Other than the obvious (one moves, one doesn't), what are the
differences between router bits with a solid pilot and those with a
bearing? For instance, are they meant to be used at different speeds or
for cutting different materials perhaps? The reason I ask is that I
have a 1/4" round over bit with a solid pilot, and I can't figure out
for the life of me how to not burn and/or gouge the wood I am trying to
shape. I tried covering the area that the pilot rides on with tape, but
that just made a gooey mess in addition to burning and gouging.
-John
Thanks to everyone for the quick replys. I've already purchased a bit
with a bearing, and it works great. The burning I was experiencing was
just from the pilot - I think my feed speed was fast enough.
So from what I gather, there is no advantage whatsoever to the solid
pilot bits? Also, just a quick question regarding the use of vaseline
(or any other lubricant, I suppose) to avoid buring at the pilot - how
would you get it (the lubricant) off something particularly porous such
as oak?
-John
"John Girouard" <JohnGirouard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1097099843.499370.169280@k17g2000odb.googlegroups.com...
> Other than the obvious (one moves, one doesn't), what are the
> differences between router bits with a solid pilot and those with a
> bearing? For instance, are they meant to be used at different speeds or
> for cutting different materials perhaps? The reason I ask is that I
> have a 1/4" round over bit with a solid pilot, and I can't figure out
> for the life of me how to not burn and/or gouge the wood I am trying to
> shape. I tried covering the area that the pilot rides on with tape, but
> that just made a gooey mess in addition to burning and gouging.
Try vaseline. I've used the solid bits but don't really care for them
(mostly because I have to use vaseline and it's messy). I prefer the
bearing trimmers with a cuppla layers of masking tape to prevent burn
through. YMMV.
SH
"John Girouard" <JohnGirouard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1097156774.339780.187270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks to everyone for the quick replys. I've already purchased a bit
> with a bearing, and it works great. The burning I was experiencing was
> just from the pilot - I think my feed speed was fast enough.
>
> So from what I gather, there is no advantage whatsoever to the solid
> pilot bits? Also, just a quick question regarding the use of vaseline
> (or any other lubricant, I suppose) to avoid buring at the pilot - how
> would you get it (the lubricant) off something particularly porous such
> as oak?
Mineral spirits.
SH
> Other than the obvious (one moves, one doesn't), what are the
> differences between router bits with a solid pilot and those with a
> bearing? For instance, are they meant to be used at different speeds or
> for cutting different materials perhaps?
As far as I know solid pilot bits are more for use in trimming laminates or
plastics. Regardless of what material you're working with you need to
provide some sort of lubricant to prevent material burning.
John wrote:>Other than the obvious (one moves, one doesn't), what are the
>differences between router bits with a solid pilot and those with a
>bearing? For instance, are they meant to be used at different speeds or
>for cutting different materials perhaps? The reason I ask is that I
>have a 1/4" round over bit with a solid pilot, and I can't figure out
>for the life of me how to not burn and/or gouge the wood I am trying to
>shape. I tried covering the area that the pilot rides on with tape, but
>that just made a gooey mess in addition to burning and gouging.
>
>
>
>
You might try increasing your feed speed when using such a small bit and solid
pilot. Tom
Work at your leisure!
"John Girouard" <JohnGirouard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1097156774.339780.187270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks to everyone for the quick replys. I've already purchased a bit
> with a bearing, and it works great. The burning I was experiencing was
> just from the pilot - I think my feed speed was fast enough.
>
> So from what I gather, there is no advantage whatsoever to the solid
> pilot bits? Also, just a quick question regarding the use of vaseline
> (or any other lubricant, I suppose) to avoid buring at the pilot - how
> would you get it (the lubricant) off something particularly porous such
> as oak?
Actually the smaller fixed pilot bearing does have its place. I have a 3/16
radius round over with a 1/8" fixed pilot and it works just fine. The
diameter is small enough that it does not burn the wood when used with a
light touch and decent feed rate. The advantage to a smaller pilot is that
you can get in to tighter areas.
In article <1097099843.499370.169280@k17g2000odb.googlegroups.com>, "John Girouard" <JohnGirouard@gmail.com> wrote:
>Other than the obvious (one moves, one doesn't), what are the
>differences between router bits with a solid pilot and those with a
>bearing? For instance, are they meant to be used at different speeds or
>for cutting different materials perhaps?
The ones with solid pilots are for use in projects where you don't really care
about the final appearance, because they gouge and burn. The ones with
bearing-guided pilots are for everything else. :-)
>The reason I ask is that I
>have a 1/4" round over bit with a solid pilot, and I can't figure out
>for the life of me how to not burn and/or gouge the wood I am trying to
>shape.
You can't. Not with that bit, anyway. You need one with a bearing.
>I tried covering the area that the pilot rides on with tape, but
>that just made a gooey mess in addition to burning and gouging.
Yep, they'll do that.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)
Get a copy of my NEW AND IMPROVED TrollFilter for NewsProxy/Nfilter
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You must use your REAL email address to get a response.
On 7 Oct 2004 06:46:14 -0700, "John Girouard" <JohnGirouard@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Thanks to everyone for the quick replys. I've already purchased a bit
>with a bearing, and it works great. The burning I was experiencing was
>just from the pilot - I think my feed speed was fast enough.
>
>So from what I gather, there is no advantage whatsoever to the solid
>pilot bits?
not quite true.
there are some pattern and edge treatment bits that use solid bearings
to make possible very small diameter pilots. typically they are only
used for inside corners and tight curves. you'd likely have the same
profile in a larger diameter bit in another router and switch back and
forth.
> Also, just a quick question regarding the use of vaseline
>(or any other lubricant, I suppose) to avoid buring at the pilot - how
>would you get it (the lubricant) off something particularly porous such
>as oak?
>
>-John
probably you don't. static bearings work fine with lubricant (I use
paste wax) for trimming formica type laminates, but raw wood will just
soak up something like vaseline.
"John Girouard" <JohnGirouard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1097099843.499370.169280@k17g2000odb.googlegroups.com...
> Other than the obvious (one moves, one doesn't), what are the
> differences between router bits with a solid pilot and those with a
> bearing? For instance, are they meant to be used at different speeds or
> for cutting different materials perhaps? The reason I ask is that I
> have a 1/4" round over bit with a solid pilot, and I can't figure out
> for the life of me how to not burn and/or gouge the wood I am trying to
> shape. I tried covering the area that the pilot rides on with tape, but
> that just made a gooey mess in addition to burning and gouging.
>
> -John
Does the burning happen at the pilot bearing? If so, get the one with the
bearing pilot. Its purpose is to roll along the edge rather than spin
against the edge. Neither type bearing will reduce burning where the cut
is.