A quirky problem with a router bit

[Prashun Patel]

I'm using a bullnose router bit to make beaded edges on some moulding.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_bull.html

The problem is the 'quirk' on the top edge is a little thick for my taste. I'd like to grind down the height of those cutters a bit. What is the easiest way to do this on a carbide tipped bit?

[Lee Schierer]

I'm not positive but I think you need special equipment to grind carbide. Carbide is extremely hard so special cutting stones are needed and as I recall the dust is hazardous. You will also need to insure that you don't upset the balance of the cutter. You might want to look at other brands to see if they have different dimensions for the top edge.

[Stephen Cherry]

It's hazardous also-
http://nj.gov/health/eoh/survweb/wra/documents/tc_bro.pdf

This is something that I think could be done, but it may be more trouble than it's worth. It may be better to find a bit that better fits your needs, pay a few dollars and have your bit modified, Or maybe go with a high speed steel bit.

[Jerrimy Snook]

I am not certain which edge you are calling top but, a beading bit may do what you desire. Otherwise, router bit styles vary from manufacturer to manufacturer you may be able to find one elsewhere that will work. Some modification to the bit is possible if you know what you are doing, have a diamond grinding wheel, and are able to regrind the appropriate clearances on the cutting edge. The biggest problem is to keep the carbide from fracturing. Another hindrance is the steel body which may or may not need to be modified to allow the new carbide detail to cut without burning.

[ian maybury]

These guys do a grinder i tripped over last week when digging about sharpening or honing cutters: http://www.universalsharpener.com/us550andattachments.html Looks like carbide needs a diamond wheel.

It might not be that hard to safely pull off with a shop set up (the cutter mounted in a drill chuck - it's not to hard to find diamond discs for a 4in angle grinder) if it's a square/straight cut.

If on the other hand you need to increase the diameter of the bull nose so that the width of the lands top and bottom reduce it might need a profiled wheel which if so would be a bit more complicated...

ian

[Robert LaPlaca]

I'm using a bullnose router bit to make beaded edges on some moulding.

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_bull.html

The problem is the 'quirk' on the top edge is a little thick for my taste. I'd like to grind down the height of those cutters a bit. What is the easiest way to do this on a carbide tipped bit?

A suggestion would be to use an edge beading bit like this;
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bit_edge.html, instead of the bullnose bit

[Prashun Patel]

Thanks, All. I am better off getting the right bit. The one Robert sites is perfect. Thanks.