Product Description
CMT 190.515.11 Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Mortising Bit is a premium compression spiral router bit engineered for clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of a workpiece simultaneously. Built entirely from solid micrograin carbide and configured with a 2+2 tooth up/downcut geometry, this 1/2 in. diameter mortising bit delivers professional-grade performance on CNC routers, router tables, and handheld routers when cutting through plywood, MDF, laminates, melamine, and solid wood. The simultaneous upward and downward cutting action makes this bit especially valuable wherever tearout on both faces of a panel is unacceptable - from cabinet shop production to fine woodworking applications.
Key Features
- Solid Micrograin Carbide Construction - the entire bit body is manufactured from premium solid carbide rather than carbide-tipped steel, delivering superior wear resistance and allowing more resharpenings over the life of the tool so you get a longer-lasting cutting edge between replacements.
- Up/Downcut Compression Geometry (2+2 Flutes) - two upcut flutes and two downcut flutes work simultaneously to shear both the top and bottom face of the workpiece cleanly, eliminating tearout and splintering on through-cuts in veneered plywood, melamine, and laminated panels.
- 1/2 in. Shank Diameter - the full 1/2 in. shank provides a rigid, low-vibration connection to your router collet, improving cut accuracy and surface finish quality compared to smaller shank options.
- 7/8 in. Cutting Height with 13/64 in. Upper Cutting Zone - the defined cutting height accommodates typical panel thicknesses while the 13/64 in. secondary cutting height dimension gives the downcut zone the reach needed to cleanly engage the top face of the material.
- 3 in. Total Length - the overall 3 in. length provides sufficient clearance for use in CNC tool changers and standard router collet assemblies without excessive overhang that could introduce flex.
- Right-Hand Rotation - compatible with the standard right-hand rotation direction of virtually all CNC spindles, router table motors, and handheld routers, making this a drop-in fit for existing setups.
- CMT Orange Shield Non-Stick Coating - CMT's proprietary protective coating resists pitch and resin buildup, reduces heat accumulation during cutting, and guards against corrosion, keeping the bit cleaner between uses and extending overall tool life.
Why This Product
- Eliminates double-sided tearout in a single pass - the 2+2 compression flute configuration cuts upward and downward at the same time, making it the right choice for through-cuts in veneered panels and melamine where any surface tearout is a costly defect.
- Full solid carbide durability for production demands - unlike carbide-tipped alternatives, this bit is made entirely from solid micrograin carbide, meaning it holds a sharper edge longer and can be resharpened more times before replacement - a meaningful advantage in high-volume CNC routing environments.
- Versatile compatibility across materials - the cutting geometry and carbide hardness handle solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic, reducing the number of specialty bits needed in a typical shop.
- Purpose-built for mortising and through-cuts on CNC platforms - the combination of 1/2 in. shank, 3 in. total length, and compression spiral geometry makes this bit well-suited for CNC mortising operations where consistent wall quality and face cleanliness are required on every part.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 190.515.11
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Mortising Bit
- Diameter: 1/2 in.
- Cutting Height: 7/8 in.
- Upper Cutting Height: 13/64 in.
- Total Length: 3 in.
- Shank Diameter: 1/2 in.
- Number of Teeth: 2 + 2
- Blade Material: Solid Carbide
- Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
- Compatible Material: HWM (Solid Hardwood, MDF, and related engineered wood products)
Approved Applications
- CNC Routing and Mortising
- Through-Cuts in Plywood and MDF
- Two-Face Finish Cuts in Veneered Panels
- Cutting Laminates and Melamine
- Routing Solid Hardwood and Softwood
- Chipboard and Plastic Routing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an up/downcut compression bit and a standard upcut or downcut spiral bit?
A standard upcut spiral pulls chips upward and can cause tearout on the top face of the workpiece. A standard downcut pushes chips down and can cause tearout on the bottom face. An up/downcut compression bit like the CMT 190.515.11 combines both cutting directions using 2 upcut flutes and 2 downcut flutes simultaneously, shearing both faces cleanly in a single pass - making it ideal for through-cuts in veneered plywood, melamine, and laminated panels where tearout on either face is unacceptable.
What machines is this bit compatible with?
This bit is designed for use with CNC routing machines, router tables, and handheld routers. It features a 1/2 in. shank and right-hand rotation, which is compatible with the standard collet size and rotation direction found on the vast majority of these machines.
What materials can this bit cut?
The CMT 190.515.11 is suited for cutting solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic. The solid micrograin carbide construction provides the hardness and wear resistance needed to handle both natural wood and engineered panel products cleanly.
Can this bit be resharpened, and what are the advantages of solid carbide over carbide-tipped construction?
Yes. Because the CMT 190.515.11 is manufactured entirely from solid micrograin carbide rather than using carbide tips brazed to a steel body, the entire flute profile can be resharpened multiple times. Solid carbide bits generally allow more resharpenings than carbide-tipped bits before the cutting geometry is compromised, making them a cost-effective long-term choice for shops with demanding production schedules.
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