The CMT Mortising Bit with a 1-1/4" diameter, 7/32" cutting height, and 1/2" shank is a precision-engineered router bit designed for clean, flat-bottom hinge mortises, lock pockets, and template routing work. Built by CMT with thick carbide tips and a negative shear angle, this bit removes material accurately in solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, and wood composites - leaving edges free of splintering and bottoms smooth and level. A top bearing guide is included to make sign making and template-guided work straightforward and repeatable.

Key Features

• Thick Carbide Tips (HW Material): Industrial-grade hard metal carbide resists wear and heat buildup, extending cutting life even through dense hardwoods and abrasive composite materials.
• Negative Shear Angle Design: Controls chip removal and directs cutting forces downward, producing flat mortise bottoms and splinter-free edges on every pass - critical for clean hinge inlays and lock pockets.
• Top Bearing Guide: Allows the bit to follow a template or pattern precisely, making it well suited for repeatable hinge routing, sign lettering, and custom template work without freehand guesswork.
• 2-Flute Configuration: Two cutting edges balance feed rate and finish quality, giving routers a smooth load and delivering a refined surface inside the mortise pocket.
• Right-Hand Rotation (RH): Matches the standard spindle direction of handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines - no special setup required.
• 1/2" Shank Diameter: A full 1/2" shank reduces bit deflection under load, providing greater stability and accuracy compared to smaller shank sizes - ideal for the heavier cuts common in hinge and lock mortising.
• CMT Orange Shield Non-Stick Coating: Reduces pitch and resin buildup on the bit body, minimizes friction-related heat, protects against corrosion, and extends the working life of the tool between cleanings.
• SinterHIP Industrial Chrome Carbide: Carbide processed via Hot Isostatic Pressing prevents material failure at the cutting edge, maintaining sharpness longer and reducing the frequency of resharpening.
• Tri-Metal Brazing: Silver-Copper-Silver brazing bonds the carbide tips securely to the body, protecting the joint when routing harder woods or composites and reducing the risk of tip separation.
• Anti-Kickback Design: Limits the depth of cut on each pass to help control router behavior and reduce kickback risk, improving both safety and cut consistency.

Why This Product

• Hinge mortising requires a perfectly flat bottom and crisp, tear-free edges - the negative shear angle and thick carbide tips work together to deliver exactly that result in both natural wood and wood composites.
• The integrated top bearing guide eliminates the need for a separate guide bushing or edge guide when following templates, making this bit a practical all-in-one solution for production sign making and pattern routing.
• The 1/2" shank provides the rigidity needed for the plunge and lateral forces typical of hinge and lock pocket routing, reducing chatter and improving dimensional accuracy in the finished mortise.
• CMT's combination of Orange Shield coating, SinterHIP carbide, and Tri-Metal brazing addresses the three most common causes of premature bit failure - heat buildup, carbide fracture, and tip separation - making this a durable choice for repeated mortising work.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 801.818.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 1-1/4"
• Cutting Height: 7/32"
• Total Length: 2-31/64"
• Shank: 1/2"
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Blade Material: Carbide-Tipped (HW)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Product Type: Mortising Bit

Approved Applications

• Hinge Mortising
• Lock Pocket Routing
• Slot Mortising
• Loose-Tenon Joinery Preparation
• Sign Making
• Template Routing and Pattern Work