The CMT Solid Carbide Dovetail Bit - 1/4 in. Diameter, 7.5 deg. Angle, 1/2 in. Shank is a precision-ground routing bit engineered for clean, accurate dovetail joinery in woodworking applications. Built from solid carbide (HW material grade) rather than carbide-tipped steel, this bit delivers exceptional rigidity and edge retention when cutting the trapezoidal profiles required for traditional dovetail joints, sliding dovetails, drawer construction, and box making. With a right-hand rotation, a 2-tooth cutting geometry, and compatibility with the Incra dovetail system, it is a reliable choice for both router table setups and handheld router work where precision fit and finish are essential.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide (HW) Construction - the entire cutting body is machined from carbide rather than having carbide tips brazed onto a steel body, meaning greater stiffness, reduced deflection, and longer cutting life - especially when routing hardwoods or abrasive sheet goods.
• 7.5 deg. Dovetail Angle - this shallow angle is specifically matched to Incra system templates and similar precision jigs, ensuring a tight mechanical interlock between dovetail pins and tails without excessive undercutting.
• 1/4 in. Cutting Diameter with 5/16 in. Cutting Height - the compact cutting diameter combined with a 5/16 in. depth of cut allows precise, detailed dovetail profiles in thinner stock and narrow workpieces where larger bits would be impractical.
• 2-Flute (2-Tooth) Geometry - dual cutting edges balance feed rate and chip evacuation, producing a smoother surface finish on the dovetail walls and reducing the need for hand-fitting or cleanup passes.
• 1/2 in. Shank - the large-diameter shank maximizes the contact area in the collet, reducing vibration and chatter during the cut for more accurate, repeatable dovetail profiles.
• Right-Hand Rotation - standard right-hand rotation is compatible with virtually all routers and router tables, making this bit a straightforward drop-in for existing setups.
• 2 1/2 in. Total Length - the overall length provides sufficient clearance above the collet nut when used in a router table with a fence, allowing access to the cutting zone without interference.
• Designed for Incra System Compatibility - engineered to work seamlessly with Incra dovetail jigs, meaning woodworkers who already own that system can achieve perfectly indexed, repeatable joints right out of the box.

Why This Product

• Woodworkers who use the Incra dovetail jig system will find this bit purpose-built for that platform - the 7.5 deg. angle matches Incra templates directly, eliminating the guesswork of finding a compatible bit from a generic selection.
• Solid carbide construction means this bit holds its edge significantly longer than carbide-tipped alternatives when routing dense hardwoods or abrasive materials, reducing downtime for tool changes during production runs or repetitive joinery work.
• The 1/4 in. diameter cutting profile is well suited to fine joinery in thinner stock - applications like small drawer construction or box making where a larger dovetail would look coarse or weaken the joint.
• Running a first pass with a straight bit before switching to this dovetail bit - as recommended in the product guidance - reduces load on the cutting edges and results in cleaner, fully-formed dovetail profiles with less risk of tearout on the finished face.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 818.564.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 1/4 in.
• Angle: 7.5 deg.
• Cutting Height: 5/16 in.
• Total Length: 2 1/2 in.
• Shank: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Material: Solid Carbide (HW)

Approved Applications

• Dovetail joints (hand-cut dovetail routing with dovetail jigs)
• Sliding dovetails
• Drawer construction
• Box making
• Router table routing with fence for chamfer angles
• Incra system dovetail jig routing