Whiteside ultra-long ultimate flush trim bits

These compression router bits, designed for use with thicker stock, leave crisp edges regardless of the grain orientation.

Author: Carl Duguay

Bearing guided bits are among the most useful router accessories. Flush trim bits have the bearing mounted on the top of the cutters and generally used with a hand held router to rout one surface flush with an adjoining surface. Pattern bits have the bearing mounted at the bottom of the cutters near the shank and are typically used on a router table when you have a template attached to the top of your workpiece. Top & bottom bearing bits have a bearing at the top and the bottom of the cutters, enabling you to choose the optimal cutting direction for your workpiece. All these bits are available with straight cutters and as spiral or compression bits.

Compression bits are somewhat similar to spiral bits. They combine upcut spiraling flutes at the top and downcut spiraling flutes near the shaft. Professional woodworkers know that compression bits deliver cleaner cuts and have a long lifetime than other bits.

Whiteside Ultimate Trim bits have been available in a 1-1/8″ cutter length format for several years. The new Whiteside Ultra-Long Ultimate Flush Trim compression bits are now available in three additional lengths for use with thicker stock – 1-3/8″, 1-5/8″ and 2-1/8″ cutter lengths in both a top bearing and a top & bottom bearing configuration.

COMPANY: Whiteside Machine Co.
MODEL: UDC9163 (Top & bottom bearing bit)
PRICE: $323.45
MADE IN: USA
SOURCE: UltimateTools.ca

FEATURES:

Solid carbide construction
4-1/4″ overall length
7/8″ cutter diameter
1-5/8″ cutter length
1/2″ shank
top and bottom bearing with stop collar
Includes storage container
1 year limited warranty

To view the complete list of ultra-long Whiteside bits click here.

These Whiteside bits come packaged in a durable plastic container that you can use to store the bit or safely transport it, if needed, to a job site. The container is also handy for protecting the bit if you send it out for re-sharpening. While in my experience these bits last a long time you can resharpen them at least once. Doing so will reduce the cutter diameter by .005″ to .010″ in relation to the diameter of the bearing – about the thickness of a sheet of printer paper. Having it re-sharpened, even once, makes the cost of ownership much more affordable. Most competent sharpening services can do the job.

These solid micrograin carbide spiral bits feature high shear cutting angles with compression action. The cutting edge closest to the tip has an up-cut design, while the lower cutting edge has a down-cut design. And, of course, the result is no tear out on either the top or bottom edges of your stock.

I’ve had the pleasure of using the UDC9163 top & bottom bit for several weeks in my shop. At 4-1/4″ long with a 1-5/8″ cutter length, and weighing in at just under 9 ounces it’s quite impressive. The bit is superbly finished, with sharp, polished flutes. Compared to other spiral bits it’s simply massive.

The bit has a 1/2″ shank that provides a lot more surface area when you’re tightening it in the collet. You certainly don’t want this bit slipping out of the collet. Plus, you don’t have to be concerned about the shank breaking under load.

What I find particularly impressive about the UDC9163 is the ‘one-two’ punch it offers – a large cutting radius and those opposing aggressive shear angles, two that are angled upwards and two angled downwards. The result is virtually no vibration, no burning, no tearout, and exceptionally clean edges.

When using this bit I set my router speed to between 16,000 and 18,000 RPM. I don’t get too concerned with the feed rate, and probably feed the stock slower than I would a smaller diameter bit. I haven’t experienced any tearout, even when trimming some fairly knurled grain Ash. If anything, I am somewhat more cautious about too slow a feed rate, which can build up extra heat, and leave burn marks on the edge of stock.

These Whiteside compression bits give the best finish of any router bit that I’ve used. If you do a lot of pattern work, you won’t go wrong with this bit. Remember that your router is only as good as the bit you use it with.