CMT 308.040.12 Dowel Drill - 5/32" x 1 1/32" x 2 17/64" Left-Hand is a precision-engineered, carbide-tipped boring tool from CMT, purpose-built for clean, flat-bottom blind hole drilling in panel processing and woodworking applications. With a 4mm cutting diameter and left-hand rotation, this short-series dowel drill is engineered to produce accurate, splinter-free bores in solid hardwood, softwood, chipboard, MDF, HDF, plywood, laminates, and coated panels. Its compact 57.5mm overall length and 10x20mm parallel shank make it a direct-fit solution for multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centers that require consistent, repeatable hole quality at production speeds.

Key Features

• Tungsten Carbide (HW) Cutting Material - hard-metal carbide delivers long-lasting edge retention and resists wear when boring abrasive materials like MDF, chipboard, and coated panels, reducing tool change frequency in production environments.
• Left-Hand (LH) Rotation - engineered specifically for left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle CNC boring machines and boring centers, ensuring the cutting geometry engages the workpiece correctly for clean entry and exit.
• Negatively Ground Spurs (2 spurs) - precision-sharpened in a negative grind geometry, the spurs score the surface fibers ahead of the cutting flutes, producing flat-bottom holes with smooth bore walls and virtually no tearout or fraying on laminates and coated panels.
• 2-Flute, 2-Spur Geometry - the twin-flute, twin-spur configuration efficiently clears chips from the bore, reducing heat buildup and maintaining hole quality over extended production runs.
• 10x20mm Parallel Shank - the standardized shank with driving flat ensures secure, concentric seating in multi-spindle boring machine chucks and adapters, minimizing runout and preserving hole location accuracy.
• Short-Series Length (57.5mm overall) - the compact 57.5mm body with a 26mm cutting height is optimized for blind hole drilling depth, keeping the tool rigid and reducing deflection for straighter, more dimensionally consistent bores.

Why This Product

• Left-hand rotation means this drill fills a specific positional requirement on multi-spindle boring machines - using the wrong rotation direction causes poor hole quality and premature wear, so having the correct LH version is critical for production accuracy.
• The carbide (HW) cutting material stands up to the abrasive nature of chipboard, MDF, and laminated panel stock, making this an appropriate choice for cabinet shops and panel processors that bore hundreds of holes per shift.
• Negatively ground spurs protect the face surface of coated panels and laminates at the moment of entry, reducing the scrap rate caused by surface tearout - a direct quality-control benefit in finished panel work.
• The standardized 10x20mm shank is a common fit for CNC boring centers and multi-spindle machines, making this a straightforward drop-in replacement without custom adapters or special toolholding.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 308.040.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 4mm (5/32")
• Cutting Height: 26mm (1 1/32")
• Total Length: 57.5mm (2 17/64")
• Shank: 10x20mm
• Rotation: Left-Hand (LH)
• Number of Flutes: 2
• Number of Spurs: 2
• Spur Sharpening: Negatively ground spurs
• Blade Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)
• Product Type: Dowel Drill - Short Series

Approved Applications

• Blind hole dowel boring in solid hardwood and softwood
• Flat-bottom hole drilling in chipboard and particleboard
• Precision boring in MDF and HDF panels
• Clean-entry drilling in laminates and coated panels
• Plywood panel processing on multi-spindle CNC boring machines
• Cabinet and furniture panel boring on CNC boring centers and panel processing equipment