CMT Straight Bit Short Series - 3/8" Diameter, 1/4" Shank by CMT is a compact, two-flute solid routing bit engineered for precise straight cuts in plywood, composites, and natural wood. Built on a fatigue-proof steel body with micrograin carbide cutting edges, this short-series router bit delivers clean dadoes, grooves, rabbets, and mortises whether you are working with a handheld router, router table, or CNC routing machine. Its 3/8" cutting diameter and 1" cutting height make it well-suited for controlled depth passes in hardwood, softwood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic - giving woodworkers and production shops a reliable bit for everyday joinery and template routing tasks.

Key Features

• Micrograin Carbide Cutting Edges - harder and denser than standard carbide, these edges hold sharpness longer under heavy production workloads, reducing downtime spent on bit changes or sharpening.
• Fatigue-Proof Steel Body - the body resists stress fractures and deformation even under sustained cutting loads, keeping the bit safe and dimensionally accurate over repeated use.
• CMT Orange Shield Non-Stick Coating (P.T.F.E.) - the proprietary orange P.T.F.E. surface treatment prevents resin, pitch, and residue from bonding to the bit, making cleanup faster and reducing heat buildup that would otherwise shorten tool life.
• 2-Flute Right-Hand Rotation Design - two cutting edges balance material removal with surface quality, producing smooth-walled grooves and dadoes in a single pass while maintaining steady chip ejection.
• 1/4" Shank - compatible with a wide range of handheld routers and router tables equipped with 1/4" collets, offering broad machine compatibility without an adapter.
• Strict Quality Testing for Tolerance, Balance, and Concentricity - every bit is individually tested so the cutting edge tracks true, minimizing vibration and producing consistent, repeatable cuts across an entire production run.
• Short Series Profile - the compact 2 1/2" overall length reduces deflection and improves rigidity during cutting, which translates directly to cleaner cut walls and tighter dimensional control.

Why This Product

• The short-series body design limits lateral flex during routing, making this bit a smart choice when dimensional accuracy is critical - such as fitting dados for shelving or cutting precise grooves for panel joinery in plywood and composites.
• The micrograin carbide edges and fatigue-proof steel construction are matched to industrial-scale production demands, so shops running high-volume cuts in hardwood, MDF, or laminate can depend on this bit to hold its edge longer than entry-level alternatives.
• The orange P.T.F.E. non-stick coating directly addresses one of the most common production slowdowns - pitch and resin buildup - by keeping the flutes clear and the cutting temperature lower, which extends usable bit life between cleanings.
• Individual testing for balance and concentricity means this bit runs true from the first cut, reducing chatter marks on cut surfaces and protecting the router collet from the vibration stress that out-of-balance bits generate.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 811.096.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 3/8"
• Cutting Height: 1"
• Total Length: 2 1/2"
• Shank: 1/4"
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Rotation: Right-hand (RH)
• Material: Micrograin Carbide (HW)
• Product Type: Straight Bit Short Series

Approved Applications

• Straight cuts including dadoes, grooves, and rabbets
• Mortising
• Template routing
• Plywood joinery
• Production routing in plywood, composites, and natural woods