CMT Pattern Router Bit with Insert Knives for Laminates - 3/4" Diameter, 1 29/32" Cutting Height, 1/2" Shank is a professional-grade straight router bit engineered for flush trimming, pattern routing, and precision template work in laminated chipboard, MDF, and hardwood. Designed by CMT for demanding woodworking and cabinetry applications, this bit combines a top-mounted bearing for template-guided cuts with a replaceable indexable knife system that keeps tooling costs low without sacrificing cut quality. Whether you are routing HPL laminates on a router table or plunge-cutting into board materials with a hand router, this 1/2" shank bit delivers consistent, clean results on every pass.

Key Features

• Indexable Insert Knives with Torx Screw Fastening - Replaceable knives are locked in place by a Torx screw, ensuring a rigid, vibration-free connection at high routing speeds. When one edge dulls, the knife can be flipped or swapped rather than resharpening the entire bit body, reducing downtime and long-term tooling cost.
• 3 deg. Sharpened Top Knife Angle - The top knife is ground to a 3 deg. angle, enabling clean plunge entry and high-precision cuts through laminate surfaces without chipping or tear-out at the entry point.
• Top Bearing for Template Routing - An integrated top bearing rides along a template or pattern, allowing accurate reproduction of shapes and profiles in laminated chipboard, MDF, and hardwood without measuring or marking each workpiece individually.
• 2-Flute Carbide (HW) Knife Configuration - Two hardwood-grade carbide knives provide balanced cutting geometry, reducing deflection and heat buildup during extended grooving and finishing passes in dense board materials.
• Right-Hand Rotation - Standard right-hand rotation is compatible with the vast majority of hand routers and router tables with 1/2" collets, making this bit a straightforward drop-in upgrade for everyday pattern and trim routing tasks.
• 1/2" Shank Diameter - The larger 1/2" shank delivers superior rigidity and reduced runout compared to smaller shanks, resulting in smoother cuts and less chatter when routing laminates, plastics, and MDF at production pace.

Why This Product

• Purpose-built for laminate and MDF work - The combination of a 3 deg. top knife angle and indexable carbide knives addresses the two most common challenges in laminate routing - clean plunge entry and edge quality - making this bit a practical choice for cabinet shops and countertop fabricators.
• Lower cost-per-cut with replaceable knives - Because the knives are the only component that wears, replacing or flipping a knife extends the usable life of the bit body and keeps tooling expenses predictable over time.
• Template and pattern routing in a single tool - The top bearing means this bit functions both as a flush-trim bit and a full pattern-routing bit, eliminating the need to switch tools mid-project when working from a template.
• Generous 1 29/32" cutting height with 3-15/16" overall length - The extended cutting height accommodates thick laminated panels and stacked workpieces in a single pass, improving efficiency when routing cabinet components or grooved shelf edges.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 656.693.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Cutting Diameter: 3/4"
• Cutting Height: 1 29/32"
• Total Length: 3 15/16"
• Shank Diameter: 1/2"
• Number of Knives: 2
• Material: HW (Hardwood-Grade Carbide)
• Rotation: Right-Hand

Approved Applications

• Flush trimming of laminated chipboard and HPL surfaces
• Pattern routing and template routing in MDF and hardwood
• Finishing and grooving in board materials including laminated chipboard and MDF
• Plunge cutting through laminate surfaces
• High-precision trim cuts in laminate and hardwood panels