Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey Gang:

I am going to be receiving my binding jig from Craig Holden in a couple of weeks, and need to get a bit/bearing set. StewMac has one for around $85.00 with eight bearings - LMI has one for $144.00 with ten bearings - and one of our sponsors, Luthier Suppliers, has one for $150.00 with a boatload of bearings, unfortunately, they are backordered until the end of April.

So... What to do? Have two boxes waiting for binding, and will have two more done by the time the jig arrives. Do I wait, or should I just go ahead and get one of the others, and if so, which one?

I make Dreads, some with Herringbone purfling, some without, if that makes a difference.

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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Mark,
I don't think I'll be able to get those bit/bearing sets anymore. So I'd go with the LMI one. I like the ability to be able to get really close to the binding ledge, and by just swapping out the bearing it makes it really easy. However, if you will be using just one size of binding always, and the same purfling scheme always, then you could go with the Stew-mac kit.

Also, the good thing about the LMI kit is that you can just get the set with the 10 bearings, and if you find that you need another bearing, you can just order that one bearing from LMI. But 10 should be enough to get you started. If I ever start carrying them again, you will be able to mix and match the bearings from LMI with my cutter. Good luck!
Tracy

Bummer Tracy! I was hoping to order a set some day from you. Rats.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Tracy, will the LMI bearings work with the set I bought from you last year?

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Thanks guys!

Knew I could get options AND answers here!

Tracy: Sorry you can't get those anymore - looks like a great set!

Thanks for the tip Hesh! - I do indeed have that binding tape.

I take it the StewMac - LMI bearings are not interchagable?

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
OR
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I use the stewmac bit and bearings set. It does a good job, now only if someone would do the same thing with a downcut bit they would have the ultimate binding cutter.

Al

Dave,
Yes, the LMI bearings will work with the cutter you bought from me. Good luck!
Tracy

Tracy, thanks for the info. I certainly don't need any right now, but was thinking about if I ever needed a replacement.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I have both sets. I prefer the LMI set, simply because it has more bearing sizes... both are nice though.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

So, Tracy, if the time comes that I need a new router bit (not bearings), and you don't have any, I'm safe with LMI's bit?

What's the ID size of the Stew Mac and LMI bearings?
I have several Rabbet bits. All I need is the right size bearings.

Mattia,
That is correct, you will be okay using LMI's bit with my bearings. I have both sets, so I know it works.

Jimmie,
I'll try to measure the ID of the bearing and report back this afternoon.
Tracy

Jimmie,
Looks like the ID of the bearing is .290". If I really press tight with my caliper around the post that the bearing rests on, I can get it down to .285". But I think .290 is more accurate. Also, make sure you are using a 1" diameter rabbet bit, or these bearings will not work so good. Good luck!
Tracy

Hesh, I used to use that trick with tape with a cmt rabbit bit but once had the tape come off, so double check everything really well and clean the surface of the bearing with a wipe or alcohol/acetone before putting the tape on.
It's a very good trick just double check to make sure everything was clean befor routing.
I now use LMI's bit and like it very much.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Tracy,

Thanks for the info. I have a couple of 1" rabbeting bits. I'll go measure them and see what I come up with.

Thanks Again