Idaho Andy Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'm looking at upgrading to a Whiteside Spiral Pattern BIt and choked a bit when I saw the price of $164... not a huge issue, but I figured with all the collective experience in the forum, I'd ask if there were other options that might be worth considering. The bit I'm looking at is a compression spiral, 7/8 dia and 1 1/8 deep. With the bearing on the bottom(in a table) my thought was I could run the pattern and with stock thicker than 1 1/8, still be able to run the bit up for an additional pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 looks like a good bit Andy, should be great for pattern routing and end grain work, you might want to check out the bit from William Ng woodworking, Big Daddy Pattern Bit, spiral bit, 2" cutting length, $145.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Whiteside makes the " Big Daddy " bit for William Ng. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Check with Southeast Tool company, I don't know if they carry what you look for, but I buy all of my spiral bits from them. They are comparable in quality with Whiteside and a whole lot cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idaho Andy Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Thanks to both of you!!! Time to look up the Big Daddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treeslayer Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 1 minute ago, Idaho Andy said: Thanks to both of you!!! Time to look up the Big Daddy check Highland Woodworking also, same bit for $154.00 4 minutes ago, wdwerker said: Whiteside makes the " Big Daddy " bit for William Ng. can't find it on the Whiteside website Steve, they make it just for Wm Ng? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Yep ! Can't buy it from anyone else I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idaho Andy Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 For $145 with 2 inches of cut, looks pretty sweet... thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuxleyWood Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 3 hours ago, Just Bob said: Check with Southeast Tool company, I don't know if they carry what you look for, but I buy all of my spiral bits from them. They are comparable in quality with Whiteside and a whole lot cheaper. Southeast Tool just introduced a spiral compression bit like the Whiteside Ultimate recently, it usually runs 30-40 bucks cheaper than the Whiteside. I haven't tried one yet since I do most of my pattern routing with a Byrd head on the shaper and only use the compression bits when curves in the pattern are too small for the 4" head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 The Big Daddy is cobalt as opposed to carbide so there could be some material cost in there but, a compression bit is a more complex grind and this translates to a higher price. Either bit seems appropriately priced for what they are as painful as that may be ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post estesbubba Posted February 22, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I'm wondering if there are any reasons not to just get the double-bearing Whiteside? I guess if you're a production shop and only use it for one thing then top or bottom bearing makes sense. For a hobby guy I think the double-bearing is the way to go unless am I missing something? BTW $139 here using 'wn15' and free shipping. https://www.hartvilletool.com/product/5847/up-down-compression-spiral-router-bits 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 This is worth watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I saw the same thing http://e.woodpeck.com/t/l?ssid=34643&subscriber_id=arwonudnmywdramkmbpvvisbmwfbbcl&delivery_id=apzmhittjxyscrafcdbihpmowbtmbii&td=__pNRXBjaB95Puv333xFMg2SJRWYUvzecjsmpgDCBLkG9wxSf5ZDqjFhjBB3-ZZ_4OgQmKiz0MHBrm3iYtTxmpkHtHTExUcXmERkM26lYp-eTSE8XjELvsYVjiNdvwck1qb2o8RApq26aYHghewqMCcIu8Icf7oZzSbOYeVQZvkC2XvNRUf7FTYKPW35eA5IzxknEI2pVtx9P_iy_ENsGUrko1W949FLpMjtz2D7s9UvHXmPcSlDiJ4w4ZO9u1KojvVegjV5_12pQ The only drawback to the top and bottom bearing bit is you might not be able to cut a rebate or dado with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I was referring to making a cut with the top bearing removed. Most of the time a bearing that size has a post it fits over not just a bolt in contact with the inside of the bearing . Shouldnt be an issue when pattern routing . The jig in the video is how I do those cuts. Bessey auto adjust toggle clamps are awesome ! I just move mine around from jig to jig. I usually use 6 -1 1/4 pocket screws to hold them firmly. You can adjust the pressure they apply and then the thickness doesn't matter. Same pressure on 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick stock. Regular toggle clamps are a pain to adjust ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 1 hour ago, Mike. said: @ben_r_I have the whiteside bit - it is awesome. It comes as top and bottom bearing, but you can remove the bottom bearing, giving you more flexibility. I don't think the William Ng bit has a bottom bearing The Ng bit doesn't have a top bearing. I agree that the top and bottom bearing on the Whiteside bit does make it more flexible, but IMO that's where the advantages end. If we're talking about the same bit, the Ng bit has a larger diameter which means it stays cooler which means it stays sharp longer. Also I believe it has a more severe shear angle which means a cleaner cut. Also because it doesn't have a top bearing you can pattern route thicker stock. I think the Byrd on a shaper would be the ultimate set-up...short of that I'll stick with the Ng bit. I'd like to have the Whiteside also just for the top/bottom versatility, but if I had to have just one it would be the Big Daddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idaho Andy Posted February 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 5 hours ago, Mike. said: My opinion is that the whiteside bit is good enough and if you don't like my opinion, keep it to yourself because this is my safe space No worries Mike... I'll certainly honor your safe space!!! Thanks to all for the input... the nice thing about the forum is that there are lots of opinions and thoughts that can be considered... Mike, I tend to agree that either bit will be more than acceptable. ... thanks again! 7 hours ago, Llama said: This is worth watching. Llama... thanks for the post.... good video Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 I always wondered how long that Big Daddy lasts before it needs sharpening. I would think the Carbide would last many times longer. Whiteside is a great company that makes the best possible quality. They're a pleasure to deal with too. They have made custom bits for me in the past, and I get really quick turnaround on sharpening. I recently sent Todd some drawings and wooden samples I'd made for custom bits I need for a particular job. He called me back, and said they no longer can make single bits because they are too busy, and only do minimum runs of six bits each. He had already boxed up what I sent him, and sent them to another company that they do business with-HIckory Saw and Tool. I'm just now talking to Hickory about exactly what I want, but I considered it especially nice of Whiteside to not just send me away. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuxleyWood Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Hickory Saw and Tool makes great tooling, every bit the quality of Whiteside, it shouldn't be lost on anyone that Hickory, Whiteside and Southeast are all within shouting distance of each other in what used to be the epicenter of US furniture making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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