Official Luthiers Forum!

Guys,

I need to purchase a laminate trimmer for doing rosettes and binding. Which trimmer or trimmers are the ideal units to get from a lutherie perspective? I’d even be open to getting one for rosettes and another for doing binding. I haven’t decided yet on which binding set up I am going to go with. I have a Dremel, but I’ve heard of issues with using them for various tasks. Suggestions and discussions are welcome.

Thanks,
Scott

I use a Dremel with the stewmac base to cut my rosettes and soundholes. For binding channels I use a Rigid lam trimmer on a home-made jig. Very happy with both!

The new models of the Rigid Laminate Trimmers has addressed a number of the shortcomings of most of the other lam trimmers. Separate release for micro-depth control, control knob near the top, round, see through base, standard size opening that accepts inserts, lifetime warranty, good price. If I were buying another one, I'd be getting one of those. I have an older version, and it's great, except for difficult depth adjustment. I also have a Bosch and a PC model.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

i like the Bosch Colt as a trimmer. but the base depth control sucks. i will be purchasing a cochran base for it. the machine itself is pretty solid, the variable speed is nice, and there's very little slop in the bearings. but like i said, the stock base's depth control is pretty bad.

b

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brendan 3.0 new and improved, with better interpersonal subroutines

Those Ridgid's run really hot -enough so it is uncomfortable on your hand if routing out for inlay. I have two and they are both the same.

Their setup for jigs is nice and they do have a lifetime warranty, but bear in mind that getting warranty service from them may take some considerable effort.

I prefer the old Porter Cable Lam trimmers. The depth adjustment sucks and you have to wack the collet to get the bit out, but they are solid and run cool and smooth plus they last a really long time. I don't know if this applies to the new PCs or not.

-jd

I have the rigid and like it , however on the first one I bought the switch had no tension and would shut itself off while routing, exchanged it and have had no problems, just a bad switch ... I wish the base would except router guide bushings , it doesn't, however a quick search on Amazon.com turns up a site that sells a base that does..
another feature I wish it had was a tilt base...overall I give a 8 out of 10...it has plenty of power for its size and does get a little warm
another thing is that changing bits is easy and solid..

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MK5acoustics.com

The best laminate trimmer/small router ever made is the Porter Cable 310. It has been out of production for a few years, but if you Google it, you will find a couple of places still have them. Pricey, though. A couple of years ago they were about a third less.

But it's a tool that brings satisfaction and confidence every time you pick it up.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.