CMT Mortising Bit with Bearing - 1-1/4" Diameter x 1/2" Cutting Height, 1/2" Shank by CMT is a precision carbide-tipped router bit engineered for clean, flat-bottom mortise cuts used in hinge mortising, lock pocket routing, and template-guided sign making. Equipped with thick carbide tips and a negative shear angle design, this mortising router bit delivers flawless results on solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, and a wide range of wood composites - with no splintered edges and no rough bottoms. A top bearing guide makes it equally at home on a router table, in a handheld router, or on a CNC routing machine for repeatable, template-driven work.

Key Features

• Thick Carbide Tips with Negative Shear Angle Design - delivers flawless performance on both natural wood and wood composites, producing clean mortise walls and smooth, flat bottoms without splintering or tearout.
• Top Bearing Guide Included - allows the bit to follow templates precisely, making it a reliable tool for sign making, hinge mortising, and lock pocket routing with consistent, repeatable results.
• 2-Flute (2-Tooth) Configuration - balances cutting speed with chip clearance, reducing heat buildup during passes through hardwood and dense composite panels.
• CMT Orange Shield Non-Stick Coating - prevents the bit from overheating, reduces pitch and resin buildup on the cutting surface, protects against corrosion, and extends overall tool life between sharpenings.
• SinterHIP Industrial Chrome Carbide - carbide processed via Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) prevents material failure under load and extends cutting life significantly compared to standard carbide grades.
• Tri-Metal Brazing (Silver-Copper-Silver) - protects the carbide tip when cutting harder wood or composites and reduces the chance of failed welds, keeping tips secure under demanding routing conditions.
• Anti-Kickback Design - controls the depth of cut per pass and minimizes kickback risk, improving safety during freehand and table-mounted routing operations.
• 1/2" Shank Diameter - provides maximum stability and vibration reduction in standard 1/2" collets, resulting in cleaner cuts and reduced chatter compared to smaller shank sizes.

Why This Product

• Purpose-built for hinge mortising and lock pocket routing - the negative shear angle and thick carbide tips work together to cut flat, splinter-free bottoms that require little to no cleanup, saving time on finish work.
• The integrated top bearing guide converts this bit into a template-following tool, making it ideal for sign making and repetitive mortise work where consistency across multiple pieces is critical.
• SinterHIP carbide and Tri-Metal Brazing ensure the cutting edges hold up through demanding cuts in hardwood and wood composites - reducing the frequency of bit replacement on production-level tasks.
• At 2-1/8" total length with a 1/2" cutting height, this bit is sized specifically for hinge-depth mortises, allowing precise depth control without the over-plunge risk that comes with longer general-purpose bits.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 801.817.11B
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 1-1/4"
• Cutting Height: 1/2"
• Total Length: 2-1/8"
• Shank: 1/2"
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Material: Carbide-Tipped (HW)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Product Type: Mortising Bit with Bearing Guide

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, and Melamine