Arbor adventures

[clockwork]

After reading the forums here, I figured I'd have trouble finding a 1/16" slot cutting bit locally, but I really wanted to have it for this weekend (short of paying $30 for overnight shipping), so I began the hunt. First place I stopped had a 1/16" bit but no arbor. I tried three other places, no arbor. I haven't tried Lowes or Home Depot (maybe Menard's?) on the other side of town yet.

Is the arbor specific to this bit and to routers or is there something else I should be able to find and make work?

[scotthh]

The most important things are the arbor diameter and that you have a bearing that fits on the arbor.

Look at Whiteside's online catalog. I purchased a 6700A slot cutter and a A210B arbor from holbren. These are listed under "Slotting Cutters/Arbors" If you look under Accessories -  Arbors, they make an A210 arbor which looks like my A210B arbor. The A210 is 2 5/8" long, vs. 2 3/8" for the A210B (all of the other dimensions are the same). The A210B comes with a B5 bearing and three washers, which I don't think the A210 comes with. I would guess that the A210 plus the bearing and washers would be a perfectly fine substitute for the "real thing".  See this thread for info about what to do with the bearing, nut and washers (there are others with contradictory information). But, by the time you get done finding all of that stuff, it would have been easier and quicker to have ordered them and waited for delivery.

Home Depot carries slot cutters and arbors. As does Lowes.

[clockwork]

Thanks for the info. The thread was helpful. I ended up finding an arbor (with bearing, nut, and washers) locally. I know I could have gotten them easily online but, as I said, I really wanted them for this weekend and without having to pay the outrageous price for 1-2 day delivery.

[scotthh]

Just make sure you put the slot cutter on the right way. See this thread to read about what happens if it's reversed, and the right way to put it on. I usually just compare the slot cutter and arbor to a cove, rabbeting or round over bit to make sure the carbide blades are facing the right way. Make some nice slots this weekend!

[clockwork]

I did consider direction of the blade and compared it to the pics in the first thread you sent me. I set it up and did a test cut tonight. Seemed to go well. Tomorrow will be the real thing. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[Franco B]

Im keeping my fingers crossed that you keep your fingers! 

Good luck 

[clockwork]

Hehe, thanks. Slots are cut. Fingers are intact. It was a good day.