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If I'm using a Ridgid 2401 laminate trimmer in my binding machine and the combination of UHMW donut and Phenolic base equals a total thickness of 3/4", should I order the longer shank or shorter shank binding cutter bit from LMI? I was leaning towards the longer shank. Thanks, Wendy

Measure your setup. Set your router about where it makes sense and then measure from the collet down to the bottom of the binding ledge. Also measure how deep the router bit can set in the collet. Add the two and there you go.

Here are the dimensions from LMI.

Inside diameter of each bearing measures .187".
Cutter has a 5 degree downshear.
Cutter shank diameter is .250".
Cutter shank length is 1.388" on the short version and 1.450" on the long
version.
Cutting edge measures .5".

A follow up email clarified that the dimension for shank length goes from the top of the shank down to the top of the cutter when viewing the bit with the bearing at the bottom.

Hope that helps.

Mike

_________________
Mike Lindstrom

Thanks Mike, I did get that information form LMI also and went ahead and ordered the longer shank. I guess I was just being lazy when I posted the question . Thanks for your help. Wendy

What matters is the height adjustment range of your router base and its minimum and maximum useable distances from the collet. With too short a shank you may have trouble setting the base to expose enough of the cutting edge for a wide binding; with too long a shank you may have trouble setting the base out far enough for a shallow cut for purfling. But you have some leeway in how far you set the shank into the collet (the shank should be all the way through the collet, but not bottomed in the chuck). I doubt that you will have a problem with what you ordered. In general, try to set the bit as deep in the chuck as you can without bottoming, and the base as close as you can to the router body.

_________________
Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

Howard's right. If you find the last few I've posted, you'll notice that I use a bare boned wood binding with no purfling. That's because I wanted to try a simple clean look. BUT, that is also as deep as I can go. One of these days soon, I'll need to remake the base on my setup to get a little more depth.

Mike

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Mike Lindstrom