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I've been using standard straight cutting bits,
that do an okay job,
but I was wanting to improve my rosette channels.
Anybody tried the LMI up/down 1/4" cut bit?
They're expensive, $46.
What are you using?

The spiral bits are much better at keeping the chipout down. Here is a Freud down cut spiral 1/4" for $15.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CHUQ8wIwAA

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

As a machinist it is about SHARP. up or down cut , if you have a dull bit you are not going to have a good result. My issue with down cuts on uncleared cuts , is the chip goes into the work and this creates heat. It also folds wood fibers into the cut and can give a false read on fit.
here is an affordable supplier of solid carbide end mills. I use a 3/32 PN 2F093.
http://www.bqtool.com/shop/index.php?cPath=22
You will see at this price you can afford to replace these as soon as they are dull giving you best results.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Thanks!

Also a machinist here also and I agree with John Hall on the SHARP factor but don't think there is much to worry about in heat build up when you are cutting a rosette channel.So I vote for a SHARP down spiral or straight bit. A bit of shellac on the area before starting and a slow feed should get you a nice clean edge.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Whats a Wells cutter ???

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

I think he's talking about a Karol cutter.

Should have always been called a Karol circle jig as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, speed of the bit has something to do with how clean the cut is too yes? That's probably also why John Hall uses a mini die grinder, spins at what 5 million RPM

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Sorry Tony!
Are you the Karol part of that?
If so,thank you!

It's a Karol cutter in Canada, but it's a Well's cutter in the US

Just kidding, you da man Tony

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Yes I am Alan .... Sylvan picked up on my design and put up a toot on how to make one, as he thought it was a good design .. everyone used that toot to make one way back when, without ever reading the part about how mine inspired him to do it in the first place. He certainly hepled get it out to the luthing masses ... Its a cool feeing to know that I contributed something useful to help ease what can be a daunting part of the build for some, and get pro results first time out.

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

I picked up a set of these from Ebay and use them with great results. I think the seller is a member of this forum
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Luthiers-5-pc-In ... 27c23d841f

Fred

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

Fred, did you get a better price on the shipping? The $32 to Canada in the listing is pretty high.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I can't remember but I might have sent them to a buddy's place in US.
Send him an email, they will go in an envelope so should not be any where near that amount, though we Canadians are often gouged by ebay sellers.

Fred

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

John, that's a great resource. Do you have any preferences on number of flutes? And coating? Seems that coating would be more important for non-wood.

Mike

I find coatings don't seem to do much with wood. I use 2 flutes for all my work. I didn't see an advantage with cutting wood . I like the extra chip room for the 2 flutes. It seems that the 4 flutes can fill up and block.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Don't forget about taking several roughing passes if tearout is an issue.