CMT 310.080.42 Dowel Drill - 5/16" x 27 x 57.5mm Left-Hand Rotation is a solid carbide boring bit engineered for precision blind-hole drilling in furniture manufacturing, cabinet making, and panel processing applications. Built entirely from premium super micrograin carbide sourced from Ceratizit, this short-series dowel drill delivers exceptionally clean bores with minimal drilling resistance - making it a reliable choice for high-speed boring units and CNC routers handling hardwood, MDF, particle board, veneered panels, and other difficult composites.

Key Features

• Solid carbide (HW) construction throughout - the entire bit body is super micrograin carbide, not just the tip, providing extra structural integrity and allowing an almost infinite number of resharpenings over the tool's service life.
• Extreme sharpening rating - the bit maintains a resharpenable edge far longer between service intervals, reducing downtime and lowering cost per bore in production environments.
• 2 curved, negatively ground spurs (V2) - the unique spur geometry scores the perimeter of the bore before material is removed, producing exceptionally clean hole walls and flat-bottomed blind holes with no rough edges or tearout on even the most demanding composite panels.
• Centre-point balanced tip design - the plunge edge extends all the way to the centre of the bit, reducing drilling resistance and increasing production speed on multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centres.
• Cylindrical head larger than traditional designs - the oversized head is extremely resistant to prolonged use, maintaining bore diameter accuracy across long production runs without premature wear.
• Left-hand (LH) rotation - purpose-built for left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle boring machines, ensuring correct chip evacuation and surface quality on the exit face of the panel.
• 10 x 27mm parallel shank with driving flat - the driving flat locks the bit securely in the chuck or adapter, preventing slippage under load and maintaining positional accuracy during high-cycle production use.
• 2 cutting edges and 2 spiral flutes (Z2) - the twin-flute geometry balances cutting forces and efficiently clears chips from the bore, keeping the hole clean and reducing heat buildup in continuous production.

Why This Product

• Designed for demanding composite materials - solid carbide construction and negatively ground spurs make this bit ideal for particle board, MDF, and veneered wood where standard steel or carbide-tipped bits may cause tearout or rapid edge degradation.
• Engineered for production-rate CNC environments - the centre-balanced plunge edge reduces drilling resistance, helping high-speed boring units and CNC routers maintain cycle times without sacrificing hole quality.
• Long-term value through resharpenability - because the bit is a solid carbide unit rather than a tipped tool, it can be resharpened an almost indefinite number of times, making it a cost-effective investment for shops with ongoing dowel-boring production.
• Precise left-hand spindle compatibility - the LH rotation designation means this bit is matched to the correct spindle side on multi-spindle boring machines, ensuring proper chip flow and clean bore entry on both faces of the workpiece.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 310.080.42
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 5/16"
• Cutting Height: 27mm
• Total Length: 57.5mm
• Shank: 10 x 27mm
• Rotation: Left-Hand (LH)
• Number of Cutting Edges: 2
• Number of Spurs: 2
• Blade Material: HW (Solid Super Micrograin Carbide)
• Sharpening Rating: Extreme
• Series: Short Series (57.5mm)

Approved Applications

• Blind hole drilling for dowel connections in furniture and cabinet assembly
• Panel drilling on multi-spindle CNC boring machines and boring centres
• Furniture manufacturing and flat-pack panel processing
• Cabinet making and casework production
• Drilling hardwood, softwood, particle board, MDF, HDF, veneered panels, and difficult composite materials
• High-speed boring unit production lines
• CNC router boring operations