Did I waist money on this top/bottom bearing pattern bit

[keith ouellette]

Here is my new 3/4" top and bottom bearing pattern bit. 2" cutting length.

From infinity. cost about $45 with shipping.

The top bearing just slides on and a collar holds it in place.

I feel a little ripped off.

All I had to do was buy a bearing and collar for my 3/4" or 1" straight bit and I would have had a pattern bit?

Is that right.

[Anthony Whitesell]

Yep. That's right. That's all the top bearing bits are.

FWIW, I called MLCS the other day looking for a 1 1/4" dish carving bit with the bearing. They said the largest they have is 1 1/8" with the bearing. I said I see the the 1 1/4" without the bearing, don't you have it with as well. No they replied. Later I was perusing the rest of their site and found replacement bearings. So I called back and asked if the 1 1/4"OD bearing would fit the 1 1/4" dish carving bit. "Why yes it does sir". Total cost $36.95. "No thank you. My local seller has it for that price."

[Myk Rian]

I have found T&B bearing bits handy. When using a template and coming to the wrong way on the grain, I can flip the job over and use the other bearing to finish it. No tearout.

[Peter Quinn]

Ripped off? Not sure I'd agree. Their basic 3/4" X 2" down shear flush trim bit is $30, so you paid $5 more for a bearing kit, and shipping is shipping. Strange thing is I have been getting free shipping emails from them for months.

In any event I have been happy with their products, that strikes me as a fair price for that size of bit from a quality manufacturer, and $5 for a bearing kit is a better deal than I have gotten from either Freud or Amana both of whom I have needed to purchase individual bearing replacements from.

I'm wondering if you have spun the bit and how you find its performance? I haven't tried any pattern bits from them but have considered them next time the need arises.

[keith ouellette]

Ripped off? Not sure I'd agree. Their basic 3/4" X 2" down shear flush trim bit is $30, so you paid $5 more for a bearing kit, and shipping is shipping. Strange thing is I have been getting free shipping emails from them for months.

In any event I have been happy with their products, that strikes me as a fair price for that size of bit from a quality manufacturer, and $5 for a bearing kit is a better deal than I have gotten from either Freud or Amana both of whom I have needed to purchase individual bearing replacements from.

I'm wondering if you have spun the bit and how you find its performance? I haven't tried any pattern bits from them but have considered them next time the need arises.

I agree with you but my point was I didn't really need to order the bit. I guess I should have said " did I rip myself off?" because that is what I actually did. I could have jus got a bearing. As far as getting a 2" shear angle bit I guess I'm happy but I didn't actually 'NEED' the 2" bit. I figured if I was getting one pattern bit I might as well get it 2" in length.


I have not used it yet. I'll give a full report when I do.

[Peter Quinn]

I see your point Keith. Just buy the bearing for a few bucks and put it on a flush trim you had or on a new smaller flush trim for less money? You may have ripped your self off. I would demand a refund from your self!

I wonder if you could exchange the bit for one of a more useful size and a bearing? With shipping you might not get ahead.

[glenn bradley]

I have flush bits with bearings at the tip that are cut in such a way that a shaft bearing would not seat correctly so they are not all usable that way. I have other profiles that will not accept a shaft bearing as well. Others I have (both straight and varies in profile) do accept a shaft bearing.

I have quite an array of bearings and collars and they do enhance my existing bits on many occasions. I wouldn't see this as a goof; just a step toward a more varied collection of goodies in your router bit arsenal.

[mickey cassiba]

Keith, I hear you, but it is not the seller's job to know what you want/need. It's their job to sell stuff.
BTW I've got a bunch of stuff I thoght I needed . Yer not the first!

[Dan Mitchell]

I have found T&B bearing bits handy. When using a template and coming to the wrong way on the grain, I can flip the job over and use the other bearing to finish it. No tearout.

I have a Whiteside one I use a lot, too.

[Joe Scharle]

Occasionally, a pattern bit is too short to reach full depth so one fix is to keep dropping the bearing down onto freshly cut faces until the job is completed.

[Noah Katz]

"All I had to do was buy a bearing and collar for my 3/4" or 1" straight bit and I would have had a pattern bit?"

"Yep. That's right. That's all the top bearing bits are."

?? I have lots of straight bits but there are cutting edges at the end and no way to attach a bearing.

If there was, it would already be a pattern bit.

[Stephen Edwards]

I don't think that you ripped yourself off. Had you just purchased a collar bearing you would have a top bearing bit only. Now, you have a top and bottom bearing bit. They're handy to have around, as others have pointed out.

[John M Bailey]

"All I had to do was buy a bearing and collar for my 3/4" or 1" straight bit and I would have had a pattern bit?"

"Yep. That's right. That's all the top bearing bits are."

?? I have lots of straight bits but there are cutting edges at the end and no way to attach a bearing.

If there was, it would already be a pattern bit.

The bearing and collar they are talking about is the one the slips onto the shank of the bit, not the end.

[Noah Katz]

Oops, I see, thanks.