Official Luthiers Forum!

I learned from Andy Birko that his web store,birkonium.com is now offering the LMI binding cutter bit and complete bearing sets. Birkonium is now the authorized supplier of the original cutter and spacer bearings. This came as good news to me as I depend on the availability of the cutter tool and replacement bearings to maintain my binding and purfling cutter. Here is a link to the cutter and bearings:

https://birkonium.com/shop/tools-misc/binding-cutter-bearing-set/

Birkonium is an OLF sponsor and my source for CNC necks, bridges and fingerboards.

MJ Franks

Hey guys - this post is true and even better news - I should have the cutters and bearings in next week in time for a great Christmas present.

Question for y'all though - These bearings are sized such that you can cut a ledge from .060" all the way to .230". I'm trying to come up with some packaging for the bearing set and as far as a description goes, do you think it's better to label the bearings which size they're cutting or the diameter of the bearing?

I'm leaning toward putting the ledge size in there but, since this is a 1" cutter, the math is really easy to if you have the bearing size.

So which would you rather have in the storage box - bearing diameter or ledge width and why?

Thanks!

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

The almost equivalent bearing/cutter system that StewMac sells comes with a chart that gives both numbers for each bearing. I use both numbers when working out the dimensions for binding/purfling channels and when using the bearings. So I like having both numbers readily available.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Ledge size.

I got tired of fumbling with bearings and calipers and math, StuMac, but same principle. Here's my solution. Thanks Andy for picking up LMII bearings.

I use plastic tubing to protect edges on some other cutting bits I keep in the box.





Brian

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Brian R, Wood Mechanic
N8ZED

Ledge size for me and terrific news!

Nice one, got to do something similar!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Ledge size is great info, but I also like to verify that I am about to use the correct bearing, so having the bearing diameter along with the ledge cut depth is appreciated.

Good news Andy. It is a great set!

My intentions were to make a nice case like Buddy's for my LMI bearing set but I never got around to it. I do have this CAD drawn card which I keep with the bearings.

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R.M. Mottola
LiutaioMottola.com

Author of the books Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar and Mottola's Cyclopedic Dictionary of Lutherie Terms.

I don't check in here very often. If you need to contact me the best bet is via email through the contact page on my site.

Both. Ledge size is great for storage and use, but I always check diameter with my calipers.

Sent from my SM-N960U1 using Tapatalk

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Pat

ledge size gives quick and easy bearing changes for a specific cutter for the desired result

bearing size gives reference if one uses a different diameter cutter for whatever reason

skip the choosing and do both to cover all bases

I would prefer bearing size, I use the bearings in other wood working projects with different diameter cutters.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

Here’s my set up…



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brad, your setup looks just like mine. I’ll add a photo after I get down to the shop (if I can remember-ha).


Steve

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I like to have both so I can measure a bearing and put it back in it's correct location on my board.

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Tony Thatcher
Bozeman, Montana