rberry

I notice that the bushings offered by both Porter Cable and Bosch are made from some kind of bright metal (stainles steel?) while most made by independent marketers are made of brass. Which is better?

Bob

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bobj3

Hi Bob

This just my 2 cents

Brass is soft so to speak unlike steel one that's plated...if the bit hits the steel it's gone but if it hits the brass ,it's good chance the bit is OK..

You don't want anything like steel next to the bit, that's why you must take great care when you are switching out the bits, you don't want to kick one...and turn it into a paper weight....

One more point about brass guides, they will stay in place unlike the steel plated ones,,, the plating is like a lub job so to speak and when you have brass on brass they hold,,,,just like pipe fitting....they give just a bit and lock on...

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Bj

Hamlin

Hi,

You want to get brass guides.

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Ken

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rberry

Thanks bobj3 and Hamlin,

I just ordered the brass.

Mike

Brass is the best choice for most members. Steel bushings are best for rough construction and made to withstand more abuse.

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Mike

harrysin

I hate to disagree with learned members, but I have been routing since 1974 and whilst I do have a few brass guides the majority are mild steel and I have NEVER had any sort of problem, I am convinced that this thing with Brass is some sort of fetish.
Incidentally, having honed my routing skills at Template Tom's school of routing where there were mutiple's of every conceivable size and not a Brass one to be seen.

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Harry

Mike

Harry, the steel bushings you use attach with screws and are a very different item from the type we use with a threaded shaft and nut. Porter Cable which sets the world standard in routing manufactures steel bushings with the threaded shaft and nut. Experience has shown that the brass bushings do not vibrate loose the way the steel bushings do. This is the reason most aftermarket manufacturers produce brass. There is the added argument that it is safer to use around bits, we know steel can chip carbide where as brass can not. This is not to say one way is better than another. Bosch manufactures steel bushings which do not attach with the shaft and nut design so the vibration problem does not exist in their old style 2 screw system or the new quick release system. The market is driven by popular demand and since brass PC style bushings work better than the original steel bushings, fit more routers, are available in more sizes for less money you will see there are a number of reasons we recommend brass. The only bushings we do not recommend are the plastic bushings since they tend to flex and get trimmed by the bit causing failure. Steel bushings are the only answer for parts of the world and they do the job just fine. Perhaps you understand now this is not a fetish but just being practical for most members.

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Mike

harrysin

Mike, I know we shall never agree on this subject but just consider some of my routing projects in my gallery, in none of them could a cutter come into contact with the guide, please explain how this can occur, an odd picture or two would probably assist such explanation.

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Harry

Mike

The danger to bits is when changing them. It is easy to drop a bit against a metal edge. While I have never experienced this myself I can see the logic in it. We store our bits in such a way as to protect them from contacting other bits to prevent damage, and this is just another safeguard. This is the reason Bob and Rick sell brass set up bars instead of using steel... just another safeguard.

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Mike

harrysin

Brass set-up bars come into contact with the cutter so here there is no argument, so we shall continue to disagree on the guide question and just as a matter of interest, will everyone on the forum please recount stories of when and how many times they have damaged cutters on steel guides and how often steel nuts have worked loose whilst routing, who knows, I may have to change my mind, I'm always receptive to new ideas when a convincing argument is presented.

Perhaps some of the very many viewers of this forum will take this opportunity to prove me wrong by registering as a member, it is absolutely FREE of charge and gives you a voice. The occasional verbal disagreements between members, or even, as in this case a member and a senior moderator are all in good fun, we are generally a very pleasant bunch of guys and gals, yes we do have members of the fair sex, some who are very knowledgeable in woodworking and must be taken very seriously.

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Harry