Ball Bearing
A ball bearing guide is an essential tool used with a router to ensure smooth and precise cuts. It consists of a closed, wheel-like casing attached to the shank or spindle of the router. As the router operates, the ball bearing guide rolls along the edge of a jig or surface, stabilizing the router’s movement and helping to achieve clean, even cuts—especially for moldings and finishing work.
Ball bearing guides do not come in standard sizes; their dimensions depend on the size of the cutting bit and the bearing’s position. Some bits feature a small bearing positioned below the cutting tip, which helps when cutting moldings or edges by acting as a horizontal depth gauge. When the bearing is located above the cutting edge, it guides deeper cuts over multiple passes, but it can only be used once the desired depth is reached.
If the ball bearing guide does not rotate smoothly, it should be replaced immediately with one of the same size to ensure optimal performance and effectiveness.
4o mini
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