Ball Bearing Router Bits

this bit are ok for if you dont have alot of carving to do. They work great at first but become dull quickly. Especially in hardwood

Good bits and bearings, cut precisely and quickly.

These are the best routing bits I have in my shop. They slice out pickup cavaties with maximum precision. I just wish the shanks were longer for cutting body shapes along a template.

Ces la première fois que je les utilisent et ça ses très bien passer, je n'ai pas ruiner mon gabarit et la coupe est très net et 1/2 pouce de long ces super car je ne suis pas obliger de mètre un shime super épais ce que j'aurais été obliger de faire avec un couteau de 1 pouce d'une autre compagnie. Avec ces couteau je suis plus près de la surface a travailler a cause de ça logueur et avec trois bearings je suis sûre d'avoir un bon contact avec mon gabarit. Super. Daniel G Luthier

If you are using the Stew Mac templates
these are the only bits available that can be used. Off the shelf bits are too long and make too deep a cut. They are on the expensive side though.

No complaints here. I didn't fancy the plastic tube method of fixing the bearing ring, so I bought an extra ring which works fine

Generally cut well but I wasn't too happy with the plastic sleeve idea. I then purchased enough bearings to completely cover the shank on both the 1/2" and 3/8" bits. I think this is the only way to use them when using a template. For adjusting the bearing position I found the easiest way was to remove the static bearing from an alternative make of bit that holds the bearing in place using an allen screw in an undersized bearing and sharing it between all my 1/4" shaft bits. In the UK I haven't found a 1/2" deep cutter, they are all around 25 mm so too deep for some of the routing required.So the SM bit is the right size but maybe could do with a 'keeper' bearing not a plastic tube?

I'm glad Stewmac is including the bearings now. Mine came whithout it, and it's just a mess all over.

I had 2 of these bearings come apart on me, within a few seconds on the very first cavity routing job, despite light side pressure, and oiling the bearing. Only 1 of 3 have survived-despite identical technique. Overall, I am not happy with this product.

I use this router bit in multiple places - Pickup Cavities, Neck Pockets, and pre routing for hand carved pieces when removing material in a small area is required. I have never had a problem with this bit or its bearings. I do not use the plastic tube as a bought enough bearings to stack the whole shank. This also reduces pressure on the individual bearings which has probably prolonged their life.

I guess when it comes to tools I do take care of my more sensitive pieces. I tend to be a perfectionist and know when to use finesse as opposed to brute force. I will definitely purchase the bit and bearings again.