whole point of the router base is that it is micro-adjustable which means you can use a 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", or 1/4" bit (depending on the size of your rosette or purfling), making a pass and then adjusting the base to the correct fit.

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Chris, I have mine setup with a paper towel to diffuse the air. I put a couple of drops of oil in the hose before each use and don't seem to notice an issue with oil.



Sylvan, Yeah, my whole intent in getting the base from you was to route rosettes. But I am trying to figure out how best to cut fine perfling channels. Getting a 1/4" bit with a 3/32" or less cutter is either impossible or extremely expensive. I thought, "No problem, I'll just get an adapter for my PC trimmer and use 1/8" bits." However, I was told by the chap at PreciseBits that my laminate trimmer has too much runout to handle a bit that small. I will just end up breaking the bits. He suggested I get a Bosch Colt. I don't know if he was feeding me a line or not--I have never tried running 1/8" shanks in a 1/4" laminate trimmer. Rather than invest in another tool, I thought maybe I just mount my air grinder to your base.

You guys have been cutting rosettes much longer than I have. Do any of you using the PC 7310 and have problems using 1/8" shanks with bushings?

Ken

_________________
http://www.casperguitar.com

That's what I use in my W/K base. But I can't say that I used a 1/32" or smaller in it. I also have cut the front of the base off since this picture was taken to open up the view of the bit. You could always have another base for the mini grinder. Wouldn't take much to build the pivot adjustment out of some plexi and then just CA a couple of plexi blocks for the rods to attach to your mini base. But first give the bits and the adapter a try and see if it will work for you.

Chris, so are you using 1/4" shanks or 1/8" shanks with bushings?

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http://www.casperguitar.com

I use the adapters for under 1/8" .
That's not a 7310 in your picture?

You're right. That is a picture I swiped from Sylvan's web site! Mine actually is just like yours.

Ken

_________________
http://www.casperguitar.com

I thought you might have mistakingly added the 7 to it.

I've never used a PC 7310, but I suspect you would not regret upgrading to a PC 310 or a Bosch Colt. Also, I'll bet the guy at Precise bits has some experience to back up his warning about runout with the 7310, but it may be something that varies somewhat from unit to unit. With a 310 or a Colt, you should be golden for sure.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

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

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

Check this topic on OLF
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=20679

The ebay seller Aaron is a OLF member, I have a set and they are good.

Fred

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

Todd, you are the devil himself I really don't need much temptation to purchase more tools!! The guy at PreciseBits suggested I test mine for runout, but I don't have the gauges to do that, and despite my fascination with tools, do not see one of those gauges in my future. He also noted that by the end of February, PreciseBits will have a 1/8" collet available for the Bosch Colt. They investigated doing one for the 7310, but said the 7310s they run in the their shop on the CNC machines have pretty bad runout. They really can't use the fine bits in them or the bits will break, so no need manufacturing a custom collett for them. But he is talking CNC work, not removing 1/16" of soft pine for a rosette.

Fred, thanks for link, I traded PMs with Aaron a few days ago, he noted that his bits really aren't made for use with routers. That was followed up by the chap at PreciseBits telling me not to use fine cutters in my 7310. At which point I began wondering to myself if I really do need to cut a .03" perfling channel. Maybe I should just stick with .06" perflings as I can get get a 1/16" cutter on a 1/4" shank.

Thanks again everyone for your input.

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com