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I'm just about to route the channels for the bindings on a 335 I'm building. I was going to just get the bit and bearing I need from Stew Mac. Then I got a catalog in the mail from MLCS.

I've never really heard of them before but I was probably sold out to some mailing list company from Rockler or some other place I've ordered from in the past.

They sell these bits:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... abbet.html

Obviously not all of them will work but some of them look good and they're are up to half the price of the Stew Mac bit.

There are also a whole range of bearings on this page:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... hlight=255

Unfortunately the bearings aren't in a neat set specifically for binding thicknesses. Before I do the math and see if I can find a bit and bearing that will work I was wondering if anyone has tried this before?

By going to places like McMaster Carr I've been able to buy the same screws Stew Mac sells for lots cheaper. I know it doesn't always pay to pinch pennies. However, I also don't like to feel like a chump because I've paid for a "specialty" bit that really isn't all that special.

Any thoughts?

I have seen a link to this site on one of the guitar building forums I frequent. Unfortunately, I can't remember which one, nor can I remember the general consensus on whether they're a decent alternative or not. Looking forward to a few here who know the score.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I purchase my bits from Grizzly.
About the same pricing as above, and their bits seem just fine and dandy.
I mix and match bits and bearings. However, the bearing shaft (on the tip of the bit) can vary in diameter from bit to bit.

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wah
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Just to clarify, are you saying that you use the Grizzly bits and the bearings from stewmac? I can't seem to find bearings that would work at Grizzly or mlcs.

Hi Harold,
Sorry I don't have specific part numbers, I have a box of mixed bits and bearings.
I have a straight bit that I put and under-sized bearing on.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

i have contacted MLCS with the stew mac link to their bits & they told me they could not match those sizes....i bought my bit from WD & the binding that fits it from stew mac is the.60

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