Product Description
CMT 310.160.12 Dowel Drill 16 x 27 x 57.5mm LH is a left-hand rotation, 2-flute carbide-tipped boring bit engineered for precision blind-hole drilling in furniture manufacturing, cabinet making, and panel processing applications. Designed for use in multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centers, this short-series dowel drill features a hardmetal (HW) cutting head with negatively ground spurs and a PTFE-coated spiral to deliver clean, flat-bottom bores in chipboard, MDF, solid wood, plywood, laminates, and coated panels.
Key Features
- 2 HW precision-ground cutting edges (Z2) - tungsten carbide cutting edges stay sharp longer under the continuous demands of production boring, reducing downtime and regrind frequency.
- 2 negatively ground spurs (V2) - negative spur geometry scores the perimeter of the bore cleanly before material is removed, eliminating tearout and producing smooth, chip-free hole walls in coated and laminated panels.
- PTFE-coated spiral flutes - the orange or black PTFE coating on the spiral portion prevents pitch, resin, and adhesive buildup, keeping the flutes clear so chips evacuate freely and the bit runs cooler during repeated drilling cycles.
- Precision-balanced centre point - the HW centre point self-locates accurately at the start of each bore, reducing wander and ensuring consistent hole placement across high-volume panel drilling operations.
- Super-strength steel body - the premium-quality steel shank resists flex and fatigue, maintaining concentricity between the cutting head and the 10 x 27mm parallel shank with driving flat.
- Parallel shank with driving flat and length-adjusting screw - the 10 x 27mm parallel shank is compatible with standard boring machine collets and chucks, and the length-adjusting screw allows precise depth setting without additional tooling.
- Left-hand (LH) rotation - designed specifically for left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle boring machines, ensuring the correct cutting geometry engages the workpiece for clean bore entry and exit.
- Short series total length of 57.5mm - the compact overall length reduces overhang and vibration, making this bit well-suited to close-pitched multi-spindle heads where clearance between units is limited.
Why This Product
- The combination of negatively ground spurs and a precision HW cutting head makes this bit a reliable choice when drilling coated panels, laminates, or veneered chipboard where surface tearout would require rework or cause reject panels.
- The PTFE coating on the spiral actively resists the pitch and glue commonly encountered when boring MDF, particleboard, and pre-glued panel stock, extending the usable life of the bit between sharpenings in production environments.
- The 10 x 27mm parallel shank with driving flat and length-adjusting screw fits standard boring machine tooling directly, making it straightforward to set up and replace on multi-spindle CNC boring centers and panel processing lines.
- With a 16mm diameter and 27mm cutting height, this bit is sized for common dowel-joint specifications used in flat-pack and assembled furniture, cabinet carcass construction, and shelf pin drilling.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 310.160.12
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Diameter: 16mm
- Cutting Height: 27mm
- Total Length: 57.5mm
- Shank: 10 x 27mm (parallel shank with driving flat)
- Number of Flutes: 2
- Number of Spurs: 2
- Number of Teeth: 2
- Spur Sharpening: Negatively ground spurs
- Blade Material: HW (hardmetal / tungsten carbide)
- Rotation: Left-hand (LH)
- Spiral Coating: Orange or black PTFE
- Product Type: Dowel Drill - Short Series
Approved Applications
- Blind hole drilling for dowel joint connections
- Panel drilling in furniture manufacturing
- Cabinet carcass and carcase construction boring
- Flat-pack furniture component drilling
- Shelf pin and hardware insert boring
- Multi-spindle CNC boring machine operations (left-hand spindle positions)
- CNC boring center panel processing
- Boring machine operations with adapter or chuck
- Chipboard drilling
- MDF and HDF boring
- Solid hardwood and softwood dowel hole drilling
- Plywood, laminate, and coated panel boring
Frequently Asked Questions
What does left-hand (LH) rotation mean and how do I know if this bit is right for my machine?
Left-hand rotation means the bit spins counter-clockwise when viewed from the cutting end. Multi-spindle boring machines and CNC boring centers use both right-hand and left-hand spindles arranged in pairs or rows. This bit is designed specifically for left-hand spindle positions. Confirm the rotation direction of each spindle position on your machine before selecting LH or RH bits.
What is the PTFE coating on the spiral flutes and why does it matter?
The spiral portion of this dowel drill is coated with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) in either orange or black. This low-friction coating prevents pitch, resin, and adhesive from bonding to the flute surface during drilling. Keeping the flutes clear helps chips evacuate efficiently, reduces heat buildup, and maintains consistent cutting performance over longer production runs.
What is the purpose of the negatively ground spurs on this dowel drill?
The 2 negatively ground spurs score the circumference of the hole before the main cutting edges remove the core material. This pre-scoring action severs the surface fibers cleanly and prevents the edges of the bore from chipping or tearing, which is especially important when drilling coated panels, laminates, and veneered chipboard where cosmetic quality of the hole opening matters.
Can this bit be resharpened after it dulls?
Yes. The HW (hardmetal / tungsten carbide) cutting head is precision ground and designed to be resharpened. The length-adjusting screw on the parallel shank allows the bit to be repositioned after sharpening to maintain the correct projection and cutting depth, making it practical to restore and reuse the bit rather than replacing it immediately.
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