Product Description
CMT 310.047.12 Dowel Drill - 3/16" x 27 x 57.5mm Left-Hand Rotation by CMT is a precision-engineered, short-series boring bit built for clean, accurate blind-hole drilling in panel processing and furniture manufacturing applications. With a tungsten carbide (HW) cutting head, negatively ground spurs, and a PTFE-coated spiral, this left-hand rotation dowel drill delivers consistently flat-bottom holes with minimal tearout in solid wood, chipboard, MDF, laminates, and coated panels. Designed for use in multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centers, it is an essential tool for high-volume cabinet making and dowel joinery work.
Key Features
- Tungsten Carbide (HW) Cutting Head with 2 Precision-Ground Cutting Edges (Z2) - carbide construction maintains a sharp, consistent edge far longer than standard high-speed steel, reducing downtime and regrinding frequency in production environments.
- 2 Negatively Ground Spurs (V2) - the negative spur geometry scores the perimeter of the hole before material is removed, producing clean bore walls and crisp entry points with no rough edges or fiber tearout in chipboard, MDF, laminates, and hardwood.
- PTFE-Coated Spiral Flutes - the orange or black PTFE coating on the spiral portion resists pitch, resin, and adhesive buildup, keeping the flutes clear for smooth chip evacuation and extended tool life across high-cycle production runs.
- Precision-Balanced Centre Point - the HW head features a precision-balanced centre point that self-locates on entry, improving positional accuracy and reducing wandering when drilling at high spindle speeds.
- Parallel Shank with Driving Flat and Length-Adjusting Screw - the 10 x 27mm shank is compatible with standard boring machine chucks and adapters; the driving flat prevents rotation under load, and the length-adjusting screw allows fine depth calibration without removing the bit.
- Left-Hand (LH) Rotation - engineered specifically for left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle boring machines, ensuring correct cutting geometry and chip evacuation direction when installed in the appropriate spindle.
- Super-Strength Steel Body - the premium-quality steel body resists flex and vibration at operating speeds, supporting the carbide head and maintaining concentricity for repeatable hole quality across large production batches.
Why This Product
- The short-series 57.5mm overall length and 27mm cutting height make this bit well-suited for tight spindle-spacing configurations on multi-spindle CNC boring centers and panel processing equipment where clearance between adjacent spindles is limited.
- The combination of negatively ground spurs and a precision carbide cutting head means cleaner hole entry and exit in coated and laminated panel materials - reducing rejects and rework in furniture and cabinet production lines.
- Left-hand rotation compatibility fills a specific requirement in dual-sided or multi-spindle boring setups where right-hand bits cannot be substituted without reversing cutting geometry - this bit is built specifically for that application.
- The PTFE-coated flutes and super-strength steel construction address two of the most common causes of premature bit failure in panel drilling - resin fouling and body fatigue - extending the service interval between tool changes.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 310.047.12
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Dowel Drill
- Diameter: 3/16"
- Cutting Height: 27mm
- Total Length: 57.5mm
- Shank: 10 x 27mm parallel shank with driving flat and length-adjusting screw
- Number of Flutes: 2
- Number of Cutting Edges: 2
- Number of Spurs: 2
- Spur Sharpening: Negatively ground spurs
- Blade Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)
- Rotation: Left-Hand (LH)
- PTFE Coating: Spiral portion coated with orange or black PTFE
Approved Applications
- Blind hole drilling for dowel connections and dowel joinery
- Panel drilling in furniture manufacturing and cabinet making
- Drilling in solid hardwood and softwood
- Drilling in chipboard and particle board
- Drilling in MDF and HDF
- Drilling in plywood and multi-layer panels
- Drilling in laminates and coated panels
- Drilling in plastics
- Left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle CNC boring machines
- CNC boring centers and panel processing centers
- Boring machines with adapter or chuck
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this bit designated Left-Hand (LH) rotation, and how do I know if I need it?
Left-hand rotation means the bit is designed to cut when spinning counter-clockwise, as viewed from the shank end. Multi-spindle boring machines and CNC boring centers often have dedicated left-hand spindle positions where a standard right-hand bit would cut incorrectly, dragging rather than shearing the material. Always match the bit rotation to your spindle's designated rotation direction. If your spindle is labeled LH or counter-clockwise, this is the correct bit.
What does the PTFE coating on the spiral flutes do in practice?
The PTFE coating on the spiral portion of this dowel drill acts as a non-stick barrier between the flute surface and the resins, adhesives, and pitch found in chipboard, MDF, laminates, and coated panels. Without this coating, these materials tend to foul the flutes quickly, increasing friction and heat. The coated flutes shed buildup more readily, maintaining cleaner chip evacuation and reducing the frequency of mid-run cleaning or bit changes.
What is the purpose of the negatively ground spurs on this dowel drill?
The 2 negatively ground spurs score and sever the material fibers at the outer edge of the hole before the main cutting edges remove the core. This two-step cutting action is particularly important when drilling laminated panels, coated surfaces, and veneered chipboard, where a clean, defined perimeter is needed to prevent surface delamination or chip-out at the entry point. The negative grind geometry is optimized for these engineered wood and composite panel materials.
What shank size and drive configuration does this bit use?
This dowel drill uses a 10 x 27mm parallel shank with a driving flat and a length-adjusting screw. The parallel shank fits standard boring machine chucks and adapters designed for 10mm shanks. The driving flat prevents the bit from rotating within the chuck under cutting load, while the length-adjusting screw allows the operator to set precise drilling depth without removing the bit from the spindle - a useful feature when calibrating a multi-spindle boring head for consistent hole depth across all positions.
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