Product Description
The CMT Screw Slot Bit - 1/2" Diameter, 1/2" Shank (813.601.11) is a precision-engineered routing bit designed to cut elongated screw slots in large panels and tabletops, allowing wood to expand and contract naturally without splitting or breaking the fastener that secures it. With a right-hand rotation, 2-tooth carbide-tipped cutting head, and a full 15/16" cutting height, this CMT bit gives woodworkers a reliable solution for mounting wide panels to frames, bases, or sub-structures while still accommodating seasonal wood movement. Whether you are working with solid hardwood, plywood, or sheet goods, this slot-cutting bit delivers clean, consistent channels that keep your project structurally sound over time.
Key Features
- 1/2" cutting diameter with a 4.4mm pilot (small diameter) - sizes the screw slot precisely so the fastener head clears the channel while the panel remains firmly held in position during movement cycles.
- 15/16" full cutting height and 35/64" secondary cutting height (I1) - gives you two usable cutting depths in a single pass setup, accommodating different panel thicknesses without changing bits.
- 2-tooth carbide-tipped (HW) cutting head - hardwood-grade carbide maintains a sharp edge through repeated passes in dense solid wood, plywood, MDF, and composite panels, reducing the need for frequent resharpening.
- Right-hand rotation, standard 1/2" shank - fits directly into standard 1/2" collet routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines with no adapter required, making setup fast and straightforward.
- 2-1/2" total length - compact enough for use in handheld routers while still providing full reach for slot routing in typical panel thicknesses.
- Designed specifically for panel movement slots - the elongated slot geometry lets a screw or fastener slide back and forth as the panel expands or contracts with humidity changes, protecting both the wood and the fastener from stress failure.
Why This Product
- Solves the wood movement problem in large panels and tabletops - without a proper screw slot, fasteners anchoring wide panels restrict natural expansion and contraction, leading to splitting or broken hardware over time. This bit cuts the slot geometry needed to let panels move freely while staying secured.
- One bit handles the complete slot profile - the combined 1/2" outer diameter and 4.4mm pilot cut the clearance and the slot channel in a single operation, eliminating the need for multiple tools or stepped setups.
- Carbide construction (HW material grade) supports use in a wide range of wood-based materials - solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, and panel composites are all suitable candidates, giving this bit broad utility across furniture and cabinet applications.
- Compatible with handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines with a 1/2" collet - whether you are running production volume on a CNC or cutting individual slots by hand, this bit works in the setup you already have.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 813.601.11
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Diameter: 1/2"
- Small Diameter: 4.4mm
- Cutting Height: 15/16"
- Cutting Height (I1): 35/64"
- Total Length: 2 1/2"
- Shank: 1/2"
- Number of Teeth: 2
- Blade Material: Carbide-Tipped (HW)
- Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
Approved Applications
- Screw slot routing in large panels and tabletops
- Panel-to-base or panel-to-frame attachment with wood movement clearance
- Solid hardwood panel slot cutting
- Plywood, MDF, and sheet good fastener slot routing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a screw slot bit used for?
A screw slot bit cuts an elongated channel - rather than a round hole - through a panel so that a fastener can hold the panel in place while still allowing it to slide back and forth as the wood expands or contracts with changes in humidity. This is especially important for large tabletops and wide panels where seasonal movement is significant enough to split the wood or shear a fastener if the panel were rigidly fixed.
What shank size does the CMT 813.601.11 use, and what machines does it fit?
This bit uses a 1/2" shank, which fits any handheld router, router table, or CNC routing machine equipped with a 1/2" collet. No adapter is required for standard 1/2" collet setups.
What is the difference between the two cutting height values listed for this bit?
The bit has a full cutting height (I) of 15/16" and a secondary cutting height (I1) of 35/64". The I1 dimension corresponds to a specific portion of the cutting profile - typically the upper cutting zone - while the full I measurement represents the total usable cutting length. Together, these two values help you match the bit to the panel thickness you are working with.
What materials can this bit cut cleanly?
The 2-tooth carbide-tipped (HW grade) cutting head is suitable for solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, and similar wood-based panel materials commonly used in furniture and cabinet construction. The carbide grade maintains edge retention across these materials without requiring frequent resharpening under normal use conditions.
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