CMT 368.080.12 Dowel Drill for Through Holes is a professional-grade, left-hand rotation boring bit engineered for clean, accurate through-hole drilling in solid wood, chipboard, MDF, HDF, plywood, laminates, and coated panels. Built by CMT with a tungsten carbide (HW) cutting tip on a precision steel body, this 5/16" diameter, 2-flute through-hole dowel drill is designed for use in multi-spindle CNC boring machines, boring centers, and panel processing equipment where consistent, splinter-free hole quality is required on both faces of thick workpieces. The long-series geometry and left-hand rotation make it the correct tool choice for left-hand spindle positions in production boring operations.

Key Features

• Tungsten Carbide (HW) Cutting Material - hardwearing carbide tip maintains a sharp edge through high-volume production runs in abrasive materials like MDF, chipboard, and laminates, reducing the frequency of tool changes and downtime.
• 2-Flute Through-Hole Geometry - dual cutting edges paired with a through-hole design allow waste material to evacuate efficiently from deep cuts, preventing clogging and producing clean bore walls on both entry and exit faces of the panel.
• Left-Hand (LH) Rotation - purpose-matched to left-hand spindle positions on multi-spindle boring heads and CNC boring centers, ensuring correct cutting action and eliminating the surface tearout that results from using the wrong-rotation bit.
• 8x20mm Parallel Shank with Driving Flat - the standardized shank diameter seats securely in compatible boring machine chucks and adapters, providing a rigid, vibration-free connection that translates directly into hole accuracy and dimensional consistency.
• 5/16" Diameter x 1 11/16" Cutting Height x 2 3/4" Overall Length - the long-series proportions provide sufficient reach to bore completely through thick panels in a single pass, eliminating the need for repositioning or step-drilling.
• Through-Hole Sharpening Spec (60) - the defined sharpening specification allows the bit to be re-ground by a qualified sharpening service, extending usable tool life and lowering the long-term cost per hole.

Why This Product

• The through-hole design and long-series cutting height of 43mm (1 11/16") mean the bit can penetrate fully through thick panel stock in one pass, making it well suited for furniture production, cabinet panel boring, and any application where a clean exit hole is as critical as the entry.
• Left-hand rotation is a specific requirement for left-side spindles on multi-spindle boring heads - using the CMT 368.080.12 in its intended LH spindle position ensures the cutting edges engage the material correctly, producing flat-bottomed, smooth-walled holes without fiber pullout.
• Hardmetal (HW) carbide construction provides durability across a wide range of engineered wood products including MDF, HDF, chipboard, and laminates - materials that rapidly dull high-speed steel tooling - making this bit a reliable choice for shops processing abrasive panel materials at production volumes.
• The standardized 8x20mm shank is compatible with the chuck and adapter systems found on common multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centers, simplifying tooling inventory and ensuring a secure, repeatable fit every time the bit is installed.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 368.080.12
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 5/16"
• Cutting Height: 43mm (1 11/16")
• Total Length: 70mm (2 3/4")
• Shank: 8x20mm
• Number of Flutes: 2
• Rotation: LH (Left-Hand)
• Blade Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)
• Sharpening Specification: Through holes 60

Approved Applications

• Chipboard and particle board panel boring
• MDF and HDF through-hole drilling
• Hardwood and softwood boring
• Plywood panel processing
• Laminates and coated panel drilling
• Through-hole dowel joint preparation in furniture and cabinet production
• Multi-spindle CNC boring machine operations (left-hand spindle positions)
• CNC boring center and panel processing center tooling