> Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for router guide bushings,
Another thing to consider is the hardness of the material - brass is
softer than steel, so it should do less damage to a bit or blade if one
were to somehow hit the guide. Seems unlikely, but just in case?
Andy
PC brand steel for this wood/metal worker.
If cut to PC specs, the numbers are a little tighter. Have seen too
many brass out of spec, especially flange O.D.
Do they loosen? Have not had that happen, I use the pliers at the
http://www.patwarner.com/images/sundries3.jpg pix link tho.
Brass, indeed, is more fragile.
http://www.patwarner.com/ (Routers)
chuck wrote:
> Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
> router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
> stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
I've never bent a brass guide. They slide easier on dovetail and
staircase templates. They polish up like new after a couple of years of
job-site use. My steel guides are somewhere out in the shop with white
and rusty corrosion all over them. I'd give them away if I could find
them.
Most importantly, when you push that 1/4" bit too hard, you will see no
sparks with brass.
Tom in KY, I know exactly where my brass guides are.
"LRod" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Two, brass nut will hold its grip when hand tightened. It's a
> phenomenon of the material which I have not seen a good explanation
> for, although several friends who have metallurgy experience confirm
> the characteristic.
The term is "stiction", a contraction of "static friction".
"chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
> router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
> stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
>
> Are the various offerings of PC-compatible bushings of comparable quality?
Brass operate, tighten, and loosen much more smoothly.
Thanks to all for your thoughts. I had been leaning toward the brass and
there seem to be no show-stopping problems among users so I will pick up
a set of them.
Chuck
LRod wrote:
> On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:27:06 GMT, chuck <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
>>router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
>>stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
>>
>>Are the various offerings of PC-compatible bushings of comparable quality?
>
>
> Before getting caught up in any "router expert" war on
> recommendations, my post regarding brass was based on what I learned
> from watching Bob Rosendahl on PBS' "The Router Workshop."
>
>
Mine are from PC and are made of aluminum. Bending and distorting them has
not been a problem, for me, they only move easily in the dovetail jig.
Don Dando
"chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
> router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
> stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
>
> Are the various offerings of PC-compatible bushings of comparable quality?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Chuck
On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:27:06 GMT, chuck <[email protected]> wrote:
>Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
>router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
>stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
>
>Are the various offerings of PC-compatible bushings of comparable quality?
Brass, for two reasons--one related to the other.
One, brass will not damage your router bits when (not if) they come in
contact when the nut loosens (as it will if steel--see next);
Two, brass nut will hold its grip when hand tightened. It's a
phenomenon of the material which I have not seen a good explanation
for, although several friends who have metallurgy experience confirm
the characteristic.
I bought mine from Jesada, back when Carlo was running it and it was a
reliable company to do business with. Lee Valley has them, I believe.
They're worth looking for, in my opinion.
--
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997
email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.
On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:27:06 GMT, chuck <[email protected]> wrote:
>Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
>router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
>stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
>
>Are the various offerings of PC-compatible bushings of comparable quality?
Before getting caught up in any "router expert" war on
recommendations, my post regarding brass was based on what I learned
from watching Bob Rosendahl on PBS' "The Router Workshop."
--
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997
email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.
Chuck,
While this may not prove out scientifically, the brass guide bushings seem
to slide with less friction when I use them with aluminum straight edges and
corner templates (while doing solid surface materials). I have both steel
and brass guides of the same diameter and prefer the brass. I've not bent
either one, but these are not used in a commercial setting, so perhaps, my
shop is not a typical one.
Got the brass guide at woodcrafter and the steel one part of a Porter Cable
set.
"chuck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Are there any strong feelings in the group about choice of material for
> router guide bushings, other than the obvious: steel can rust but is
> stronger; brass looks nicer, and doesn't rust, but is more easily bent?
>
> Are the various offerings of PC-compatible bushings of comparable quality?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Chuck