Official Luthiers Forum!

Anyone know of a reasonably priced source for 1/4" carbide bearing piloted flush trim bits? Downcut would be nice too.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

I use grizzly tools , As a machinist I don't buy into the down cut theory I like sharp. I throw the bits as soon as I see a sign of being dull . If you can buy down cut for the same price use them. Also here is another place
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... gle_anchor

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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

Do you mean this type, Andy? http://www.busybeetools.com/products/R% ... D4IN..html

Alex

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

Nice you sound like me hahaha

This is a great bit: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012JI88E
I heard about Whiteside from Filippo's posts, IIRC.
They also make a downshear bit for less $.

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David Malicky

Now that's what I'm talking about!

Thanks John!

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Do you mean 1/4" cutter or 1/4" shank? The ones that David linked to are the only 1/4" cutter bearing bits I've seen. You have to be gentle on those though. They are brittle.

For 1/2" cutter with 1/4" shank, I have one of the high end (purple) grizzly ones and it is definitely a step up in quality from their cheap ones. Sharper to begin with and stays sharp longer.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

I'm looking for 1/4" cutters. I usually buy the whitesides but at $35 each, they're very precious.

I use them for "freeing" sheet goods parts that I cut on my CNC machine using a 1/2" bit (or sometimes slightly undersized) so I need something that's small enough to fit in the slot. I free the parts on my router table. I usually only leave about a .1" onion skin so it doesn't put a huge load on the bit. $9/each sounds a heck of a lot nicer than $35/each.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Some examples:

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

I think Whiteside has moved their manufacturing to China. At least on some of their bits.

Edit: It looks like their router bits are still made in the USA, but they now have a line of Chinese made forstner drill bits and brad point bits. I hope this is not the direction they will go with all of their products.