CMT 823.332.11B Slot Cutter by CMT is a precision-engineered carbide-tipped routing bit designed for cutting clean, accurate slots, grooves, and rabbets in wood panels and composite sheet materials. With a 1 7/8 in. cutting diameter, a 1/8 in. kerf width, and a 1/2 in. cutting depth, this bit delivers consistent results in T-slot routing, spline groove work, panel joinery, and connector installation. The right-hand rotation, anti-kickback body, and PTFE non-stick coating make it a reliable choice for handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing setups alike.

Key Features

• 3-tooth carbide-tipped (HW) cutters - three evenly spaced carbide teeth provide smooth, balanced cutting action that reduces vibration and delivers cleaner slot walls in hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, and laminates.
• Orange PTFE non-stick coating - resists pitch and resin buildup on the bit body, reduces heat accumulation during extended cuts, and protects against corrosion to extend overall tool life.
• Anti-kickback body design - limits the depth of engagement on each pass, reducing the risk of sudden grabbing or kickback during freehand and table-mounted routing operations.
• 22mm (7/8 in.) bearing included - the guide bearing is included in the package, enabling a consistent cutting depth of 12.7mm (1/2 in.) without additional setup hardware.
• 1/2 in. shank - the full 1/2 in. shank diameter provides a secure, stable grip in router collets, reducing runout and improving cut accuracy compared to smaller shank options.
• 1/8 in. kerf width with 0.051 in. plate thickness - produces precise, narrow slots suited for splines, biscuit-style connectors, and panel-to-panel joinery with minimal material removal.
• Right-hand rotation - compatible with the standard rotation direction of virtually all handheld routers and router tables, requiring no special tooling or motor configuration.
• Available separately from the arbor - the slot cutter head can be purchased independently, allowing for mix-and-match configurations with compatible CMT arbors and bearing sets for different kerf widths or depths.

Why This Product

• The included 22mm bearing means you can go straight from unboxing to routing accurate 1/2 in. deep grooves - no separate bearing purchase is needed to get started.
• The anti-kickback geometry and PTFE coating work together to make this cutter safer and easier to control in both handheld and table-mounted applications, particularly when routing long panel edges or narrow workpieces.
• Three carbide teeth and a 1 7/8 in. diameter allow efficient material removal in a single pass through hardwood, MDF, melamine, and laminated panels - versatile enough to handle a wide range of cabinetry and joinery tasks without bit changes.
• The slot cutter head is available separately from the arbor, giving woodworkers and cabinet shops the flexibility to build a set of slot cutters at different kerfs and depths by swapping heads on a shared arbor - a cost-effective approach for shops running multiple groove profiles.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 823.332.11B
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 1 7/8 in.
• Cutting Depth: 12.7mm (1/2 in.)
• Teeth Thickness (Kerf): 1/8 in.
• Total Length: 2 17/64 in.
• Plate Thickness: 0.051 in.
• Shank: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 3
• Material: HW (Carbide-Tipped)
• Rotation: Right-hand (RH)

Approved Applications

• Groove and rabbet routing in solid wood panels
• T-slot cutting for connector hardware installation
• Spline groove routing for panel alignment and joinery
• Dovetail-style and panel-to-panel joint preparation
• Slot cutting in plywood, MDF, chipboard, melamine, and laminated sheet goods
• Plastic and composite panel slotting

What's Included

• 1x CMT 823.332.11B Slot Cutter head (1 7/8 in. diameter, 1/8 in. kerf, 1/2 in. cutting depth)
• 1x 22mm (7/8 in.) guide bearing

Frequently Asked Questions

What width groove does the CMT 823.332.11B cut?

This slot cutter produces a 1/8 in. wide groove. The plate thickness is 0.051 in., and the three carbide-tipped teeth are ground to a 1/8 in. kerf width, making it well suited for spline joinery, panel connectors, and T-slot applications that require a narrow, precise slot.

Is the guide bearing included, or does it need to be purchased separately?

The 22mm (7/8 in.) guide bearing is included with this slot cutter. It is set up to deliver a cutting depth of 12.7mm (1/2 in.) when used with the bearing riding against the workpiece edge. No additional bearing purchase is required to begin routing.

Can the slot cutter head be used without the arbor, or purchased separately from it?

Yes - according to the product data, the slot cutter head and the arbor are available separately. This allows woodworkers to purchase just the cutter head to add a new kerf width or replace a worn cutter, while continuing to use an existing compatible CMT arbor.

What materials can this slot cutter be used on?

The carbide-tipped (HW) cutters on this bit are suited for use on solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, melamine, laminates, and plastic panels. The PTFE non-stick coating helps manage resin and pitch buildup when working with resinous woods or coated sheet goods.