Infinity Tools sells brass pilot router bits that might be worth a look, as they address at least one issue with bearing pilot bits, namely they can fit in tight areas a larger ball bearing bit can’t.
They have been on the market for a few years, meaning they’re not newly launched, but perhaps you haven’t seen them before.
Infinity offers this design in six different 1/4″ shank router bits with a 3/16″ brass pilot: 22.5° and 45° chamfer bits, and 1/16″, 1/8″, 1/4″, and 3/8″ roundover bits. All the bits have the size and part number laser engraved on the shank for easy identification.
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In this photo, you should be able to see the difference between two similarly sized roundover bits. The bit with a 1/2″ bearing has a much larger body than the bit with the 3/16″ brass pilot.
A bit with a smaller body and pilot will fit into smaller areas. In this example usage photo, one of Infinity’s roundover bits is shown fitting into a small groove or dado that a ball bearing bit couldn’t fit.
You can buy these bits individually for $19 to $25 each, depending on the type and size of bit. Here’s a price list:
- (36-921) 45° Chamfer $25
- (57-200) 22.5° Chamfer $24
- (38-001) 1/16″ Roundover $19
- (38-002) 1/8″ Roundover $20
- (38-003) 1/4″ Roundover $21
- (38-004) 3/8″ Roundover $23
Or, you can get the 6 piece set including all the bits above for $100. The Infinity Tools website states that they have free economy shipping on orders over $100, so you might need to add something like a small bottle of glue in your basket to qualify since the actual price of the set is $99.90.
Price: $19 to $25 per bit or $100 for the set of 6.
Buy Now (via Infinity Tools)
Whiteside also make brass pilot or “small pilot” bits in 1/16″, 1/8″, 1/4″, and 3/8″ roundover styles. Their brass pilots are even smaller, measuring just 5/32″ in diameter.
Whiteside’s brass pilot router bits are slightly more expensive, priced at $24 to $27 each.
See Also (Whiteside bits via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I’m curious that Infinity Tools didn’t mention some other possible advantages to the brass pilot bits. First, no ball bearings means there are no separate piece to come loose or seize up and burn your work. When I visited Betterley Tools a few years ago, they told me that they never wanted their customers to depend on bearing in their jigs because bearings eventually fail.
I haven’t had a bearing on a router bit outright fail, but I have had one gum up to the point where I had to give it a good cleaning before it would spin freely again. When you want to quickly round over an edge, checking the pilot bearing usually isn’t on your mind.
A potential secondary advantage might be a potential increase in run time if you’re using a cordless router. These brass piloted bits are smaller in diameter than their ball bearing piloted counterparts, which means there’s less mass to spin. This might not be a significant difference, but with cordless power tools, a lot of little optimizations can add up.
One thing that I noticed that wasn’t quite fair was that Infinity kept comparing their brass pilot bits to bits with 1/2″ pilot bearings. I have many bits with 3/8″ pilot bearings where the body is both smaller in diameter and less massive. Those bits are still larger than the 3/16″ brass pilot though.
Lastly, I’m curious how the brass pilot is attached to the router bit. Is it screwed-in, pressed on, brazed, or maybe fixed by some other method? I suppose it’s not that important as long as it never comes off, but it would be interesting to see how they attach the pilot just the same.
Hilton says
MLCS has a set for $60 that includes four round-overs and a chamfer bit. 1/4″ shank of course.
I think the Infinity bits will be better quality though, even if they look very similar.
Grady says
Also, the ALL MLCS bits ship for free, no matter if it’s one bit or a set no minimum order.
Nathan says
does the brass spin freely or is it just smoothed and thus runs with the bit?
Interesting idea but I can’t imagine I have a need for a set. I have a set with 3/8th or whatever in mm bearings – and so far never needed smaller.
fred says
No the brass does not spin. Unfortunately because of that they have a propensity for burning some wood. Older style router bits that were 100% tool steel (cutter edge and solid bearing in all) were even worse with regard to burning – so maybe the brass helps.
Bill says
That was my first thought; do they burn the wood more often without a bearing? Seems like a trade off that may be necessary in some situations.
Nathan says
so I nylon or delrin insert would work better?
Bill says
Not sure that either could handle the heat, pressure and rpm of this application without deformation.
fred says
So called Euro-style square bearings are made of Teflon, But they are meant to glide along the surface of an edge being trimmed – and being square they obviously don’t rotate. Amana, Freud, MLCS and probably others make these:
https://www.toolstoday.com/laminate-trimmer-weuro-square-bearing-carbide-tipped-router-bit.html
You also see Teflon, Delrin or other plastic router bit bearings in larger diameters – often coupled with rabbeting bits
William says
I have then Infinity set, come in handy for certain jobs, don’t use them too much or that heavily to speak beyond limited use, however they have worked well for me.
Doresoom says
I couldn’t find mention on their product page if these are carbide or HSS. Did I miss that somewhere?
Benjamen says
No, I couldn’t find it either. It sure looks like carbide though. And for the price they are charging it should be.
Jim says
I would think that these brass bearings would have more friction and resistance and therefore more battery drain on a cordless tool.
Benjamen says
If that was the only factor yes, but compared to router bits with 3/8″ or 1/2″ bearings the body of the bit is much smaller, there is much less mass in the smaller body and the cutters are closer to the shank.
fred’s Amana bearings make that argument a bit of a mute point. But I wonder about the durability of a bearing that small — although I have no argument just a gut feeling.
Think about battery powered circular saws, why did they first come out with smaller blades? Because it takes more energy to cut with a 7-1/4″ blade than a 5-1/2″ blade .
fred says
The Amana bit set I bought five years ago – lasted though 4 dollhouses without any issues. I would not consider that a rigorous test of longevity and like you, I’m not sure that a 3/16 bearing is up to production level work.
Koko The Talking Ape says
I believe the issue with the larger bits would not be the greater spinning mass as much as the reduced force behind the outer section of the cutting edge, because of the longer moment arm. Torque equals force times moment arm. So for a given torque, the greater the moment arm, the less the force.
fred says
BTW – when I was making a few dollhouses – I came across these bits from Amana – that come with 3/16 inch diameter bearings:
https://www.toolstoday.com/v-14573-ams-612.html
salmon says
3/16 is probably the smallest you can go. Surprised these aren’t more common.
You can get smaller bearings but generally they aren’t sealed or shielded that small.
fred says
BTW for countersinking holes – I’m not sure that I’d reach for a router. I usually reach for a Weldon countersink drill bit. They come in both piloted and non-piloted styles.
https://www.mscdirect.com/industrialtools/weldon-high-speed-steel-countersinks.html
Joe says
Before carbide became so popular you used to be able to buy all steel router bits. These had a solid steel pilot. My dad taught me to sharpen years ago. They worked well.
I am looking for a 3/8 roundover bit with steel pilot. The brass pilot such as on the Whiteside wears excessively.
The Amana 3/8 bit with 3/16 bearing leaves a beaded profile.
Anyone knows who makes old fashion steel bits?
Thanks