Product Description
CMT 308.050.12 Dowel Drill - 5 x 30 x 57.5mm Left-Hand Rotation is a precision-engineered boring tool from CMT, built specifically for blind hole drilling in furniture manufacturing, cabinet making, and panel processing applications. Designed to cut clean, flat-bottomed dowel holes in solid wood, chipboard, MDF, laminates, and coated panels, this left-hand (LH) rotating drill delivers consistent bore quality across high-volume production environments. With a tungsten carbide (HW) cutting head, PTFE-coated spiral flutes, and a short-series 57.5mm overall length, it is well suited for multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centers where compact tooling is essential.
Key Features
- Tungsten Carbide (HW) Cutting Head with Precision-Balanced Centre Point - the carbide construction resists wear during high-cycle boring, and the balanced centre point ensures accurate hole location on entry, reducing wandering and keeping hole patterns consistent across a full production run.
- 2 Negatively Ground Spurs (V2) - negatively sharpened spurs score the material perimeter before the carbide edges remove waste, producing clean bore walls and a flat-bottom hole with minimal tearout on chipboard, MDF, and coated panels.
- 2 Precision-Ground Carbide Cutting Edges (Z2) - dual HW cutting edges deliver balanced cutting forces and smooth chip removal, extending tool life between resharpening intervals and maintaining hole diameter accuracy over time.
- 4 Spiral Flutes with PTFE Coating - the PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coating on the cutter portion prevents pitch and glue buildup in the flutes, keeping the tool running clean and reducing the need for frequent cleaning stoppages in production.
- Super-Strength Steel Body - the steel shank and body absorb vibration and handle the mechanical stress of multi-spindle boring, providing long-term structural integrity in demanding panel processing operations.
- Parallel Shank with Driving Flat and Length-Adjusting Screw - 10 x 20mm - the standardized shank format is compatible with conventional boring machine chucks and adapters, and the length-adjusting screw allows precise depth setting without additional tooling modifications.
- Left-Hand (LH) Rotation - engineered for left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle boring machines, ensuring correct cutting geometry and chip ejection direction when installed in the appropriate spindle location.
- Short Series Overall Length - 57.5mm - the compact 57.5mm body fits tight spindle-to-spindle spacing on multi-row boring heads, making it practical for high-density drilling configurations in furniture panel production.
Why This Product
- For woodworking shops and furniture manufacturers running left-hand spindle positions, this drill provides the correct LH rotation geometry needed for proper cutting action - using a right-hand drill in a left-hand spindle produces rough holes and premature tool failure.
- The combination of negatively ground spurs and a precision-balanced HW centre point means cleaner hole entry and exit on laminates and coated panels - materials where tearout is a visible defect that causes rejection in finished furniture panels.
- PTFE coating on the flutes directly addresses one of the most common productivity problems in panel boring: pitch and adhesive buildup that slows chip evacuation and causes burning or oversized holes - the coating extends intervals between cleaning and keeps cycle times predictable.
- At a 5mm cutting diameter with a 30mm cutting height and compact 57.5mm total length, this drill covers one of the most common dowel connection sizes in furniture construction, fitting directly into standard multi-spindle heads without requiring spacers or special adapters.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 308.050.12
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Dowel Drill
- Diameter: 5mm
- Cutting Height: 30mm
- Total Length: 57.5mm
- Shank: 10 x 20mm (parallel shank with driving flat and length-adjusting screw)
- Number of Flutes: 4
- Number of Cutting Edges: 2 (Z2)
- Number of Spurs: 2 (V2)
- Spur Sharpening: Negatively ground spurs
- Blade Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)
- Rotation: Left-Hand (LH)
- Cutter Coating: Black or orange PTFE
Approved Applications
- Blind hole drilling for dowel connections
- Panel drilling in furniture manufacturing
- Cabinet making and case construction
- Chipboard and MDF panel processing
- Hardwood and softwood boring
- Laminate and coated panel drilling
- Multi-spindle CNC boring machine operations
- CNC boring center and panel processing center use
- Boring machine operations with adapter or chuck
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this dowel drill use left-hand (LH) rotation instead of right-hand?
Multi-spindle boring machines used in furniture and panel production typically include both right-hand and left-hand spindle positions. Left-hand spindles require LH-rotation drills so that the cutting edges engage the material correctly - an LH drill on an LH spindle cuts efficiently and ejects chips in the right direction. Using a right-hand drill in a left-hand spindle would cause the tool to rub rather than cut, producing rough holes, heat buildup, and rapid tool wear.
What does the PTFE coating on the flutes actually do during drilling?
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a low-friction coating applied to the cutter portion of the drill. During boring operations in chipboard, MDF, and laminated panels, resins, adhesives, and wood pitch can accumulate in the flutes. The PTFE coating reduces adhesion of these materials to the tool surface, preventing buildup that would otherwise restrict chip flow, increase cutting temperatures, and cause bore diameter to drift. This helps maintain consistent hole quality and extends the useful life of the tool between cleaning or resharpening intervals.
What is the purpose of the negatively ground spurs on a dowel drill?
The 2 negatively ground spurs (V2) on this drill are positioned at the outer perimeter of the cutting head. As the drill enters the workpiece, the spurs score and sever the material fibers at the edge of the hole before the main cutting edges remove the core. This pre-scoring action is especially important in laminates, coated panels, and veneered chipboard, where the surface layer is prone to chipping or delaminating at the hole perimeter. The result is a cleaner, crisper bore edge that requires no secondary finishing.
Is the 10 x 20mm parallel shank compatible with standard CNC boring machine chucks?
Yes. The 10 x 20mm parallel shank with driving flat is a widely used format in multi-spindle CNC boring machines, boring centers, and panel processing centers. The driving flat engages the chuck's set screw to prevent rotational slipping under load, and the length-adjusting screw allows the operator to set the drill projection precisely without shimming or re-chucking. This shank format is also compatible with boring machines that use an adapter or conventional chuck.
Reviews
FAQs
Standard Shipping is free on most orders over $50 within the contiguous US. If the order is under $50.00, the shipping is $9.99 set fee for shipping within the contiguous US.
Most of our products will ship within 1 to 3 Business Days. Some Special order products will ship within 2 to 5 Business Days. Preorders will be shipped to you on a first come first serve basis as soon as available from the manufacturer. Items that are "Made-to-Order" (Custom order products) will be shipped when fabrication is completed, shipping and delivery times will vary and depend on manufacturing.
Products that are shipped directly from the manufacturer will have processing and fulfilment times subject to manufacturer availability.
Preorders are shipped on a first come first serve basis as soon as available from the manufacturer, the sooner you place your Preorder the sooner your order will ship.
Freight shipping Policy:
Orders/Items too large or heavy may require special handling/Shipping and may require to be sent by truck. Someone must be present to accept truck deliveries. Standard truck delivery is to a dock facility designed to receive freight. You will be notified within 24 hours of ordering to confirm delivery. Lift gates for deliveries are available for an additional fee.
We offer Financing options through Clicklease
Please email your Return request to info@FactoryDirectSupplyOnline.com
Include the order number and the reason for your return.
All returns, regardless of their categorization, must include all original parts, be in their original packaging, and in the condition in which they were received. You may not qualify to receive a refund If the returned item is used, damaged, missing any parts, or is damaged during return shipping.
Checkout our complete Return policy
You can contact us through our contact page! We will be happy to assist you.