CMT 190.517.11 Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Mortising Bit is a precision compression router bit engineered for clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of a workpiece in a single pass. With a 1/2 in. cutting diameter, 2+2 tooth compression geometry, and full solid carbide construction, this right-hand spiral mortising bit is built for demanding CNC routing operations where surface quality on both the top and bottom face matters. Whether you are routing through plywood, MDF, melamine, or laminated panels, this mortising bit delivers the dual-direction cutting action needed to eliminate tearout and produce finished edges without secondary cleanup.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide Construction - the entire bit is manufactured from premium micrograin carbide, providing superior hardness and wear resistance compared to carbide-tipped alternatives, which means longer tool life and more resharpenings before replacement is needed.
• Up/Downcut Compression Geometry (2+2 Teeth) - simultaneous upcut and downcut spiral flutes shear both the top and bottom face of the workpiece at once, eliminating tearout and delamination on double-sided materials like melamine, laminate, and veneer plywood.
• 1/2 in. Cutting Diameter - sized for precise mortise slots and through-cuts, giving routers and CNC machines a repeatable, accurate kerf suited to joinery and panel work.
• 1 3/8 in. Cutting Height - sufficient depth to handle full through-cuts in standard sheet goods and solid wood panels, reducing the need for multiple passes on common material thicknesses.
• 13/64 in. Secondary Cutting Height (I1) - the downcut portion of the compression geometry is optimized to hold the top face firmly during the cut, keeping the surface clean regardless of material brittleness or grain direction.
• 1/2 in. Shank Diameter - compatible with 1/2 in. collets on CNC routers, router tables, and handheld routers, providing maximum rigidity and reduced vibration during high-feed-rate operations.
• Right-Hand Rotation - matches the standard spindle direction of virtually all routers and CNC routing machines, making this bit a direct drop-in for any conventional setup without special toolholder requirements.
• 3 1/2 in. Total Length - provides adequate clearance for reach in router table and CNC applications while maintaining stiffness to minimize deflection during cuts.

Why This Product

• If you are routing double-sided melamine, veneer plywood, or laminated MDF and need both faces to come out chip-free in one pass, the 2+2 compression spiral design addresses that problem directly - no sanding, no edge banding to hide tearout.
• Solid carbide construction means this bit holds an edge significantly longer than carbide-tipped spiral bits when running abrasive sheet goods like MDF or chipboard, reducing downtime for tool changes during production runs.
• The 1/2 in. shank on a 1/2 in. diameter bit provides a full-shank-to-cutting-diameter ratio that maximizes stability, making it well suited to high-feed CNC routing where chatter and deflection can compromise mortise accuracy.
• With a 1 3/8 in. cutting height and 3 1/2 in. total length, this mortising bit covers standard sheet material thicknesses in a single plunge, making it a practical choice for cabinet shops, furniture manufacturers, and CNC operators who need throughcut mortises routed cleanly and efficiently.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 190.517.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Product Type: Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Mortising Bit
• Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Cutting Height: 1 3/8 in.
• Secondary Cutting Height: 13/64 in.
• Total Length: 3 1/2 in.
• Shank Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2 + 2
• Blade Material: Solid Carbide
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Compatible Material: HWM

Approved Applications

• CNC Routing
• Through-Cuts in Plywood and MDF
• Two-Face Finish Cuts in Melamine and Laminates
• Spiral Mortising in Solid Hardwood and Softwood
• Panel Processing in Chipboard and Plastic
• Router Table Operations
• Handheld Router Cutting