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

On Feb 29, 8:16*pm, marc rosen wrote:
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

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."

"marc rosen" wrote in message
...
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


I'd use a bit with a bearing on the collet end. They are made for following
templates.
This type: http://www.infinitytools.com/products.asp?dept=1055

Also, you may already know this but just a pointer, mark with the
template first and trim the piece on the bandsaw or use a jig saw and
just do a light trim to the final shape with the router. The less you
are cutting with the router generally the easier\smoother the cut.

On Feb 29, 6:16*pm, marc rosen wrote:
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

"marc rosen" wrote


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?

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

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
...
"marc rosen" wrote


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?

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.


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

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

"marc rosen" wrote in message
...
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.

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.