Template trim router cutter question

[bobtskutter]

Hello,
Please help me understand if I'm expecting too much (I'm a hobby wood worker).
I'm using a top guided 12.7mm straight flute cutter to trim away a lip from the edge of a piece of beech.
The board is 25mm thick, the lip is about 5mm x 8mm.
I removed most of the material with the track saw then used a trim cutter to remove the last 3mm.
It's left a very small amount of material behind, big enough for me to catch my fingernail on.
I was hoping to glue two of these modified boards together along the edge I've just tried to trim flush, but the tiny lip is going to get in the way.
The cutter is from a well known UK manufacturer, who I've just called and spoken to (very friendly).  Their opinion is it's the manufacturing tolerance of the cutter.
I measure the bearing diameter at 12.7mm and the cutter diameter as 12.5mm, so it seems there is a slight mismatch somewhere. 0.2mm isn't very much at all, but it's big enough to catch my nail on.
I bought two cutters at the same time, they're both the same.
Is what I'm seeing normal?

Thanks
Bob

 

[rmwarren]

Hello,
Please help me understand if I'm expecting too much (I'm a hobby wood worker).
I'm using a top guided 12.7mm straight flute cutter to trim away a lip from the edge of a piece of beech.
The board is 25mm thick, the lip is about 5mm x 8mm.
I removed most of the material with the track saw then used a trim cutter to remove the last 3mm.
It's left a very small amount of material behind, big enough for me to catch my fingernail on.
I was hoping to glue two of these modified boards together along the edge I've just tried to trim flush, but the tiny lip is going to get in the way.
The cutter is from a well known UK manufacturer, who I've just called and spoken to (very friendly).  Their opinion is it's the manufacturing tolerance of the cutter.
I measure the bearing diameter at 12.7mm and the cutter diameter as 12.5mm, so it seems there is a slight mismatch somewhere. 0.2mm isn't very much at all, but it's big enough to catch my nail on.
I bought two cutters at the same time, they're both the same.
Is what I'm seeing normal?

Thanks
Bob

Bob, it's not uncommon. for a glue-ready joint better to clamp a straightedge and run the router along it with the bit taking a little off the full thickness of the wood, that should work.

RMW

 

[tsmi243]

Some do, some don't.  Try another brand.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

It is fairly common, with both top and bottom bearing type bits. (Flush trim and pattern)
It depends to some degree on the particular brand. My real issue with these is that they cannot be sharpened. Well, they can, but it's useless. They are no longer flush, even if they were in the first place. Many hobby woodworkers don't care about that factor, because they never consider sharpening anyway.
Either way, I use Amana insert-style bits for this purpose. They are effectively "lifetime" bits with an insert change that costs less than $10. Plus, there are 2 edges to each insert. Depending on how rough you are with a tool, you might need to replace the bearing once in a while too, also cheap.
 

 

[bobtskutter]

All, thank you for the replies and advise.  The company I bought the cutters from have their own range of replaceable blade cutters.  They recommended I try them. I was thinking about getting one of that type of bit, this gives me a reason  [big grin]
Thanks every one,
Regards bob

 

[wwb119]

Hi Bob -  My Whiteside #3002 bit bearing diameter is 12.68mm, cutting diameter is 12.60mm.  I've had good experience with W/S bits.  Cheers...

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Hi Bob -  My Whiteside #3002 bit bearing diameter is 12.68mm, cutting diameter is 12.60mm.  I've had good experience with W/S bits.  Cheers...

Yes, I have always had good service from Whiteside, along with Amana and Infinity.
Also, the green ones from Lee Valley, it must be some kind of "house brand"? I have no Idea who actually makes them, but they work well too. I buy them for the 8mm shanks.