CMT Solid Carbide Dovetail Bit - 5/16 in. Diameter, 9 deg. Angle, 1/2 in. Shank is a precision-ground routing bit engineered for clean, tight-fitting dovetail joints in a wide range of woodworking projects. Built from solid carbide (HW material grade) rather than carbide-tipped construction, this bit delivers exceptional edge retention and surface finish, making it a reliable choice for professionals and hobbyists cutting through hardwood, softwood, and sheet goods alike. Compatible with the Incra routing system, it is well suited for router table use with a fence to achieve consistent dovetail profiles and chamfer angles on drawers, boxes, and cabinet components.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide Construction (HW Grade) - the entire cutting body is carbide, not just the tips, providing superior rigidity, heat resistance, and a longer service life compared to standard carbide-tipped bits.
• 9 deg. Dovetail Angle - a shallow, precise angle ideal for hand-cut-style dovetail routing and sliding dovetail joints, giving you mechanically strong, interlocking connections with excellent glue surface area.
• 5/16 in. Cutting Diameter - a compact cutting diameter well suited for detailed joinery work, drawer construction, and box making where fine proportions matter.
• 3/8 in. Cutting Height - provides adequate depth of engagement for through-dovetails and sliding dovetails in typical stock thicknesses without overloading the bit.
• 1/2 in. Shank - the larger 1/2 in. shank reduces vibration and deflection at the cutting edge, resulting in smoother passes and greater accuracy in both router table and handheld router setups.
• 2-Flute (2-Tooth) Design, Right-Hand Rotation - two cutting edges balance chip load and heat generation for a cleaner cut, while standard right-hand rotation makes it compatible with virtually all routers.
• Incra System Compatible - designed to work with the Incra joinery system, allowing repeatable, precision-indexed dovetail cuts without tedious setup time.
• 2-1/2 in. Total Length - sufficient overall length for reach in most router table configurations while maintaining bit stability during the cut.

Why This Product

• Solid carbide construction - not carbide-tipped - means the cutting geometry stays sharper longer, reducing the frequency of bit replacement and keeping edges crisp through extended production runs or repeated joinery setups.
• The 9 deg. angle is specifically proportioned for dovetail routing applications where a clean mechanical interlock is required, making this bit a purpose-built tool rather than a general-purpose compromise.
• Compatibility with the Incra routing system means you can achieve highly repeatable, indexed dovetail layouts - eliminating guesswork and reducing setup errors on drawer banks, box sets, and cabinet carcasses.
• The 1/2 in. shank paired with a compact 5/16 in. cutting diameter gives you the stability of a large-shank bit with the precision of a fine cutter - a practical combination for router table fence work and difficult chamfer angles.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 818.580.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 5/16 in.
• Angle: 9 deg.
• Cutting Height: 3/8 in.
• Total Length: 2-1/2 in.
• Shank: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Material: HW (Solid Carbide)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)

Approved Applications

• Dovetail joints in solid hardwood and softwood
• Sliding dovetail joinery
• Drawer construction
• Box making
• Cabinet component joinery
• Incra system dovetail routing
• Router table chamfer angle work with fence