Bottom Bearing 1/8" Roundover Router Bit that projects less than 1/2"

[Tony Haukap]

Because they say a picture is worth a thousand words...
http://i60.tinypic.com/34t4ewp.jpg_http://i61.tinypic.com/2gy2g5t.jpg
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That's a Freud brand router bit.
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Often times I have the need to put a 1/8" roundover on 1/2" thick material and, as you can see from the photographs above, the screw holding the bearing on makes the router bit project down from the base about 5/8" overall. For a lot of stuff like this I like to route directly on top of a non-slip mat, but that doesn't work in this case.
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My usual method involves putting something under the 1/2" material to raise it up off the surface or hanging it off the edge of the table. Both methods require clamping, which isn't idea and usually takes longer to position the clamps in just the right place not to interfere than the actual routing! But, I got thinking that maybe someone makes a bottom bearing router bit with with a countersunk hold-on screw? Or maybe there's some better method?
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Well, I guess doing it on the router table would solve the problem... but, I like having a number of routers already setup with dedicated bits for various purposes (ie. round overs, chamfering, flush cutting) that I can grab-and-go without needing to mess around with setting it up each time.

[Rick Potter]

Don't fight it, the table is the way to go. I have the same multiple setups, Tony. I am thinking about putting several of them on a table, so I can have multiple router table setups for the simple stuff that uses bearings. I figure I can get between four and six of the cheapie used routers I have been collecting on one table. I know I will rarely need to use a hand held for these quickie edges.

My secondary plan is to make identical router bases that fit in a benchtop table. Pop one out, insert another and go. I have 6 (I think) identical B&D cheap routers I could use in one benchtop router table, pop out, pop in. Then I could even use a fence if needed, and the routers could be used for hand held also. Right now those routers have flush trim, laminate trim, two roundovers, and two are not being used at the moment.

Maybe I am crazy.....but I have less than $100 in all of them. I also have two real router tables with 7518's in them.

Rick P

[Max Neu]

Typically I use a shaper for stuff like that, but occasionally I use the bench cookies if I just have a small piece to do, and feel to lazy to set up the shaper.

[glenn bradley]

Rockler and others sell brass pilot or small scale bits.

http://www.rockler.com/rockler-miniature-round-over-router-bits-1-4-in-shank

[pat warner]

Cutters are expendable; so cheap today that they're not worth a re-grind.
To get you a little less extension:
Loctite the screw. Then grind 80% of the head off.
Might buy you an 1/8th".

[Bill McNiel]

Tony - I've had the same issues with bearings for years. Kinda like Pat's idea, think I'll give it a try.

[Peter Quinn]

Cutters are expendable; so cheap today that they're not worth a re-grind.
To get you a little less extension:
Loctite the screw. Then grind 80% of the head off.
Might buy you an 1/8th".

I have done this more than a few times. I know they make the screws you seek, they also make bearings with a recess to accept a flat hex cap screw that gives you a bottom flush to the bearing, I have a bottom bearing slot cutter that comes that way for retrofitting weather strip grooves, but I can't find a source for such a set up as an aftermarket purchase. My ideal solution? Two vacuum clamps, problem solved. Holds the work down to a bench, gives you bearing clearance, very versatile.

[Michael Liechty]

change the socket head screw out for a button head

ML

[Mort Stevens]

That's a Freud brand router bit. Often
times I have the need to put a 1/8" roundover on....[/indent]

Looks like it has never touched wood before! Is it new or do you have
some method of cleaning you can share? I can never get my bits or
router that clean even using compressed air after each use.

[Yonak Hawkins]

There are shallower bearings. Here are some that are 1/8" : http://www.toolstoday.com/p-5193-steel-ball-bearing-guides-fractional.aspx?variantids=5557,0&affiliateid=10054?source=googleproducts&gdftrk=gdfV22404_a_7c1444_a_7c6865_a_7c47702&gclid=CjwKEAjwgMieBRCB3bqB94e9lD4SJABW3sTNIE9uXgYJ Z7j-sPGqkpkVuzPqmFdNphkPQfjF1ChYGhoCWzTw_wcB

[Jerome Stanek]

bench cookies work to keep your material up off the table and they hold pretty good

[glenn bradley]

bench cookies work to keep your material up off the table and they hold pretty good
Jerome hit on my first reaction but, you said you liked to use a mat. I know that I have developed some habits in my methods of work and just stick to them without thinking. Maybe elevating the work is a better idea than modifying/replacing the cutter.

[Tony Haukap]

Looks like it has never touched wood before!
http://i58.tinypic.com/2s7xdhc.gif
I'm a founding member of the "buy a bit, buy a router" club! :)
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Yeah, it's a brand new bit and brand new router too.
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[Tony Haukap]

Don't fight it, the table is the way to go.M
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I like the idea of being able to pop routers in/out of a table... trouble is I have 2 Porter-Cable's #310, 2 DeWalt DWP611, 1 Bosch Colt and 2 of DeWalt's new DWE6000 laminate trimmers that I purchased just this week. I would need to find a way to make a baseplate design that I can use on all the different routers I already have.
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Now, laminate trimmers aren't so expensive that I couldn't just buy about 6 of them of the same model to match... I already have 2, and they're only about $100 bucks each, so it's not going to break the bank by any means. And if it means simplifying things I'm all for that.
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Maybe I'll make a small router table that I can clamp to a bench top... this is turning into a much larger project than I intended, but... I like it! :) I'm going to have to think about this.
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[Tom M King]

I keep various sizes of small roundovers on small routers (laminate trimmers). One hand holds the router and the other handles the workpiece, unless of course it's something small enough to need to be clamped, so that way a thin edge just gets hung off the side of whatever it's being held on top of.

[Mort Stevens]

laminate trimmers aren't so expensive that I couldn't just buy about 6 of them

It's not really practical unless you're in a professional production shop. For a home hobby shop changing bits really is no big deal. After all, what are you really saving? 3-5 minutes? It takes a lot of those 3-5 minutes to equal the cost of even one trim router, let along 6! Then there is storage for the additional routers, if your shop is anything like mine you don't have unlimited space. For me it's easier to have one router in a table and change bits as needed.

[Tony Haukap]

Who said anything about it being "practical?" :)
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Well, the way I see it is router bits are about $30 bucks each and that's about 1/3 the price of one of these laminate trimmers... I don't really see it as being out of reach for a hobbyist to have a number of routers for a handful of common used router bits. 1/8" & 1/4" roundover, 45-degree chamfer and flush trimming cover probably 75% of what I use a router for... excluding dovertails.
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Since for me woodworking is just a hobby, I don't have to justify costs... plus, I don't think that there's no way you ever could... especially when you figure you can usually buy what you're making for less than what the wood costs you!
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And it's not so much that I'm trying to save time it's much more about convenience and, I understand that... it's not really a "need," but a "want." But, there's also a level of accuracy that you can't achieve if you're swapping bits all the time... for example I have a couple of routers dedicated to cutting dovetails... I would never think of touching them once I got the perfect fit I wanted. if I had to stop and change router bits each time and set them up every time I would think twice before reaching for a router.
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So, yeah, I guess it's not very practical if you trying to amortize your tool costs, but it sure makes woodworking fun and when you get to the bottom line isn't that what a hobby should be about?! And let's not forget; "He Who Dies With the Most Tools Wins"
http://www.lacybella.com/MM-103.jpg ;)
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[glenn bradley]

There's a great picture that Darrell Peart used to have on his website (since changed). It was a section of work surface. Along the back of the work surface was a raised shelf in which sat a half a dozen routers or so, each fitted for a specific profile.