| Review by Karson | posted 188 days ago | 323 views | 1 time favorited | 12 comments |  |
- Stewart-MacDonald Precision Router Set
- Brand: Stewart-MacDonald | Category: Routers
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When i was asked to make the frame for mark’s Memorial I wanted to do an inlay. I’d seen a couple of small routers on the web and I’d seen what mark DeCou does for cutting the outlines on his letter carving.
This router came from Steward-MacDonald. They make tools for the construction and repair of string instruments. This is their router being used for an inlay in a guitar.
I bought the router as a kit which contains an air pump and an edge guide. The edge guide is for inlaying on the edge of instruments.
The router was built to use a Dremel as the power source. But, I’d heard that the Dremel is underpowered. The make a hand piece that works with a Foredom power head. I ordered the Modified Foredom head and it’s shown in the second picture. The third picture is the tool in use. I was using a 1/32” router bit, and I found that it works better if you cut the middle of the inlay out first and then work to the edges.
Here are the inlays in place.
It works great and is highly recommended.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
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12 comments so far
TomK
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364 posts in 323 days
posted 188 days ago
That looks perfect for delicate inlays, Karson. What is the largest diameter bit it will accept?
-- North Texas
Karson
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12734 posts in 849 days
posted 188 days ago
The handpiece will only accept 1/8” shank bits. I didn’t see any bits larger than that in 1/8” shank. Foredom has other handpieces that accept up to 1/4” shanks, but not the handpiece for the router base.
This set of bits is 1/32, 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8”
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Douglas Bordner
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2466 posts in 513 days
posted 188 days ago
I have the Dremel tool version of this fine little set-up. Although it isn’t a plunger, it is precise and well made. I bought the edge guide as well, and there is an additional fixture designed to cut the channel for the binding or purfling of guitar and violin bodies. Cool tool.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Karson
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12734 posts in 849 days
posted 188 days ago
Your right it’s not a true plunge other thasn you turn the screw and it will go up and down.. I guess you can control the depth by 1000 of an inch. I don’t know what the thread pitch is but its fine.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Karson
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12734 posts in 849 days
posted 188 days ago
Tom. I see that Stew-mac also has a 1/8” shank and 5/32 bit for cutting bandings on guitars.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
TomK
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364 posts in 323 days
posted 188 days ago
Thanks, I just saw that on their site too. I want to build a Stratocaster style electric for my daughter, and wanted something that had finer control than I can get with my palm router.
-- North Texas
Grumpy
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4905 posts in 300 days
posted 188 days ago
I like it Karson, great looking tool.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
rikkor
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7177 posts in 323 days
posted 188 days ago
I have one I’ve used for guitar inlay and purfling. It is a precision tool. More precise than the Dremmel I use it with.
-- Maplewood, MN
RickH
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18 posts in 197 days
posted 187 days ago
Nice review – thanks! I have been thinking of getting into inlay work, and your review really helps. Appreciate the details and all the photos.
-- Rick - OC, CA
roman
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410 posts in 342 days
posted 187 days ago
thats nice
another for my wish list
-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/
Lee A. Jesberger
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2595 posts in 429 days
posted 186 days ago
Thanks for the review Karson.
I’ve looked at these several times, but my hands were already full. Sooner or later I’ll order one.
They appear to be high quality.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
tenontim
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843 posts in 193 days
posted 182 days ago
Thanks for the review. I’ve been looking at this and the dremmel, and couldn’t make up my mind.
-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com