Isnt that just a very expensive way of doing the same job a bearing guided flush trim bit?
I think there are a few tasks where this would be a good choice, for example, copying a solid object. The bearing is so narrow that you'd have trouble making it run on the edge of the object, particularly if the object had a narrow edge...it would require that you make the whole cut in one pass, and you would have to mount the object an exact height to have the bearing run on the edge. You'd need a pretty long flush trim bit .
This device also allows you to work the bit up through the workpiece in shallow, multiple steps, even poke it up through the workpiece. Because the bit never touches the template, you can do things such as routing the interior of a letter. I can see that you could even make signs using this with wooden letters you might find at a crafts store. Just make a shallow plunge with a small cove or V bit with the lettering backwards. In some ways the method and tool is very similar to a CNC, except the workpiece moves, not the motor.
Note the extra pins that come with this, that's so you can match the diameter of the pin to the diameter of the bit. Small bits (1/4 inch) are not as strong and should be used only for shallow plunges. If I had one, I'd likely build a separate table so I didn't have to align it every single time. I think you could facilitate alignment with a right angle piece of hardwood. Push it against the bit and the same-size top pin And I'd dedicate a router to it for the same reason.
I can see this would be a great choice for certain applications But I'm not going to buy one. Beside all that, Veritas tools are precise and beautiful. Cost is $175, however, the Veritas product is no longer available.
A search showed a less elegant version, the Daisy Pin Router Attachment, $50 for a kit at
Best Sellers - Daisy Pin Router Attachment Packages They have a selection of sizes of spiral bits as well, which are NOT cheap.
This has run a little long, but it was very interesting tool and method.
I'd love to see what
@OutoftheWoodwork would do with this thing.