The CMT Mortising Bit with a 1/2 in. cutting diameter, 3/4 in. cutting height, and 1/4 in. shank is a precision-engineered router bit built for clean, flat-bottom mortise cuts in solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, and a wide range of wood composites. Featuring thick carbide tips and a negative shear angle design, this right-hand rotation bit delivers splinter-free results on hinge mortises, lock pockets, and template-guided routing work. Whether you are routing hinge recesses by hand or running template patterns on a CNC routing machine, this CMT bit is designed to perform with consistency and control.

Key Features

• Thick carbide tips with negative shear angle design - ensures flawless, splinter-free cuts with smooth, flat mortise bottoms on both natural wood and wood composites, eliminating the need for cleanup passes.
• Top bearing guide included - allows the bit to follow templates and patterns precisely, making it a reliable choice for sign making, template routing, and repeatable hinge mortising work.
• Hard carbide (HW) cutting material - delivers extended cutting life even in demanding materials like MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic, reducing how often you need to replace or resharpen.
• 2-flute right-hand rotation - provides efficient chip evacuation and a clean cutting action, helping maintain bit temperature and surface quality throughout the cut.
• 1/4 in. shank - fits a wide range of handheld routers and compact router collets, giving the bit broad compatibility across common routing setups.
• CMT Orange Shield non-stick coating - prevents heat buildup, resists pitch and resin accumulation, and guards against corrosion, keeping the bit performing cleanly over many uses.
• SinterHIP industrial chrome carbide - carbide processed via Hot Isostatic Pressing prevents material failure at the cutting edge and extends the working life of the bit well beyond standard-grade carbide.
• Tri-metal brazing (Silver-Copper-Silver) - forms a strong, reliable bond between the carbide tip and the body, protecting the joint when cutting harder woods or composites and reducing the risk of tip separation.
• Anti-kickback design - controls depth of cut mechanically, reducing kickback risk and improving safety and accuracy during freehand and template-guided routing.

Why This Product

• Hinge mortising demands flat bottoms and crisp, clean edges - the negative shear angle carbide design of this bit produces exactly that result without splintering or rough texture, even on figured hardwoods and composite sheet goods.
• The integrated top bearing guide expands this bit beyond basic mortising into template routing and sign-making applications, making it a versatile addition to any routing setup rather than a single-task tool.
• SinterHIP carbide processing and tri-metal brazing together address the two most common causes of carbide bit failure - material fracture and tip separation - giving this bit durability that holds up across demanding production and jobsite use.
• The 1/4 in. shank and compact 2-9/64 in. total length make this bit compatible with handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines, so it works across multiple tools without requiring a dedicated setup.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 801.127.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Product Type: Mortising Bit
• Diameter: 1/2 in.
• Cutting Height: 3/4 in.
• Total Length: 2-9/64 in.
• Shank: 1/4 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Rotation: Right-hand (RH)
• Blade Material: Carbide-Tipped (HW)

Approved Applications

• Hinge Mortising
• Lock Pocket Mortising
• Slot Mortising
• Template Routing
• Sign Making
• Mortise Routing in Solid Hardwood and Softwood
• Mortise Routing in Plywood, MDF, Chipboard, Laminates, Melamine, and Plastic