slot cutter bit assembly

[big daddy]

Sorry for the woodmaking 101 question, but:

Can anyone tell me how to assemble the slot cutter bit with arbor and bearing?  I got the package here:

http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/bt_slot.html

and it didn't come assembled and I haven't been able to figure out exactly how it all goes together.  I have the slot cutter itself, the shaft which came with 1 nut, 2 washers, and some other "nut like" thing, then I have the bearing which came seperately.  

I'm afraid I must have it together incorrectly because as I try to use it I'm actually starting a FIRE (I mean smoke is just billowing out of the MDF that I'm cutting..I can't even see what I'm cutting).  I'm not sure if it's the bit or the wood or what, but anyone have any ideas?  No way I should be seeing that much smoke, huh?  I'm slowing butchering my project that has been coming together so nicely up until now.

[dmish82]

Hi,

i just got done last weekend w/ that same bit and it honestly doesnt' really seem to matter how you assemble it. The nut-like thing seems to be a spacer to extend it far enough out past the surface of the router. If i remember correctly, i placed the shank in, then the nut-like thing, a washer, the slot bit, another washer, then the nut. Hope this helps you.

[patrickl]

Did you perhaps mount the cutting blade upside down? With clockwise rotation of the bit (witch I assume is a universal standard) you need to mount the cutting blade like in the picture of MLCS (i'm just talking about the cutting blade orientation here, the rest doesn't matter much).

[DrewKaree]

ya, if you have the blade mounted backwards that would cause the symptoms you describe.

[big daddy]

blade in upside down..I betcha that's the problem.  I didn't even think to check to make sure the blades were pointing the right way!  I'll check tomorrow, but I bet that's it.  Thanks for the help!

[nostrebor]

Out taking some pics and grabbed one of my slot cutter set up in the router. The bearing and one washer are out of view... its bearing,washer,cutter,washer,nut. This might help others get a picture in their mind