RFT5200 SOLID CARBIDE 2 FLUTE UP-CUT SPIRAL FLUSH TRIM ROUTER BIT 1/2 DIA X 2" CL X 1/2" SHANK

the best router bit I have ever had.

I ordered this bit for guitar building as this type of bit was recommended on the TDPRI Telecaster forum. I have two straight bits in 2" cutting length, one that I bought a few weeks prior to ordering this one and has been used possibly 3 times. After purchasing this bit, I don't think they will ever be used again for guitar making. This bit cuts smoothly and leaves the cut so smooth you could almost do without sanding. The straight bits still had some minor chatter and tore out tiny pieces regardless of how close I bandsawed the surplus wood from the template shape. With this bit I haven't lost any wood that I didn't want to.The downsides to these types of bits (if you can call it a downside) is that they are unidirectional. The "upcut" pulls the wood towards the router. In a route-table mounted setting this is ideal. The "downcut" pushes away from the router, making it ideal for hand held as your work is generally on a bench. You cannot uphill cut with this blade (ie pull the wood in the direction of the bit rotation). On a table you can only push the wood right to left into the blade.Bit came in a plastic tube to protect it in addition to the plastic sleeve shown in the photos for the other sizes.As for quality and longevity I'm not sure just yet as it's relatively new. It currently leaves a grain sized bump in the cuts, possibly from a ding in the blade. Not a big deal as sand paper gets rid of it. Not sure if this is a defect of the metal, or of my ability to take care of my tools as I can be a bit clumsy in the shop.If I lost it or damaged it beyond use, I would definitely buy another and would not go back to straight bits. In fact I'm buying the same Whiteside bit in 1.25" cutting length today.

This bit is very sharp and grabbed a piece of wood I was flush trimming during a split second when a door opened and I was distracted. My depth of cut was ambitious but acceptable. My hand was pulled in and the bit went across the back of my fingers - 17 stitches. Ouch!

This bit may not be cheap, but it is worth every penny in my opinion. Leaves very smooth results and will cut going "uphill" into end grain with perfect results. I have had other bits that cheap out when making that cut. This bit does not. Highly recommended!

I bought this bitfor use in a router table, primarily for shaping guitar necks and bodies from templates. The neck stock I'm using is 7/8". The bodies are usually 1.75". It works really well. No tear out at all. I did try to use it against the grain starting at a sharp corner on one neck (which was a stupid thing to try) and it did catch, but on a rounded contour of a body it will rout all the way around, with or against the grain and on short-grain, without any problem - the entire 1.75".The cut is extremely smooth.It's an expensive bit, but it can handle a lot of wood, and works as I hoped. You still have to use common sense/safety precautions when routing though.

Just a fantastic bit. Leaves a mirror smooth cut in Hard Maple, even taking a full length cut. I left about 1/16-1/8" of material left to flush up with this bit. Used in a router table with the bit running at about 20,000-22,000 RPM with a Dewalt DW618 router.There were parts of the cut going against the grain of the wood, but it made almost not difference in the cut quality. Never noticed any extra vibration or resistance due to the grain direction, something that is always hit or miss with straight bits. You will be very happy with this bit. Worth every penny.

This bit cannot cut as listed.

I tried using a regular straight flush trim bit for routing the outside edge of guitar bodies, but it would catch the grain on uphill curves and split the wood. This spiral bit slices through hardwood like butter and leaves a very smooth surface. I wouldn't want to make a guitar without it.