CMT Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Bit - 1/2" Diameter, 10-Pack (DLCS Chrome Coating) is a professional-grade compression router bit engineered for clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of sheet goods, making it a go-to choice for CNC routing through-cuts in plywood, MDF, laminates, melamine, and hardwood. Built entirely from premium micrograin solid carbide and finished with CMT's advanced DLCS coating, this right-hand spiral bit simultaneously shears material upward and downward for flawless top-and-bottom surface quality in a single pass. Sold as a 10-pack, it delivers outstanding value for production shops and industrial CNC operations that demand consistent, repeatable performance.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide Construction (HWM Micrograin Carbide) - manufactured entirely from premium micrograin carbide rather than a carbide-tipped steel body, delivering superior hardness, edge retention, and more resharpening cycles so the bit lasts longer in high-volume production environments.
• DLCS Chrome Coating (Modified Diamond-Like Carbon) - a specialized modified diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity that reduces friction, limits heat buildup, resists pitch and resin accumulation, and dramatically extends tool life between sharpenings compared to uncoated solid carbide.
• Up/Downcut Compression Geometry (2 + 2 Flute Design) - the 2 upcut and 2 downcut flutes work simultaneously to pull fibers inward from both faces, eliminating tearout and delamination on top and bottom surfaces - ideal for through-cuts where surface quality on both sides is critical.
• 1/2" Shank with 1 1/8" Cutting Height - the robust 1/2" shank minimizes vibration and deflection at the spindle, while the 1 1/8" total cutting height accommodates standard sheet material thicknesses in a single pass without repositioning.
• 15/32" Lower Cutting Height (I1) - precisely engineered lower downcut zone ensures the bottom face is firmly compressed against the workpiece bed, preventing lifting and keeping the underside surface perfectly clean.
• Right-Hand (RH) Rotation - matches the standard spindle direction of CNC routers and router tables, ensuring immediate compatibility without any special toolholder or collet requirements.
• 10-Pack Quantity - stocking a full set of 10 identical bits keeps production running during bit changes without downtime, and allows for a consistent cost-per-cut calculation in manufacturing environments.

Why This Product

• For CNC shops cutting plywood, MDF, or laminate panels where both the top and bottom face must be splinter-free, the up/downcut compression geometry eliminates the need for scoring passes or secondary cleanup - saving time and material waste.
• The DLCS modified diamond-like carbon coating gives this solid carbide bit enhanced load-bearing capacity, meaning it maintains its edge longer under the heat and friction of repeated production cuts - directly reducing cost per cut in high-throughput operations.
• Full solid carbide construction (not carbide-tipped) means the bit can be resharpened multiple times while maintaining its 2 + 2 compression geometry, offering a longer total service life for shops that invest in professional bit maintenance.
• The 10-pack format is purpose-built for industrial CNC operations where keeping multiple identical bits on hand ensures zero downtime during tool changes and supports consistent, repeatable cut quality across large production runs.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 190.506.41
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Product Type: Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Router Bit
• Diameter: 1/2"
• Cutting Height: 1 1/8"
• Lower Cutting Height: 15/32"
• Total Length: 3"
• Shank: 1/2"
• Number of Teeth: 2 + 2
• Blade Material: Solid Carbide (HWM Micrograin)
• Coating: DLCS Modified Diamond-Like Carbon (Chrome)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Pack Quantity: 10
• Macro Class: Router Cutter

Approved Applications

• CNC Routing (Through-Cuts)
• Through-Cuts in Plywood and MDF
• Two-Face Finish Cuts in Laminates and Melamine
• Routing in Solid Hardwood and Softwood
• Routing in Chipboard and Plastic
• Router Table Operations
• Handheld Router Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the two cutting height measurements - 1 1/8" and 15/32"?

This compression bit has two distinct cutting zones. The total cutting height is 1 1/8", which represents the full fluted length of the bit. The 15/32" measurement (I1) is the lower downcut cutting height - the portion of the flutes near the tip that cut in a downward direction to compress the bottom face of the workpiece and prevent tearout on the underside. The upper portion cuts upward to protect the top face. Together they deliver clean surfaces on both sides in a single through-cut pass.

What does DLCS coating mean and how does it benefit performance?

DLCS stands for a modified diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity. This specialized surface treatment reduces friction between the bit and the workpiece material, limiting heat buildup during cuts, resisting pitch and resin deposits, and extending tool life compared to uncoated solid carbide bits. It is described as CMT's ultimate technology for industrial CNC tools.

Is this bit compatible with standard CNC routers and router tables?

Yes. The bit features a 1/2" shank and right-hand (RH) rotation, which matches the standard collet size and spindle direction found on the vast majority of CNC routing machines, router tables, and handheld routers that accept 1/2" tooling. No special adapters or collets are required for standard 1/2" spindle setups.

What materials can this up/downcut compression bit cut cleanly?

This solid carbide compression bit is suitable for use in solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic. Its 2 + 2 compression geometry makes it especially effective in layered or faced materials like plywood, laminate, and melamine where both the top and bottom face surfaces must remain free of tearout or delamination.