Router Help

[bargeloobs]

Hey guys, I finally got myself a bit of essential kit today in the form of a router and a very small selection of bits.
Now I've just gotta learn how to use the damn thing although I've been playing around this afternoon and managed a basic mortise as well as some fancy edgings and wotnot.

Anyway I've been trawling through allsorts of youtube vids but can't seem to find anything really comprehensive to give me a better understanding about routing guitar bodies (more specifically routing humbucker cavities and binding channels.)
From what I can gather I probably need some sort of template for the pup cavity and making one up wouldn't be a problem, it's more trying to get my head around what part of the router runs on the template whilst the bit is in the timber.
Now the binding channels, that's proving to be a whole new level of confusing with jigs, tables, box setups and all manner of contraptions but no real clear cut/ comprehensive vids on how to exactly achieve this. I did watch one dude just doing it freehand [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0paTtoorxmw[/embed] and he got a really nice result, but again he didn't really talk about how to setup the router to achieve this, BTW the binding I'm using is 6 X 1.5 mm.
Sorry if this all sounds a bit "noob", this a a whole new thing to me.
If anyone out there knows a really good resource (preferably videos) for this sort of thing or can pass on some of their own knowledge I'd really appreciate it.
Cheers!

...and bearing in mind I don't have and endless money pit to go and buy fancy gizmos from Stew Mac

[wokkaboy]

hey Barge,
you are on the right track. You will need to cut some templates I normally use 12mm thick marine ply and make the templates way oversize so you can clamp the body under the template. You will need to use a pattern following router bit with a bearing, the bit needs to be a parallel shape. The bit 2nd from the left in your kit would be suitable for a router table to cut a body, but generally the bearing needs to be on the shaft side when routing pup and control cavities, so the bit cuts below the template.
I'd keep searching youtube and even the Stewmac website may have some helpful videos.
Just remember a router is one of the most dangerous power tools and its very important you keep checking the bit is tightened well in the chuck.
I'd get some scrap wood and practice and you will be more confident with one.
Its also important you ensure the bearing on the bit is at the correct height and the whole bearing is running on the template edges. Wear safety glasses and hearing protection too

[bargeloobs]

Okay cool man cheers for that wokks that makes sense, can you get hold of those bits on ebay?

[bargeloobs]

Sorry just another thing wokks, so you say you use a 12mm thick template? As you gradually drop you depth down (obviously a pup rout is gonna exceed 12mm) does the bearing just end up running on your fresh rout in the body therefore continuing to use the body as the template as you go deeper?
Hope that makes sense:P

[wokkaboy]

hey Barge, not sure if router bits are available on ebay. I'd go to a shop that specialises in power tools would be your best bet. Think my main router bit is about 30mm long. You are correct once the cavity you routed is more than the depth of the bit you can remove the template and use the edge that you have cut as a guide.
Do you have a carbatec or Hare and Forbes near you ?
You should be able to get a bearing to fit most shafts with a small allen key lock screw

[bargeloobs]

What about something like this?

[embed]http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Router-Bit-16mm-Inverted-Flush-Trim-TB8220-TruaCuT-/221451456624?pt=AU_Woodcrafts&hash=item338f891070[/embed]

[wokkaboy]

yer that looks ideal Barge and good value, about $28 posted.

[bargeloobs]

Excellent I just bought it, thanks for your help dude!

[wokkaboy]

no worries Barge, let me know how the bit cuts I might buy one, its a good price

[bargeloobs]

Yeah roger that