Source for long flush trim bits??

[flip]

I am looking for a source for long flush trim/pattern bit (cutter at least 4") with a 1/2" shank with a top bearing.  I'll be chucking it up in the shaper cutting mostly cabinet grade birch ply that will be veneered.  We are  going to be making some legs and cutting off a pattern.  I have been looking around with no luck.  Since I know the people here are some of the most intelligent people on the face of the earth I thought one of you would be able to point me in the correct direction.

[woodhick]

Are you talking 4" overall or 4" cutting length?   some places to try are:
Eagle America
Woodcraft
Ballew Saw and Tool

[Texas Ranger]

Grizzly?

[flip]

4" cutting capacity.

Nix on the Griz and AE.  Thanks though.

Hope we don't have to have them custom made. :(

[woodhick]

dont think  you'll find one with a 4" cutting length. Too weak.  May go to a shaper cutter.  Ballew will custom make, so give them a call.

[Larry]

Maximum cut with 1/2" pattern bits with a bearing is around 2".  Straight bit without a bearing you can find a few around 2-1/2".  You can find 1/2" end mills that can cut in the 3 to 4" range...sometimes.

As woodhick stated the 1/2" bits, cutting 4" are too weak.  I can back him up with first hand experience, as I've broken bits cutting a lot less.  If you're thinking long runs for production, I would give Byrd a call for shelix shaper tooling with a bottom bearing.  Short runs you can cut close to the line with a bandsaw and clean up quite quick with a random orbit sander.

[flip]

They will be short runs but being used in VERY high end stuff.  Materials are cheap but everything has to be close to exact.  I saw the helix heads in the Griz book , was looking for a more, ahem cough cough, economical solution.

[Larry]

I'm sorry flip, what I meant to say was ossicilating spindle sander.

[pigman]

flip, I have cut  2'' material with 1 1/2" pattern bits. After the first pass, lower the bit and use the material as the pattern. That is, if the bearing is on the top. If the bearing and pattern is on the bottom, raise the bit after the first pass. With a 2'' bit, you might be able to do 4'" material. The ply might not be smooth enough for a rub surface after the first pass.


Bob

[flip]

You must be using a bit with a bottom bearing.  Hadn't considered that, this is why I ask here, ya'lls the bestest.

[Don_Papenburg]

I got a spiral cutter head for my shaper from grizz it is about 2+  " in dia. and fits the 3/4  spindle . has a pattern bearing that can be mounted top or bottom. I only got the 3" tall one .
I had a couple of 2.5 inch long 1/2"straight cutters  from porter cable but they had no bearing . You could use a pattern collar and make your patern slightly smaller.
A top bearing will make a weak tool . If you could find a bottom bearing bit that would be better.

[low_48]

I've never been happy running any router bits in a shaper except for raised panel bits. It's tough getting a shaper to turn above 10,000 RPM and that is still way too slow for router bits.
I would get a 2" tall shaper cutter with a bearing on the bottom. Run the bearing on the pattern for the first cut. Raise the arbor and run the bearing on the leg for the second or third cut if needed. Much faster, much safer. I looked at MLCS and you can get the cutter for $45 and the bearing for around $25. That is for a 3/4" shaft, don't know what size shaper you have.

[IMERC]

machine shop tool suppy...
they're called end mills...

[treecyclers]

The longest flush trim bit for a router I have EVER seen was a 3" cutter length.
I do know of a source for a 5" (I think) spiral head cutter for a shaper.
Superdave

[IMERC]

box lock motise bits gets that long but for the intended purpose that would be some serious dangerous...
no way to control shatter...

I think a down spiral end mill would do it.....