CMT Dovetail Router Bit - 3/8 in. Diameter, 9 deg. Angle, 1/2 in. Shank by CMT is a precision-ground carbide-tipped router bit engineered to cut the classic trapezoidal dovetail profile used in furniture making, drawer construction, and box joinery. With a 9 deg. cutting angle and a 3/8 in. cutting diameter, this bit is compatible with the Incra dovetail jig system and delivers smooth, repeatable dovetail joints in solid hardwood, softwood, and sheet goods. Whether you are routing by hand with a dovetail jig or working on a router table with a fence for sliding dovetails, this bit is built to handle both professional shop environments and hobbyist projects with equal precision.

Key Features

• 9 deg. Dovetail Angle: cuts the precise trapezoidal profile required for tight-fitting dovetail joinery, ensuring strong mechanical locking between mating pieces without relying solely on adhesive.
• 3/8 in. Cutting Diameter with 3/8 in. Cutting Height: sized for accurate, proportional dovetail joints in a wide range of workpiece thicknesses, giving you clean, finished cuts in a single pass when properly set up.
• HW (Carbide) Cutting Material: hard-wearing tungsten carbide cutting edges stay sharp through extended use in hardwood, softwood, and composite materials, reducing downtime spent on resharpening or replacement.
• 2-Flute (2-Tooth) Design: dual cutting edges balance the cutting load evenly, producing a smoother surface finish on dovetail walls while maintaining routing efficiency and bit stability.
• Right-Hand (RH) Rotation: designed for standard router operation, compatible with handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines running conventional right-hand spindle rotation.
• 1/2 in. Shank: the larger 1/2 in. shank provides superior rigidity and vibration damping compared to 1/4 in. shanks, resulting in cleaner cuts and reduced chatter during routing passes.
• Incra System Compatible: engineered to work with the Incra dovetail jig system, allowing woodworkers to achieve repeatable, precise dovetail layouts without complicated setup each time.
• 2-1/2 in. Total Length: compact overall length keeps the bit stable in the collet while providing adequate reach for through-cuts in typical drawer and box joinery applications.

Why This Product

• The 9 deg. angle is specifically matched to the Incra jig system, making this bit a direct fit for woodworkers already invested in that jig platform - no guesswork, no adapter needed.
• Routing a preliminary pass with a straight bit before switching to this dovetail bit reduces cutting stress on the carbide edges, extending bit life and producing cleaner, chip-free dovetail walls.
• The 1/2 in. shank combined with a 2-flute carbide cutting head makes this bit suitable for demanding hardwood species where smaller-shank bits may deflect or chatter, delivering tighter joint tolerances.
• Equally at home on a router table with a fence for precise sliding dovetail cuts as it is in a handheld setup with a jig, this bit adapts to multiple workshop configurations without compromising cut quality.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 818.596.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 3/8 in.
• Angle: 9 deg.
• Shank: 1/2 in.
• Cutting Height: 3/8 in.
• Total Length: 2-1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Cutting Material: HW (Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Dovetail joints in solid hardwood and softwood
• Sliding dovetail joints
• Drawer box construction
• Box and cabinet making
• Incra dovetail jig system routing
• Router table dovetail and chamfer routing with a fence