Can anyone advise on bit type and a UK supplier?
I'll be using a 1/4" trim router and some sort of jig to be devised.
Thanks
Mark

You want a bit like a Bull Nose. Unfortunately those avalible in this country are invariably of the half round type. You need one with a shorter cut. A Queen Ann can be used, but that involves making two passes to get the mortise you need. Do a search of the US sites and you should come up with what you need.


David.

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Not avalible in the UK

But try here

Robert Venneri's Custom Components - Tooling


Gary

Nicho Bamboo Rod Co

If its only for a few you can use a wooden moulding plane


Gary

Thanks all. For a router it looks like the venneri bit for a quick win or grinding the shoulders off a 5/8" a bullnose variant called a fingernail bit. As Gary notes, neither available here (typically).
Mortising Reel Seat barrels - Rod Building

Please don’t mess about grinding router bits.
You need to take both sides down so there is no unbalance when the router is rotating.
If it’s not done correctly you get massive vibration and a hell of a noise.
Sharpening a router bit is Ok but don’t try and alter the shape
Best to keep your fingers mate.

Remember it happens very quickly at speed you don’t get time to think about it.


Gary

I knocked up a guiding frame and taped some wet and dry to a reel foot using double-sided tape. Worked pretty well - with a cork insert.

There lots of ways to get the job done. If I did not have a router cutter or a moulding plane you could just rough it out with a standard shoulder plane and finish it off with 80 grit paper. It will do the job and no one will tell the difference.
Or if you wanted something more purpose made without the cash outlay.
make a jig to hold the blank and knock up a scratchstock with a cutter made from an old hacksaw blade.

Gary


Nicho Bamboo Rod Co

Thanks Gary. One of these days I'll have room for a sufficiently equipped workspace for more advanced tinkering - but for now I'm mudding along with a limited selection of basic hand and DIY power tools.