Whiteside Router Bits 3000 Template Bit with Ball Bearing

I purchased the same bit at three different cut depth: Whiteside model #3000, #3001 and #3004. Be aware they are not for heavy work like (typically found at) Carpentry but they have place for furniture and cabinet making. I love to have all of them as it is easy to work with quite similar bits with interchanged bearings. I just work with the smaller of them, the #3000 model and as expected it performed spotless even for very heavy ipe wood. I expect the other two bits are at the same quality level. Strongly recommended.

Replacement tool, always use these tools.

I bought this bit to route using guitar templates, both on the neck and body. Since it only removes 1/4 inch at a time, you wont get any tear-out and it leaves a very smooth edge on your work piece. After you use this to route the top 1/4 inch, you can remove your template and use your top routed layer as your template, which removes the risk of wearing your template by running a bearing on it repeatedly. I use this on my hand-held 1/4 shank Makita palm router and it works flawlessly. Go slowly and it will get the job done. For the price, its an amazing little bit.

I used this for 1.5 hours before the bearing disintegrated. So my project was put on hold while I sourced more bearings. At $8/each theyre not cheap and neither is this bit. Other reviews have reported the same. Next time Ill go with a CMT bit. If you need bearings, search for whiteside b9 bearing.

Really good quality for the money. I have a selection of their bits, and they are excellent.

Nice router bit and cuts well but the set screw comes loose and falls out and by the time you realize its missing its hard to find in the waste on the floor, if it hasnt been flung off to the far reaches of the workshop.

Ive had two instances where the hex screw on the bearing lock collar falls off during normal use. Luckily, Ive been able to retrieve the screw, but its unclear whether the problem is with the screw or the lock collar (e.g., a hairline fracture). Very disappointed!

Needed to inset a router plate in the router table top I am making. And yet again I need a new tool, be cheaper to just buy a router table but hey the tool will come in handy sooner or later. Nice clean cut with smooth bottom, fit of the router plate matches fit in the template. I made it a tight fit expecting the cut would be a fraction wide. Nope its not, oh well it will wear in with some time. Not worth sanding out.

This bit did exactly what I bought it for (bought it for cleaning out the pins on dovetails). Whiteside bits are very high quality and this was no exception. Not the cheapest, but I think definitely worth it long term.

Its nice to have a small pattern bit available, lets you take smaller bites at a time.