Fairchild Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 Hey everyone. I’m wondering if I can use a 1/2” long flush trim bit on a 2” thick workpiece. It seems that the bearing could ride along my template and trim the top 1/2” of the workpiece, and then I could lower the bit in my router table and have the bearing use the freshly trimmed workpiece as a guide for the bearing. It seems like I should be able to flush trim the entire workpiece this way, in multiple passes. Is this recommended, or is there a reason that I shouldn’t do it this way? I’m pretty new to woodworking and I don’t have a lot of money, so I’m really trying to avoid buying a longer bit unless I really have to, just to save money. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 Should work fine as long as the shank of the bit is long enough to cover the whole width. You may get some runout the farther down you go. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 What Mick said. Take care not to extend the bit too far out of the collet, it could go flying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 That is a technique i use frequently. I'll make a pass transferring the template to the work piece and then remove the template to get some added depth after establishing the first cut. It will require some sanding to make things perfect but if you have good bits it will come out really close. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted February 6, 2021 Report Share Posted February 6, 2021 Removing as much of the waste as you can on your table or bandsaw would be a plus. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainjer Posted February 7, 2021 Report Share Posted February 7, 2021 I would buy a longer flush trim bit to do it in less passes. Also if possible use a 1/2" shank bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairchild Posted February 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 Thanks everyone! Worked like a charm. Although I did get a bit nervous about how far I had to extend the bit out of the collet, as wtnhighlander mentioned. Is there a rule of thumb for how far out it should extend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 46 minutes ago, Fairchild said: Thanks everyone! Worked like a charm. Although I did get a bit nervous about how far I had to extend the bit out of the collet, as wtnhighlander mentioned. Is there a rule of thumb for how far out it should extend? Yes. The shank should be into the collet at least ⅔ of the length of the collet. That doesn’t usually give you much play, but if you pull it out too far you’ll spring the collet when you tighten it down. Once it’s sprung, it will never hold properly again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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