CMT 311.080.42 Dowel Drill 5/16" x 35 x 70mm Left-Hand by CMT is a solid carbide boring bit engineered for high-precision dowel hole drilling in furniture manufacturing, cabinet making, and panel processing. Built from premium super micrograin carbide, this 5/16" diameter drill delivers exceptionally clean, burr-free bores in hardwood, MDF, particle board, and veneered wood - making it a reliable choice for CNC routers, high-speed boring units, and multi-spindle boring machines. The left-hand rotation design integrates seamlessly into standard cabinet boring configurations where LH bits are required, and the 70mm total length provides the reach needed for deeper blind-hole applications.

Key Features

• Solid super micrograin carbide construction - the entire bit is machined from premium quality carbide sourced from Luxembourg, providing exceptional hardness and wear resistance that allows an almost infinite number of resharpenings, reducing long-term tooling cost.
• Curved, negatively ground spurs (2 spurs) - the unique tip geometry produces exceptionally clear bore walls and flat-bottom holes with no rough edges, resulting in higher-quality dowel joints and cleaner panel surfaces that require no secondary finishing.
• Centre-point balanced tip - ensures the bit registers accurately at the start of each bore, reducing drift and producing consistently on-location holes critical for dowel alignment in furniture and cabinet assemblies.
• Plunge edge extending to the centre of the bit - reduces drilling resistance so the bit cuts more freely, increasing production speed and extending the interval between resharpenings for lower downtime.
• Larger-than-traditional cylindrical head - offers superior resistance to prolonged use compared to conventional tip designs, meaning the bit maintains accurate cutting geometry longer under continuous production conditions.
• Solid carbide one-piece construction - eliminates the brazed joint found in carbide-tipped (TCT) designs, providing extra safety during high-speed operation and ensuring structural integrity throughout the tool's life.
• Left-hand (LH) rotation - designed to pair with the left-hand spindle positions common in multi-spindle boring machines and CNC boring centers, ensuring correct chip ejection and bore quality without tool modification.
• 10 x 30mm parallel shank - fits standard boring machine chucks and CNC toolholders accurately, providing secure clamping and minimal runout for repeatable hole quality across high-volume production runs.
• 35mm cutting height in a 70mm overall length - delivers sufficient depth capacity for blind dowel holes while fitting within the tooling envelopes of typical panel boring centers and CNC routers.
• Compatible with hardwood, MDF, particle board, and veneered wood - a single bit covers the range of difficult composite and solid materials encountered in cabinet and furniture production, reducing the need for multiple tool types.

Why This Product

• Shops running multi-spindle boring machines or CNC routers that require left-hand rotation bits will find this drill integrates directly into existing tooling setups - no adapters or workarounds required, just correct geometry from the start.
• The solid carbide body can be resharpened an almost infinite number of times, meaning the upfront investment in a higher-quality bit pays back over a much longer service life compared to carbide-tipped alternatives that cannot be resharpened as extensively.
• The negatively ground curved spurs and centre-balanced tip work together to produce clean, precise bores in difficult materials like MDF, particle board, and veneered panels - materials that are notorious for chip-out and rough bore edges with lesser tooling.
• The plunge edge running all the way to centre reduces resistance at entry, which translates to faster cycle times on high-speed boring units and CNC production lines without sacrificing hole quality or bit longevity.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 311.080.42
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 5/16"
• Cutting Height: 35mm
• Total Length: 70mm
• Shank: 10 x 30mm
• Rotation: Left-Hand (LH)
• Number of Spurs: 2
• Number of Flutes: 2
• Material: Solid Super Micrograin Carbide (HW)

Approved Applications

• Blind hole drilling for dowel connections
• Panel drilling in furniture and cabinet manufacturing
• High-speed boring unit production runs
• CNC router boring operations
• Multi-spindle CNC boring machine operations
• Boring in hardwood and difficult composites including particle board, MDF, and veneered wood