Please Suggest Uses for a “Pattern” Router Bit I Inadvertently Ordered

1694 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Eph610, Apr 30, 2022

Eph610

Discussion Starter · Apr 20, 2022

Hello,

I ordered this Freud® 50-098 Oversized Top Bearing Flush Trim Router Bit - 5/16" Dia x 1" H x 1/4" Shank router bit inadvertently. After I opened and tossed package I realized i made an error. i meant to order a bit with bearing and cutter with the same diameter. I am new to hobby woodworking. Many years from now, I may attempt to build my own furniture and drawers and cabinets etc.

The bearing is oversized at 1/2 inch and cutter is 5/16 diameter. it’s a 1/4 shank.

I already have bushing sets for my 1/2 and 1/4 routers so I’m struggling to think of ways this oversized bearing bit might become useful in future.

Thanks for any suggestions.

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John Smith_

· #2 · Apr 20, 2022

welcome to the forum, EPH.
you can take the bearing off and just keep it with the rest of your bits.
you can order a bearing the size of the cutting area. (or see if your Box Stores carry bearings).
you can just hang on to it - some people's wealth is measured by the amount of tools they have.

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Eph610

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 21, 2022

John Smith_ said:
welcome to the forum, EPH.
you can take the bearing off..

Thank you. I couldn’t find any bearing this thin to match the cutting diameter (5/16)

Btw, does anyone know what this bit and bearing set up it used for originally? I’ll have to take a note of it.

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old55

· #4 · Apr 22, 2022

Welcome to the forum @Eph610

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kp91

· #5 · Apr 23, 2022

You can 'sneak up' on a template using a bit with a larger bearing, then use a regular pattern bit for a final pass.

Might come in handy if you are making male/female templates

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TenGees

· #6 · Apr 24, 2022

Much like using guide bushings, you can make templates that allow for the difference between the bearing and the bit.

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Stokestack

· #7 · Apr 27, 2022

Of course the result will be an object that's slightly larger than the pattern, so if you wanted to scale a pattern up symmetrically this might be useful. You could even do it a couple of times, making patterns from patterns, to enlarge the contour even more.

Or maybe you want to make something with a surface that's the exact size of the pattern, but with a chamfered edge.

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markbdusted

· #8 · Apr 28, 2022

I think some dovetail templates us bits like that. As said previously it would be like using a guide bushing that is always centered.

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bfblack

· #9 · Apr 28, 2022

The offset (or overhang) in this bit/bearing combination is 3/32" [(1/2 - 5/16)/2]. This means that the template you are following must be 3/32" smaller than the finished dimension.

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GregLittleWoodworks

· #10 · Apr 30, 2022

I have accumulated a lot of router bits over the years...some as I needed them for a specific use and others as part of a set. One thing I have realized is that all of them eventually got used.

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Eph610

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 30, 2022

GregLittleWoodworks said:
all of them eventually got used.

I like that approach. 🙂👍

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