MIMF

I am hoping to use my new SM binding router bit setup to rout the binding rebate and add a ledge for purfling. Kind of a .040" wide by 1/10" deep purlfing inside of a 1/4" deep by 1/16" thick binding. I can't decide if you should start with the wider purfling cut and then do the deeper binding cut, or do the binding cut first.

Brian

I’ve found that with the router, the size of the bite matters. So I do the binding ledge first (sometimes in three steps with chippy wood), then the smaller purfling ledge. The StewMac bit set comes with a little sleeve to lower the bearing below the already cut ledge. (All my career, I have cut the binding and purfling ledges using just the bearing with no jigs—it’s not that hard to keep the router axis vertical.) Recently, I have been cutting the binding ledge, installing the binding, then cutting the purfling groove with a dremel using a good guide and a lot of care and patience. This way, I end up with fewer gaps to fuss over. I don’t think that practicing on scrap wood (made up into what ever situation mimics what you want to accomplish) can be over recommended when you first start with a router. With a little practice, you can get a feel for the router’s behavior and some wisdom on selecting speeds. Pay attention to the direction of cut and to grain direction.