I bought this to use my router table as an edge bander. It works perfectly. I could combine 9/4 walnut and 4/4 oak well enough that I couldn't tell them apart from the factory edge. I can't comment on the durability of the product, but it's well made with two carbide grooves and I have no reason to doubt it will hold up well. Haven't found a 1/2 shaft that long. The difference between day and night. I was able to use a 1/4" shank for 4/4 pine and very carefully for 3/4 oak. Any higher load created a painfully jagged edge.