1 of 2 router issue questions

[marc rosen]

Hello Group, I have two router issue questions and will post the second question after this. Okay, I want to shape the legs of my cherry chairs using a pattern bit and template. The stock is 1&1/2 inch , the template is 1/4 inch beaver board (at least that what my Dad called it back in the 60's) and I have a 2 inch straight bit with the bearing on the end. Would you use this bit or would you use a 1&1/2 inch bit with the bearing mouted near the collet instead of on the end? Even if I had a 1&1/2 inch bit with the bearing on the end would that make any difference? Thanks in advance for your suggestions, Marc

[Garage_Woodworks]

If I had a choice I would use the bit with the bearing near the collet. There is less torque on the bit when the pattern is pressing on a bearing that is closer to the collet.

Also, with the bearing near the collet, this puts the pattern on the bottom and you can see the work being cut better.

Also check out this:

[DonkeyHody]

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Marc, I have both kinds of bits, and I have a slight preference for the pilot at the end. It won't matter in this application, but I find some applications where the bit at the collet won't work. In any case, you'll need to be sure to cut VERY close to the pattern line with a jigsaw or bandsaw before you attempt to route, especially where you have end grain. The grain may catch and leave you with a nasty split if you try to take too much off with the router. And an inch and a half is a lot of face for a router bit to cut. The feed rate will have to be so slow that it will burn the cherry.

DonkeyHody "I'd rather expect the best of people and be wrong than expect the worst and be right."

[Edwin Pawlowski]

I'd use a bit with a bearing on the collet end. They are made for following templates. This type:

[SonomaProducts.com]

=A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Marc

[Lew Hodgett]

"marc rosen" wrote

Six of one, half dozen of the other.

Whether you use a pattern bit (top bearing) or a trim bit (bottom bearing) is more a function of the pattern and how it is secured to the stock, than anything else.

Lew

[George]

Or even if you're using a router table or not.

[marc rosen]

Hey Guys, Thanks very much for your comments. Yes, I had already cut to within a 16th (or less) of the line with my bandsaw last weekend (16 legs for

8 chairs ). I prepaerd two routing templates- for right and left hand legs- from a master using a bearing tipped cutter. The master template will be used for locating the mortises on the inside faces of the back legs. But as I look at shaping the legs I got a bit (no pun inteneded) concerned. I appreciate the comments and will head out to get a collet end bearing bit before I start. Anyway, I enjoy keeping Whiteside in business. Read you all later and I hope you'll be having as much fun making wood dust today as I will. Marc

[George]

Since you've already made the template for a flush-trimming bit, you'll probably not be interested in the fact that you can use a collar and an undersize pattern for routing the shape. Something you might consider in the future.

It's so easy to make a pattern for mortising by tacking strips of wood to ply, including clamping points, that it is my preferred method.