1/2" Top-Bearing Flush Trim
The opposite of H01: same job, flush-trimming stock to a template, but the bearing sits at the top instead of the tip. Template goes on top of the workpiece here, bearing rides it, flutes trim everything below flush.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Profile | Flush trim |
| Cutting diameter | 0.500” |
| Shank diameter | 0.250” |
| Flutes | 2 |
| Cutting length | 1.000” |
| Overall length | 2.625” |
| Bearing | 1/2” ball bearing, top, 3/16” thick |
| Material | Carbide tipped, Perma-SHIELD coated |
| Max RPM | 24,000 |
Notes
Bearing on top changes the workflow, not the cut. H01 wants the template underneath and rough stock stacked on it, cutting from above down onto a hidden reference. This one wants the template on top where it’s visible while routing, which matters most for anything you’re sighting by eye, like sign lettering, or anywhere clamping the template on top is just easier than pinning it underneath.
3/16” bearing thickness matters for template stock. Freud’s own answer to this exact question: match the template thickness to the bearing, or the bearing rides partway on the template and partway on the workpiece edge and the trim comes out inconsistent.
A support customer complaint mentioned the bearing retaining ring backing off mid-cut on this exact bit, walking the bearing up the shaft and ruining the pattern and the workpiece. Worth a quick check that the retaining screw is snug before a long run, especially on anything expensive like stair stringers.
Links
- Product page: Freud 50-102
- Database: Tooling