Product Description
CMT Mortising Bit - 1/2" Diameter x 3/4" Cutting Height, 1/2" Shank is a precision carbide-tipped router bit engineered for clean, flat-bottom mortise cuts in solid wood, plywood, MDF, and a wide range of wood composites. Designed for hinge mortising, lock pocketing, and template-guided routing, this CMT bit features a negative shear angle geometry and thick carbide tips that deliver splinter-free results and smooth mortise bottoms on every pass. Whether you are routing hinge recesses on cabinet doors or cutting precise slots for loose-tenon joinery, this mortising bit performs with consistency on a handheld router, router table, or CNC routing machine.
Key Features
- Thick carbide tips with negative shear angle design - shears material cleanly at the cut line, eliminating splintered edges and rough bottome floors so your mortises require no additional cleanup.
- Top bearing guide included - allows the bit to follow a template or pattern precisely, making it an ideal choice for sign making, hinge routing, and repeatable template work.
- 2-flute (2-tooth) carbide configuration - provides a balanced chip load and smooth cutting action through both natural hardwood and engineered wood composites.
- Hard-metal (HW) carbide material - delivers durability and edge retention through demanding production runs and abrasive sheet materials like melamine and laminates.
- Right-hand rotation - compatible with standard handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines without any modification.
- 1/2" shank diameter - seats securely in full-size router collets, reducing vibration and flex during plunge and lateral cuts for greater accuracy and a safer working experience.
Why This Product
- The negative shear angle geometry combined with thick carbide tips means you get flat-bottom mortises with no splintering - eliminating the hand-chiseling cleanup step that slower bits require.
- The top bearing guide makes this bit a dual-purpose tool - use it for precise hinge mortising with a template and switch to sign making or decorative template routing without changing setups.
- The 3/4" cutting height gives you enough depth capacity to handle standard hinge leaf mortises and lock pockets in a single pass, reducing the number of plunge steps needed.
- Compatibility with solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, melamine, laminates, and plastics means this one bit covers virtually every material you are likely to encounter in a cabinet shop or millwork environment.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 801.627.11
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Mortising Bit
- Diameter: 1/2"
- Cutting Height: 3/4"
- Total Length: 2-3/8"
- Shank: 1/2"
- Number of Teeth: 2
- Blade Material: Hard Metal Carbide (HW)
- Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
Approved Applications
- Hinge Mortising
- Lock Pocket Mortising
- Slot Mortising
- Loose-Tenon Joinery
- Sign Making
- Template Routing
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this mortising bit suitable for hinge routing on both wood and wood composites?
The bit is equipped with thick carbide tips and a negative shear angle design that shears material cleanly through both natural wood and wood composites. This geometry prevents splintering along the mortise walls and leaves a flat, smooth bottom - critical for flush hinge installation on cabinet doors and furniture pieces.
Does this bit require a template to use, or can it be run freehand?
The bit comes complete with a top bearing guide, which allows it to follow a template for precise, repeatable cuts in sign making and template routing work. It can also be used freehand on a router table or with a handheld router when a template is not needed, making it a versatile option for a range of mortising tasks.
What router machines is this bit compatible with?
The CMT mortising bit is compatible with handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines. The 1/2" shank fits standard full-size router collets and provides a secure, low-vibration connection during plunge and lateral routing passes.
Which materials can be routed with this bit?
This bit is suited for use on solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic. The hard-metal carbide tips maintain a sharp cutting edge across this wide range of materials, including abrasive engineered sheet goods like melamine and laminate-faced panels.
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