Official Luthiers Forum!

I bought the stewmac binding router bit about three years ago and only bought the bearing I needed at the time wich was then called the -075. At that time the StewMac bearings were sized to allow for glue swelling once the Binding was installed. StewMac now has the following message on this page

Tip: All our bearings are now sized for exact cutting depth. Remember to allow for swelling of wood fibers from gluing, as well as for the thickness of the glue itself. Glued plastic binding will swell considerably as it absorbs the glue solvents. Wood bindings glued with wood glues that contain water will swell also. To minimize final scraping and sanding, we recommend installing a short length of binding on routed scrap wood first, to test the fit.

I called to talk to customer service today because I was planning to buy some more bearings and was told their current bearings would not fit the older cutting bit.

Just wanted to see if anyone has found another source for bearings that fit their stew mac bits from a few years back.

Thanks for any advice.

Greg

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina

Greg,
I wasn't aware that StewMac changed their bit dimensions. I have bearings that are at least 10 years old and I have a bit that I got maybe 6-8 months ago and the bearings fit fine. I would imagine a lot of people, myself included, would be more than a little upset if the bearings that we paid a pretty penny for don't fit the bit any longer.
On a side note, a few years ago I tried to find a bit to fit the SM bearings because their bits just didn't last. I have several other rabbeting sets I've bought over the years and never had to replace a bit (not to mention the SM bits are $40+ a pop) but I was never able to find another bit that would accomodate the bearings. So, if they've gone and changed an already proprietary bit that will likely spark a few angry calls!
Oh, and if anyone knows where to find bits that will fit the SM bearings, old or new, that would be nice to know.

Steve

There is a bit that will work, I think it's available at Woodworker Supply. I know that's not much detail, but a search should bring it up. That bit is less expensive, but it doesn't have as much length as the SM bit, and you may have to cut your purfling channels first, before the binding, or the wheel won't have room to track properly. All of that is noted in the post(s).

Sorry I can't provide more info at this time.

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Thanks guys. I will double check with StewMac. I just measured my bit and bearing and the dimensions seem to match up to the dimensions on the website.

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina

I have two of the SM bits and a full set of bearings; the older bit is from 2004 and the "new" one is from 2009. Both are still in service, here. I beg to differ with whomever said they don't last..! I've worn-out no fewer than three of the .060" bearings and have yet to need replacing the bit...

Shoot mine bit has a small chunk out of one carbide tip and still runs and cuts smooth.

Good to know Todd. The smallest SM bearing (deepest cut) is still not deep enough to cut the purfling channel for wide herringbone purfling.

How wide, and where do you get such wide, herringbone? All the herringbone I have is .140" wide. I just did a 'bone this week, and the .200" bearing was a spot-on fit for the binding and 'bone combination....

Grumpy - I used the bold herringbone from LMI. .130" paired up with paduak binding from RC Tonewoods which is .085 thick for .215 total. The smallest Stew Mac bearing cuts .210" so the binding stuck out over the sides by .010-.015" counting glue.

Standard binding are .060", so there's the issue....

Yeah, I guess you are right! I wasn't aware of that. Wonder if the RC Tonewood guys know this.

Just to clarify, I got a followup email from StewMac that the bit I have will indeed work with the newer bearings. Sorry for any confusion, and thanks for the good info was shared above.

Greg

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina