CMT 190.815.11 Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Bit is a professional-grade compression router bit engineered for clean, chip-free cuts on both faces of a workpiece in a single pass. Built entirely from solid micrograin carbide and spinning right-hand, this 1/2 in. diameter mortise compression spiral combines simultaneous upcut and downcut geometry - 3 upcut flutes paired with 3 downcut flutes - to eliminate tearout on the top and bottom surfaces of plywood, MDF, laminates, melamine, and hardwood panels. Designed for CNC routing machines, router tables, and handheld routers, this bit is the go-to choice when two-face finish quality is non-negotiable.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide Construction - manufactured entirely from premium micrograin carbide rather than carbide-tipped steel, delivering superior wear resistance and the ability to withstand more resharpening cycles before replacement, reducing long-term tooling cost.
• 3+3 Compression Spiral Geometry (Up/Downcut) - three upcut flutes and three downcut flutes work simultaneously to shear both the top and bottom faces of the board cleanly, eliminating the tearout and fraying that single-direction bits produce on one face during through-cuts.
• 1/2 in. Cutting Diameter with 1 1/8 in. Total Cutting Height - the full cutting zone reaches 1 1/8 in. deep, accommodating common panel thicknesses and allowing complete through-cuts in standard sheet goods without a second pass.
• 1/4 in. Downcut Cutting Height (I1) - the initial downcut zone at the tip measures 1/4 in., providing a controlled entry into the material that stabilizes the cut and reduces surface fiber lifting right from the start.
• 1/2 in. Shank - the full 1/2 in. shank delivers maximum rigidity in the collet, minimizing vibration and deflection during high-feed CNC routing passes for consistent cut quality across the entire workpiece.
• 3 in. Total Length - extended total length provides additional clearance above the workpiece, making this bit well-suited to fixture setups and spoilboard surfaces common in CNC routing environments.
• Right-Hand (RH) Rotation - standard right-hand rotation is compatible with the vast majority of CNC routers, router tables, and handheld routers, ensuring straightforward installation without requiring special toolholding.
• Optimized for HWM Material Class - specifically rated for hardwood and engineered wood materials including solid hardwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, melamine, and laminates, ensuring the flute geometry and edge preparation match the demands of these materials.
• CMT Orange Shield Non-Stick Coating - the proprietary protective coating reduces heat buildup during prolonged routing sessions, minimizes pitch and resin adhesion on the flutes, and guards against corrosion during storage, extending the usable life of the bit.

Why This Product

• No more sanding or edge cleanup on panel cuts - the 3+3 compression geometry cuts both faces simultaneously, so CNC through-cuts in plywood, melamine, and laminated panels come off the machine with clean edges on top and bottom - ready for assembly without secondary operations.
• Solid carbide outlasts carbide-tipped alternatives - because the entire tool body is micrograin carbide, the cutting edges retain sharpness longer under continuous CNC feed rates and can be resharpened multiple times, making this a cost-effective bit for production environments.
• Full 1 1/8 in. cutting height handles standard sheet goods in one pass - the cutting depth is matched to common plywood, MDF, and laminate panel thicknesses, eliminating the need for multiple passes or depth adjustments during typical through-cutting operations.
• Versatile across CNC machines, router tables, and handheld routers - the 1/2 in. shank and right-hand rotation make this compression bit compatible with a wide range of professional routing equipment, so one bit works across multiple setups in the shop.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 190.815.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Product Type: Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Spiral Router Bit
• Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Cutting Height: 1 1/8 in.
• Cutting Height (Downcut Zone): 1/4 in.
• Total Length: 3 in.
• Shank: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 3 + 3
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Blade Material: Solid Carbide (HWM)

Approved Applications

• CNC Routing - through-cuts and pattern cutting in panel materials
• Two-face finish cuts in plywood, MDF, and laminated panels
• Mortise and pocket routing in solid hardwood and engineered wood
• Melamine and chipboard cutting where tearout-free edges are required
• Plastic routing requiring clean entry and exit faces
• Router table and handheld router operations requiring compression geometry