Where to find a flush trim bit with a thin bearing?

[Artemus]

The wife wants glass in the kitchen cabinet F&P doors. I removed the panels with no problem but now I can't find a flush trim bit with a bearing narrow enough to go in the groove formerly occupied by the panel. I really don't want to do the pattern bit and guide method as the doors have a cathedral top.

Anyone know where I can find a FT bit with a bearing that will fit a 1/4" groove? This seems like it would be a common need so I'm hoping someone makes one.

I already DAGS so there is no need to flog that horse.

Art

[Morris Dovey]

| The wife wants glass in the kitchen cabinet F&P doors. | I removed the panels with no problem but now I can't | find a flush trim bit with a bearing narrow enough to go | in the groove formerly occupied by the panel. I really | don't want to do the pattern bit and guide method as | the doors have a cathedral top. | | Anyone know where I can find a FT bit with a bearing | that will fit a 1/4" groove? This seems like it would be a | common need so I'm hoping someone makes one. | | I already DAGS so there is no need to flog that horse.

If you don't turn up the bit you want, then you might consider using a bit with a bearing smaller in diameter than the cutter by the amount of stock you want to remove - and letting the bearing ride the front profile...

-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA

[Morris Dovey]

| If you don't turn up the bit you want, then you might consider | using a bit with a bearing smaller in diameter than the cutter by | the amount of stock you want to remove - and letting the bearing | ride the front profile...

Hmm. I think I meant to say "radius" rather than "diameter".

-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA

[Artemus]

[bynot]

Just a thought Instead of searching for a bit, why not search for a bearing from a ball bearing company or machinery supply catalog. That way you can get a bearing with the specs that you need to attach to your bit.

[dadiOH]

Your slot is 1/4 x 5/8? Deep slot. *REALLY* deep slot. And each tongue is 1/4 x 5/8?

Trouble is, the flush trimming bit won't work either even if you find a bearing to fit in the slot. It won't work because it won't cut all the way to the bearing and you'll be left with an uncut area above the bearing. Not to mention the problem of the shaft below the bearing hitting the other tongue and keeping that skinny bearing from even

*entering* the groove. Solve those and you are still faced with the necessity of a flush trimming bit having to take out 5/8" of wood...not a pretty picture.

The only bearing guided bit I can think of that will cut that deep is a slot cutter. And many of those just do 1/2" deep. You'd need one with a removeable cutter and which comes with bushings to adjust the position of the cutter on the shaft. If you find one, the bearing would be riding on the lower tongue.

If it were me I'd be reminding the wife how much grease and grime accumumulates on glass and how hard it is to clean.

[Mike O.]

Have you looked at standard laminate trim bit without a bearing? Here's a bit that might work. It does not use a bearing but does have a pilot. It's a little hard to tell the actual height of the pilot but you might be able to call and ask.

many doors do you have to clean up? We've done this on occasion but with only one or two doors. Normally there is so little material behind the panels that on your straight sides you can score the back and pretty much snap the pieces off. A little chisel work where the stiles run past the rails is about all that's needed. Since you have arched tops the arch might be a little tricky but I would think a chisel would still get you there. Of course if I had more than a couple of doors to do I would be looking for a bit too.

Mike O.

[Resident]

The slots are really 5/8" deep and the tongues fit in ~3/8". There were

1/4" spacer balls in the bottom of the grooves on all 4 sides

That's a good one!

[Artemus]

fit in the slot.

1. The first one is partly done. I used a pattern bit and a guide rail to get close, then rabbet planes and chisels to complete the sides and bottom. Your suggested bit will make this a lot easier. I'm thinking of squaring up the top arch on the inside as it will make the glass rectangular and maybe less expensive. I need to check with the glass shop tomorrow. In any event you've pointed me at what I needed. Thanks. Art

[Artemus]

Resident? I don't know what happened here. I've been having computer problems lately. Art

[Steve knight]

amana makes one. I just bought a 1/4" flush trim but. it looks like about 3/4" cut on it but I have not measured it.

looks like 1" cost me

19.99