noob router bit question

[siliconbauhaus]

I finally got my router set up on a table and was messing about with some scrap.

The bit I was using was a 45 chamfer which has a bearing on the bottom (the top when in the table)so here's the question: Is it ok to take the bearing off to use it or is that stupid?

[Uncle Cracker]

If you are using a fence to control the uniformity of the cut, then you don't need the bearing, but there's also no reason to take it off. Most folks either set the fence so the bearing either just clears the cut, or so the bearing actually still guides the cut and the fence simply adds a little end-to-end stability to the work. If you take it off, you run the risk that debris will clog the mounting hole, making it difficult to re-mount the bearing if you want to use the bit in a free-routing operation. All this assumes a straight-edged workpiece. If the workpiece is curved or irregular, you will need the bearing to maintain a uniform contact with the work.

[siliconbauhaus]

ah ok then mate.....thanks

[LCHIEN]

Actually there are two kinds of 45 degree bits.
One has the bearing like you describe, you can set the depth and in doing so set the width of the chamfer cut.

You can also take the same bearing and use it with a fence. Keep the bearing even with the fence, the fence will do the same job as the bearing did, you can raise and lower the bit to adjust the chamfer width.

The other bit is 45 degree with no bearing, just comes to a 90 degree point. You can use with with a fence just as the bearing with with the fence above, and you can also use it as a grooving bit to make nice angled decorative grooves in wood using a guide fence against the router base.