The CMT Plug Cutter 1" - 529.254.31 is a precision wood plug cutting tool engineered from SP steel for long-lasting performance when drilling cylindrical plugs from natural soft or medium-density woods. With a 1/2" shank, 5-tooth cutting geometry, and right-hand rotation, this plug cutter produces clean, grain-matched wood plugs that seamlessly conceal screw heads and counterbored holes in cabinet making, furniture construction, and general woodworking applications.

Key Features

• SP Steel Construction - a super-strength steel body delivers long-lasting cutter performance, reducing the need for frequent tool replacement during high-volume woodworking tasks.
• 5 Cutting Edges - five cutting edges work together to produce clean-sided, cylindrical plugs with consistent dimensions, giving you tight-fitting, professional-looking results when concealing fasteners.
• 1-15/32" Outer Diameter with 1" Plug Output - the precisely engineered outer diameter guides the cutting geometry to produce a true 1" diameter plug, ensuring accurate sizing for standard counterbored holes.
• 1/2" Shank - a robust 1/2" shank provides secure, wobble-free chuck grip in a drill press, maintaining concentricity throughout the cut for uniform plug dimensions.
• Right-Hand (RH) Rotation - designed to run in the standard cutting direction of drill press machinery, so no special setup or spindle reversal is required.
• 5-1/2" Overall Length - the extended overall length allows for deep plug extraction without repositioning or tool changes, improving workflow efficiency.
• Optimized for Soft and Medium-Density Woods - engineered specifically for natural softwoods and medium-density woods, delivering clean cuts without tear-out or burning in compatible workpiece materials.

Why This Product

• When screw heads or counterbored fasteners need to disappear into a wood surface, a properly cut grain-matched plug is the professional solution - this cutter is built specifically for that purpose in soft and medium-density natural woods.
• The 5-tooth SP steel cutting head maintains its edge through repeated use, making it a reliable choice for production woodworking environments like cabinet shops and furniture manufacturing where tool longevity matters.
• A 1/2" shank is the standard size for drill press chuck capacities in workshop environments, meaning this plug cutter fits directly into common drill press setups without adapters or reducers.
• With a 5-1/2" overall length and precise 1-15/32" outer diameter, this cutter gives woodworkers the reach and dimensional accuracy needed to produce consistent, repeatable plugs across an entire project.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 529.254.31
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Outer Diameter: 1-15/32"
• Small Diameter: 25.4mm
• Total Length: 5-1/2"
• Shank: 1/2"
• Number of Teeth: 5
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Material: SP Steel

Approved Applications

• Cutting wood plugs to conceal screw heads
• Cutting plugs for counterbored holes
• Cabinet making
• Furniture construction
• General woodworking in natural softwood and medium-density wood materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of wood materials is this plug cutter designed for?

This plug cutter is designed for use in natural soft or medium-density woods. It is not specified for hardwoods or engineered wood products, so best results are achieved when used within those material categories.

What machine is required to use this plug cutter safely?

This plug cutter must be used in a drill press. It should never be used in a handheld drill. The drill press provides the stability and concentricity necessary for safe, accurate plug cutting with this type of tool.

What plug diameter does this cutter produce?

This cutter is designated as a 1" plug cutter, meaning it is designed to cut 1" diameter cylindrical wood plugs. The outer diameter of the tool body itself is 1-15/32" to accommodate the cutting geometry.

How many cutting edges does this plug cutter have, and why does it matter?

This cutter features 5 cutting edges. A higher tooth count helps distribute the cutting load more evenly around the circumference of the plug, contributing to cleaner plug sidewalls and more consistent plug dimensions with each cut.