Product Description
CMT 311.580.41 Dowel Drill 5/16" x 45 x 70mm RH by CMT is a premium solid carbide boring bit engineered for high-precision blind hole drilling in furniture manufacturing, cabinet making, and panel processing applications. Built from super micrograin carbide, this right-hand rotation dowel drill delivers exceptionally clean bores in hardwood, MDF, particle board, and veneered panels - making it a reliable choice for CNC routers, multi-spindle boring machines, and high-speed boring centers alike.
Key Features
- Solid super micrograin carbide construction - the entire bit is formed from premium quality carbide sourced from Luxembourg, providing the structural integrity needed for demanding production environments and delivering an almost infinite number of resharpenings without sacrificing performance.
- Curved, negatively ground spurs (2 spurs) - produce exceptionally clear bore walls and flat-bottom holes with no rough edges or tearout, resulting in professional-quality dowel joints straight off the machine.
- Centre-point balanced tip design - ensures the bit enters the workpiece on-axis every time, reducing wandering and improving hole location accuracy across high-volume runs.
- Oversized cylindrical head - larger than traditional boring bit tips, this head geometry is extremely resistant to prolonged use, extending tool life between service intervals on production lines.
- Full-length plunge edge running to the centre - reduces drilling resistance during entry, increases production speed, and allows longer runs between sharpenings compared to conventional geometries.
- 2-flute, 45mm cutting height design - optimized for blind hole boring in panels that require deeper boring depth, suitable for through-dowel and deep pocket applications.
- 10 x 19mm parallel shank - compatible with standard boring machine chucks and CNC boring centers, ensuring secure seating and minimal runout during high-speed operation.
- Extreme resharpening rating - the solid carbide unit can be reground repeatedly, lowering the long-term cost per hole compared to carbide-tipped alternatives with limited resharpening cycles.
Why This Product
- Built for difficult composites and hardwoods - the solid micrograin carbide construction and negatively ground spur geometry are specifically suited to particle board, MDF, veneered wood, and dense hardwoods where conventional steel bits degrade rapidly and leave rough bore walls.
- Engineered for production-speed boring - the plunge edge running fully to the centre reduces cutting resistance on entry, making this bit well-matched to high-speed CNC routers and multi-spindle boring centers where cycle time matters.
- Long service life between sharpenings - the solid carbide body supports a greater number of resharpening cycles than carbide-tipped designs, making it a practical investment for shops running continuous production or dealing with abrasive engineered materials.
- Clean, ready-to-assemble dowel holes - the curved negatively ground spurs produce bore walls and flat bottoms with no rough edges, reducing the need for hand finishing and ensuring tight, accurate dowel connections in furniture and cabinet carcasses.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 311.580.41
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Diameter: 5/16"
- Cutting Height: 45mm
- Total Length: 70mm
- Shank: 10 x 19mm
- Number of Spurs: 2
- Number of Teeth: 2
- Rotation: Right-hand (RH)
- Material: HW (Solid Micrograin Carbide)
- Sharpening Rating: Extreme
Approved Applications
- Blind hole drilling for dowel connections
- Panel drilling in furniture manufacturing
- Cabinet carcass construction and assembly
- High-speed boring unit and CNC router operations
- Multi-spindle boring machine and CNC boring center use
- Drilling in hardwood, particle board, MDF, and veneered wood
- Processing difficult composites and coated panels
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials is the CMT 311.580.41 dowel drill designed to bore?
This dowel drill is ideal for hardwood and difficult composites including particle board, MDF, and veneered wood. Its solid super micrograin carbide construction and negatively ground spur geometry handle abrasive engineered panels cleanly, producing flat-bottom blind holes with no rough edges.
Can this bit be resharpened, and how many times?
Yes. Because the 311.580.41 is a solid carbide unit rather than a carbide-tipped steel body, it supports an almost infinite number of resharpenings. The solid construction also means the bit retains its geometry and integrity through repeated sharpening cycles, offering additional safety compared to tipped designs. The sharpening rating for this bit is classified as Extreme.
What machines is this dowel drill compatible with?
The 311.580.41 is designed for use on high-speed boring units and CNC routers. Its 10 x 19mm parallel shank fits standard chucks and boring machine adapters found on multi-spindle CNC boring machines, CNC boring centers, and panel processing centers. Always confirm your machine's chuck or spindle accepts a 10 x 19mm shank before mounting.
What is the difference between the cutting height and total length on this bit?
The cutting height is 45mm - this is the active boring length that engages the material and determines the maximum blind hole depth the bit can produce. The total length of 70mm includes the 10 x 19mm shank portion that seats in the machine chuck. When planning boring depth, use the 45mm cutting height as your reference, not the overall 70mm length.
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