Product Description
The CMT 190.504.41 Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Bit is a professional-grade compression router bit engineered for clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of the workpiece simultaneously. Built entirely from solid micrograin carbide and finished with a DLCS (diamond-like carbon) chrome coating, this 3/8 in. bit is purpose-built for demanding CNC routing applications in plywood, MDF, laminates, melamine, and a wide range of solid and composite materials. The compression geometry - combining an upcut spiral and a downcut spiral in a single tool - eliminates tearout on both the top and bottom surfaces during through-cuts, making it the go-to choice for cabinet makers, millwork shops, and production CNC operators who cannot afford surface defects on finished panels.
Key Features
- Solid Carbide Construction (HWM Grade): The entire bit is machined from premium micrograin carbide - not just the cutting edges - delivering exceptional hardness and wear resistance that extends tool life well beyond carbide-tipped alternatives and supports multiple resharpenings.
- DLCS Diamond-Like Carbon Coating: The DLCS chrome coating is a modified diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity, reducing friction and heat buildup at the cutting edge so the bit stays sharper longer under heavy CNC production loads.
- Up/Downcut Compression Geometry (Z2+2): Two upcut and two downcut flutes work together simultaneously, shearing the top and bottom faces of the workpiece cleanly and eliminating the tearout and splintering that single-direction spiral bits can produce on veneered or laminated panels.
- 3/8 in. Shank: Matches standard CNC collet sizes, providing a secure, vibration-minimizing grip that contributes to accurate, repeatable cuts across long production runs.
- 1 1/8 in. Cutting Height with 9/32 in. Lower Cutting Zone: The geometry provides a well-proportioned downcut section at the bottom of the flute length, giving the bit effective compression performance across a practical range of panel thicknesses commonly used in woodworking and fabrication.
- 3 in. Total Length: Provides sufficient clearance for collet reach and CNC tool holder setups without excessive overhang that could introduce chatter.
- Right-Hand Rotation: Designed for standard right-hand CNC spindles and router table setups, ensuring compatibility with the vast majority of routing equipment used in professional shops.
Why This Product
- For through-cuts in double-sided melamine, veneered plywood, or laminated panels, the up/downcut compression design is the most direct solution to getting a clean edge on both faces in a single pass - eliminating the need for scoring passes or post-cut cleanup.
- The solid carbide construction with DLCS coating makes this bit well suited to high-duty-cycle CNC production environments where tool longevity and consistent cut quality directly affect output quality and cost per cut.
- The 3/8 in. shank and 3 in. total length fit a wide range of CNC router collet configurations, reducing the need for adapters or specialized tooling when switching between machines in a multi-station shop.
- With a 2+2 flute configuration (upcut plus downcut), this bit handles chipout control on both work faces at once - making it a practical single-tool solution for cabinet box parts, drawer components, and panel processing where both faces are visible in the finished product.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 190.504.41
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Up/Downcut Spiral Router Bit
- Diameter: 3/8 in.
- Cutting Height: 1 1/8 in.
- Lower Cutting Height (I1): 9/32 in.
- Total Length: 3 in.
- Shank Diameter: 3/8 in.
- Number of Teeth: 2 + 2
- Blade Material: Solid Carbide (HWM)
- Coating: DLCS Diamond-Like Carbon Chrome Coating
- Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
- Macro Class: Router Cutter
Approved Applications
- CNC through-cuts in plywood and veneered panels
- MDF routing and panel processing
- Double-sided laminate and melamine cutting
- Chipboard and composite board fabrication
- Solid hardwood and softwood routing
- Plastic sheet cutting and profiling
- Two-face finish cuts requiring chip-free surfaces on top and bottom
- Cabinet box parts and drawer component production
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the upcut zone and the downcut zone on this bit?
This bit uses a 2+2 flute configuration - two flutes cut in an upward spiral direction and two flutes cut in a downward spiral direction. The downcut section at the bottom (9/32 in. cutting height) pulls the workpiece surface downward to prevent tearout on the top face, while the upcut section above it clears chips upward. Together they compress the cut from both directions, producing clean edges on the top and bottom surfaces simultaneously during through-cuts.
What does DLCS coating mean and how does it benefit the bit?
DLCS stands for a modified diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity. This chrome-based coating reduces friction between the cutting edge and the workpiece material, minimizes heat buildup during high-speed CNC routing, and extends the working life of the solid carbide bit - particularly important in production environments where the bit is in continuous use across multiple material types.
Is this bit compatible with a handheld router or only CNC machines?
The 3/8 in. shank is compatible with CNC routing machines, router tables, and handheld routers that accept a 3/8 in. collet. However, the up/downcut compression geometry delivers its full benefit during through-cuts, which are most consistently achieved on a CNC routing machine where feed rate and depth of cut can be precisely controlled.
What materials is this solid carbide spiral bit designed to cut?
This bit is designed for use in solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic. The solid carbide construction and DLCS coating make it suitable for abrasive composite materials like MDF and laminated panels that would quickly wear down less durable tooling.
Reviews
FAQs
Standard Shipping is free on most orders over $50 within the contiguous US. If the order is under $50.00, the shipping is $9.99 set fee for shipping within the contiguous US.
Most of our products will ship within 1 to 3 Business Days. Some Special order products will ship within 2 to 5 Business Days. Preorders will be shipped to you on a first come first serve basis as soon as available from the manufacturer. Items that are "Made-to-Order" (Custom order products) will be shipped when fabrication is completed, shipping and delivery times will vary and depend on manufacturing.
Products that are shipped directly from the manufacturer will have processing and fulfilment times subject to manufacturer availability.
Preorders are shipped on a first come first serve basis as soon as available from the manufacturer, the sooner you place your Preorder the sooner your order will ship.
Freight shipping Policy:
Orders/Items too large or heavy may require special handling/Shipping and may require to be sent by truck. Someone must be present to accept truck deliveries. Standard truck delivery is to a dock facility designed to receive freight. You will be notified within 24 hours of ordering to confirm delivery. Lift gates for deliveries are available for an additional fee.
We offer Financing options through Clicklease
Please email your Return request to info@FactoryDirectSupplyOnline.com
Include the order number and the reason for your return.
All returns, regardless of their categorization, must include all original parts, be in their original packaging, and in the condition in which they were received. You may not qualify to receive a refund If the returned item is used, damaged, missing any parts, or is damaged during return shipping.
Checkout our complete Return policy
You can contact us through our contact page! We will be happy to assist you.