The CMT 190.508.11 Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Bit is a professional-grade compression router bit engineered for clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of sheet goods - making it an essential tool for CNC routing operations involving plywood, MDF, laminates, and melamine. With its 1/2 in. diameter and right-hand rotation, this bit features a 2+2 tooth compression geometry that simultaneously shears upward and downward, eliminating tearout and delamination on both the top and bottom surfaces of the workpiece in a single through-cut pass.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide Construction - the entire bit body is manufactured from premium micrograin carbide (HWM grade), providing superior wear resistance and edge retention compared to carbide-tipped alternatives, which means longer tool life and more resharpening cycles between replacements.
• 2+2 Up/Downcut Compression Geometry - two upcut flutes and two downcut flutes work simultaneously to shear both faces of the workpiece cleanly, eliminating splintering, tearout, and delamination on the top and bottom surfaces during through-cuts in plywood, MDF, and laminated panels.
• 1/2 in. Shank Diameter - the full 1/2 in. shank provides a rigid, secure connection in router table collets and CNC spindle chucks, reducing vibration and deflection during high-feed-rate passes.
• 1 5/8 in. Total Cutting Height with 15/32 in. Initial Cutting Zone - the extended cutting length accommodates a wide range of panel thicknesses, while the defined 15/32 in. lower cutting zone ensures the downcut portion engages the bottom face effectively for a clean exit cut.
• 4 in. Total Length - the generous overall length allows adequate clearance above thick workpieces and spoilboards on CNC tables, making tool changes and depth adjustments more practical.
• Right-Hand Rotation - standard RH rotation is compatible with the vast majority of CNC routers, router tables, and handheld routers, ensuring broad machine compatibility without special setup requirements.

Why This Product

• Eliminates tearout on both faces in a single pass - the compression spiral design cuts upward and downward simultaneously, so plywood veneers, melamine coatings, and laminate surfaces remain intact on the top and bottom without requiring secondary finishing or sanding.
• Built for demanding CNC through-cut applications - with a solid carbide body, 1/2 in. shank, and 4 in. total length, this bit is dimensioned and constructed to handle the feed rates, depths of cut, and cycle volumes typical of production CNC routing environments.
• Versatile material compatibility - the 2+2 carbide geometry handles solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic, making this one bit suitable across a broad range of cabinet, furniture, and sign-making operations.
• Designed for resharpening - solid carbide construction allows the cutting edges to be reground multiple times before replacement, lowering the long-term cost per cut compared to carbide-tipped compression bits that offer fewer resharpening opportunities.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 190.508.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Product Type: Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Router Bit
• Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Cutting Height: 1 5/8 in.
• Initial Cutting Height: 15/32 in.
• Total Length: 4 in.
• Shank Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2 + 2
• Blade Material: Solid Carbide (HWM)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)

Approved Applications

• CNC Routing
• Through-Cuts in Plywood and MDF
• Two-Face Finish Cuts in Laminated Panels
• Cabinet and Furniture Panel Processing
• Routing in Melamine and Chipboard
• Plastic Routing