The CMT 800.627.11 Tenon Cutting Router Bit is a precision-engineered routing tool designed to produce perfectly fitted tenons in every board you cut - even when board thickness varies slightly from piece to piece. With a 3" cutting diameter, a 1 3/8" cutting height, and a 1/2" shank, this right-hand rotation bit is built for woodworkers who need consistent, repeatable joinery results on solid hardwood, softwood, sheet goods, and more. Whether you are working at a router table, with a handheld router, or on a CNC routing machine, this tenon cutter delivers the accuracy that mortise-and-tenon joinery demands.

Key Features

• Adjustable tenon thickness from 3/16" to 3/8" - included spacers let you dial in the exact tenon thickness your project requires, eliminating trial-and-error test cuts and reducing material waste.
• Accommodates boards that vary slightly in thickness - the cutter geometry self-compensates for minor board thickness variation, so every tenon fits its mortise without time-consuming hand fitting or re-cutting.
• 3" cutting diameter with a 1 3/8" cutting height - produces tenons up to 1 1/16" long, giving you ample tenon length for strong structural joinery in furniture, frames, and cabinet face frames.
• 2-tooth HW (carbide-tipped) cutting head - hard-wearing tungsten carbide cutting edges stay sharp longer than high-speed steel, delivering clean, splinter-free tenon shoulders across both hardwood and softwood species.
• 1/2" shank diameter - the larger 1/2" shank reduces vibration and runout compared to smaller shanks, resulting in smoother cuts, better surface finish on tenon faces, and longer bit life.
• Right-hand (RH) rotation, rated to 12,000 RPM - matches the standard rotation direction of virtually all routers, and the 12,000 RPM maximum speed is well within the operating range of typical router tables and handheld routers running a bit of this diameter.
• 3 15/16" total length - provides enough clearance above the collet for easy bit changes and proper tool-depth adjustment without interference from the router body.

Why This Product

• If you have struggled to cut consistently fitting tenons because your boards vary even slightly in thickness, this bit solves that problem directly - the spacer-based setup system is specifically engineered to compensate for that variation rather than requiring perfectly uniform stock.
• The ability to produce tenons ranging from 3/16" to 3/8" thick from a single bit means you can handle multiple joinery dimensions without swapping tools or rebuilding jig setups, saving significant setup time on larger projects.
• A 3" cutting diameter paired with a 1 3/8" cutting height means you are cutting both faces of the tenon in a single pass at the router table, which keeps the tenon shoulders square and co-planar - a key advantage over methods that require flipping the workpiece and re-registering it.
• Carbide-tipped (HW) construction at a 12,000 RPM rating makes this bit compatible with a wide range of router equipment, from benchtop router tables to CNC machines, and gives it the edge retention needed for production-level use on hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 800.627.11
• Diameter: 3"
• Cutting Depth: 26.98mm
• Cutting Height: 1 3/8"
• Total Length: 3 15/16"
• Maximum Tenon Thickness: 3/16" to 3/8"
• Shank: 1/2"
• Maximum RPM: 12,000
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Rotation: Right-hand (RH)
• Blade Material: HW (Carbide-Tipped)
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools

Approved Applications

• Tenon cutting for mortise-and-tenon joinery
• Solid hardwood and softwood frame construction
• Cabinet face frame and furniture joinery
• Router table tenoning operations
• Handheld router tenon cutting with appropriate fence or jig
• CNC routing machine tenon production
• Plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic joinery cuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What range of tenon thicknesses can this bit produce?

By adjusting the distance between the cutters using the included spacers, this bit can cut tenons from 3/16" to 3/8" thick. This spacer-based system is what allows the bit to accommodate boards that vary slightly in thickness and still produce a well-fitted tenon.

What is the maximum tenon length this bit can cut?

With a cutting height of 1 3/8" and a cutting diameter of 3", the bit is capable of producing tenons up to 1 1/16" long. The total bit length is 3 15/16", and it requires a 1/2" router collet.

What router speed should I use with this bit?

The maximum rated speed for this bit is 12,000 RPM. Because this is a large-diameter bit at 3", it is important not to exceed this rated speed. Always consult the speed recommendations for your specific router and confirm the bit is properly secured in a 1/2" collet before operation.

What materials can this tenon cutter be used on?

The carbide-tipped (HW) cutting edges are well suited for solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic. The bit rotates right-hand (RH) and is compatible with handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines.