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StewMac Binding Router Guide


LOVE StewMac and I'm sure there are those who find this tool useful but for me it was a TOTAL nightmare starting with NO height adjustment.

That's right, you have to unscrew the ENTIRE fixture, loosen the collett on the Dremel and hope you have moved the bit just the right amount and then screw the fixture back on then check again, and again. Then the routing is done mainly by feel and visually as any slight movement in the angle deepens the route.

The depth adjuster has so much play as to be useless and I grew to dread each new route.

Again more power and major props to those have had success with it but I will simply never consider using it again.

Any other crummy tools out there?

LarryH38768.8747106481

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Thank You and Best To All

Larry:
I have the same tool, and found it difficult to use as well, however,I developed a feel for the tool and it got better, but not good. I recently got one of their bearing and bit sets and use it with a laminate trimmer for much better results. My next upgrade will be a rig to keep the bit perpendicular to the sides. I just haven't decided which one I like best.

Al

One thing I've found very helpfull is a 'sacfifice board'. Some time back I bought a bunch of really cheap 'low grade' spruce tops off eBay. Ten tops for $4 each. I use them for all sorts of experiments, for setting up tools like the StewMac rosette cutter, practice joining, etc., cut offs make spruce glue clearing chisels. I join and layout the cheapy top identical to my good top, and setup on the cheapy before moving to the good top.
Also, I don't use the Dremel router, instead I use the Black & Decker RTX which is more powerfull and better made, and it fits the StewMac router jigs.

CrowDuckcrowduck38768.9093287037

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.