Product Description
CMT Straight Bit Short Series - 18mm Diameter, 1/4" Shank is a compact, high-performance straight routing bit built for precise dado cuts, grooves, mortises, and rabbet joints in solid hardwood, plywood, composites, and a wide range of natural wood species. Engineered with a two-flute micrograin carbide cutting edge and a fatigue-proof steel body, this short-series router bit delivers clean, accurate results across handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines. The 18mm cutting diameter paired with a 1/4" shank makes it a versatile choice for woodworkers and production shops seeking reliable performance in groove routing and template work.
Key Features
- Micrograin Carbide Cutting Edge - resists wear under heavy workloads, extending tool life and maintaining clean cutting tolerances through repeated use in plywood, composites, and natural woods.
- Fatigue-Proof Steel Body - the specially formulated steel shank absorbs stress and vibration during high-volume routing, reducing the risk of bit failure and improving consistency across long production runs.
- Orange Non-Stick P.T.F.E. Coating - CMT's trademark protective surface repels resin, pitch, and residue buildup, keeping the bit cleaner between passes and reducing heat accumulation that can degrade cut quality.
- Two-Flute Design - the double-edged cutter provides balanced chip evacuation and smooth surface finish on dadoes, grooves, and mortise cuts in both softwood and hardwood applications.
- Short Series Profile - the compact 2" total length and 3/4" cutting height reduce deflection and chatter during routing, supporting tighter tolerances in template routing and joinery work.
- Strict Quality Testing - every bit is tested for cutting tolerance, balance, and concentricity, ensuring consistent performance straight out of the box without the need for break-in or adjustment.
Why This Product
- The 18mm cutting diameter fills a common gap between standard imperial sizes, making it the right choice for metric joinery, hardware fitting, and precision dado work where 1/2" or 3/4" imperial bits fall short.
- The short-series body minimizes overhang from the collet, reducing bit flex during deep passes in hardwood and composites - a direct advantage for woodworkers who need repeatable, square-sided grooves without multiple correction passes.
- The non-stick P.T.F.E. surface coating actively repels the resins and adhesives found in plywood, MDF, and melamine, meaning less downtime for cleaning and more consistent cut quality across a full production shift.
- Built to handle industrial-scale workloads in plywood joinery, cabinet making, and template routing, this bit is equally capable in a small workshop router table or a CNC routing machine - making it a single purchase that works across multiple setups.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 811.180.11
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Diameter: 18mm
- Cutting Height: 3/4"
- Total Length: 2"
- Shank: 1/4"
- Number of Teeth: 2
- Material: HW (micrograin carbide)
- Rotation: Right-hand (RH)
- Product Type: Straight Bit Short Series
Approved Applications
- Straight cuts including dadoes, grooves, and rabbets
- Mortising in solid hardwood and softwood
- Template routing with guide bushings or bearing guides
- Plywood joinery and cabinet box construction
- Routing composites, MDF, chipboard, and melamine panels
Frequently Asked Questions
What routers are compatible with this bit?
This bit has a 1/4" shank and is compatible with any handheld router, router table, or CNC routing machine that accepts a 1/4" collet. Always confirm your router's collet size before installing.
What is the purpose of the P.T.F.E. coating on this bit?
The orange non-stick P.T.F.E. coating is CMT's trademark surface treatment designed to prevent resin, pitch, and other residue from adhering to the bit during cutting. This helps maintain cleaner cuts, reduces heat buildup from friction, and makes the bit easier to clean between uses.
Why choose a short-series bit instead of a standard-length straight bit?
The short-series profile - with a 2" total length and 3/4" cutting height - reduces the distance between the collet and the cutting edge. This minimizes bit deflection and vibration, which is especially important when routing hardwoods, plywood, or composites where cut accuracy and sidewall quality are critical.
What materials can this straight bit cut?
This bit is suitable for industrial-scale production in a variety of materials including plywood, composites, natural hardwoods, softwoods, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastics. The micrograin carbide cutting edge is designed to withstand heavy workloads across all of these material types.
Reviews
FAQs
Standard Shipping is free on most orders over $50 within the contiguous US. If the order is under $50.00, the shipping is $9.99 set fee for shipping within the contiguous US.
Most of our products will ship within 1 to 3 Business Days. Some Special order products will ship within 2 to 5 Business Days. Preorders will be shipped to you on a first come first serve basis as soon as available from the manufacturer. Items that are "Made-to-Order" (Custom order products) will be shipped when fabrication is completed, shipping and delivery times will vary and depend on manufacturing.
Products that are shipped directly from the manufacturer will have processing and fulfilment times subject to manufacturer availability.
Preorders are shipped on a first come first serve basis as soon as available from the manufacturer, the sooner you place your Preorder the sooner your order will ship.
Freight shipping Policy:
Orders/Items too large or heavy may require special handling/Shipping and may require to be sent by truck. Someone must be present to accept truck deliveries. Standard truck delivery is to a dock facility designed to receive freight. You will be notified within 24 hours of ordering to confirm delivery. Lift gates for deliveries are available for an additional fee.
We offer Financing options through Clicklease
Please email your Return request to info@FactoryDirectSupplyOnline.com
Include the order number and the reason for your return.
All returns, regardless of their categorization, must include all original parts, be in their original packaging, and in the condition in which they were received. You may not qualify to receive a refund If the returned item is used, damaged, missing any parts, or is damaged during return shipping.
Checkout our complete Return policy
You can contact us through our contact page! We will be happy to assist you.