Binding Router Bits

[Yonkle]

I am starting my 4th mandolin a F4, just wondering, I have been using a binding router bit from StewMac, how many mandolins can you do the channels on before needing a new bit? Hate to buy another one, but also hate to gouge my mandolin. Whats the norm here? (photo this bit) JD

[Greenmando]

If that photo is accurate it is a carbide bit, a carbide bit should be good for several hundred linear feet. Unless you hit any metal of course. I use half inch cutters like that for months of heavy finish carpentry work. A half inch bit will cut over a thousand door butts in oak.

[bobz]

Get yourself one of those small pocket diamond hones and that cutter will most probably last your lifetime. It only takes a few rubs on a fine or extra fine stone to get the cutter razer sharp again. Hold the hone on the edge of your workbench with a drop of water on the hone. Sharpen the face of each cutting edge on the edge of the hone counting the number of strokes across the hone made. Make sure you keep the face of the cutter flat on the hone. Repeat for the other cutter face, same number of strokes. Inspect the cutter to make sure all the surface has been honed. Repeat if neccessary. Do`nt let let the cutter become too dull, just accasionally touch up the cutter on the diamond hone.