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I like to put a little champher around the pinholes on the bridge but have had a hard time avoiding chatter with the champher bits I own. I have one with 7 or 8 flutes and one with only one flute and a smooth tapered surface that I thought would ride on the surface and prevent chatter. The both chatter. Sometimes just a little, and sometimes so much that I have to resort to a tapered grind stone to smooth things out.   

There must be a tool out there that cuts champhers quickly and without chatter.

TIA for your advice.

John

John

I had the same problem. I also tried multi-flute and single flute bits. I finally started getting clean champhers when my multi flute bit got dull after countersinking a bunch of holes in steel !  It doesn't cut very well now, it's slow and takes a lot of pressure, but it makes really smooth champhers.

I know.... that's not the most elegant solution.

Mark

John...I use a 1-flute with a sharp edge. I cut the champher on the raw bridge using a drill press before it is ever mounted to the guitar. I've never had any chatter. I've only used ebony and BRW so far.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I've never tried it, but I remember spotting it a while back and thinking it was worth a punt...

Clicky

I use the similar styled 3/8 one from Lee Valley - works great, never used anything else.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Tony,
I switched to the Lee Valley one because of a recommendation of a friend guitar builder and it has totally eliminated chatter. To me, this is the best bit on the market. Not very expensive either. You can get it HERE. It is the 3/8" bit. Good luck.
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Thanks guys. Great suggestions.
Mark I may try yours first because it is quick and cheap, but I think I am destined to get the Lee Valley job pretty quickly.

JJ I like the idea of chaphering those holes before mounting and using the drill press instead of a hand held drill. I have horrible visions of slipping out of the hole and champhering the top.

Hey John,

Also from Lee Valley... It is a little expensive, but does a very good job.  I have the 77J05.09 I believe!