How does this dang bit work anyway?

[AgniTheSane]

Okay. I have my cabinet (mostly complete), I have my t-molding, I have my router (never used one before) and I have my slot cutting bit. The problem is that I am not exactly sure how the slot-cutting bit actually goes together and I have visions of it flying apart in mid cut and, to quote my mother, “putting someone’s eye out.”

I searched the archives, hit up google, and even checked the MLCS website (thanks for the link whoever posted it last week).

I have 7 pieces:

One three wing cutting blade
One shaft (shank?)
One bearing
One thick round thingy
One nut
Two washers

Any idea how it goes together? My guess is:
Everything goes on the shank in this order:

Thick round thingy
Three wing cutting bit
Washer
Bearing
Washer
Nut

Am I close?

Thanks!
Agni

[Tailgunner]

Sounds about right to me. Two things to check would be that the outside part of the bearing turns freely, and you have the cutter's teeth facing the right direction.

Routing is fairly simple, just remember you always rout in one direction. Take a few scrap pieces and practice routing the slots on them. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be ready for routing your cabinet pieces.

Butch...

[AgniTheSane]

The picture is a little bit like the one in the catalog they sent with the bit. But I can't really tell if the round thick piece is there or if the blade is mounted directly on the shank.

When I stack all the pieces together, including the round thick piece, there is only enough room on the shank for the nut to tighten down about half way. Which seems bad.

Did they just include the round thick piece to confuse me?

[OSCAR]

Sorry to refute my buddy BobA, but.........  DON'T FOLLOW THAT PIC!

It shows the cutter head backwards.  You will get lots of smoke and a burned up slot cutter bit, but no slot.  The teeth should point clockwise.

[AgniTheSane]

Oh... I guess I have to have the thick round piece, otherwise the blade just kind of twirls around. There is nothing there to hold it. But that does mean the nut does not tighten down all the way.

[BobA]

Thanks for noticing that Oscar.  I never thought a catalog picture would be wrong.  Here is another try.

BobA

[OSCAR]

Thanks for noticing that Oscar.  I never thought a catalog picture would be wrong.  Here is another try.

BobA

Heh, maybe that pic from the catalog is what they use for assembly instructions in the factory.  I've received them from the manufacturer assembled that way, too, so I always double-check...  

[AgniTheSane]

Thanks Guys!

It works. That is to say, the slot cutter works. I on the other hand, need a little more practice before I try it out on my cab.