CMT Lettering Bit - 1" Diameter x 3/4" Cutting Height, 60 deg. Angle, 1/4" Shank is a precision-engineered routing bit from CMT, purpose-built for engraving letters, carving signage, and creating decorative relief work in wood and wood-based materials. The 60 deg. V-angle geometry allows clean, controlled cuts ideal for letter carving in relief, while a flattened bottom design makes it straightforward to level the area around the base of each letter and bevel the edges to eliminate splintering. Whether you are routing V-groove text, crafting decorative signs, or engraving lettering into solid hardwood, this bit delivers consistent, accurate results with reduced risk of splitting or chipping.

Key Features

• 60 deg. lettering angle - engineered specifically for V-groove letter carving and sign engraving, producing clean, legible letterforms without aggressive material removal that risks splitting or chipping.
• Flattened bottom design - allows you to efficiently level the surface area surrounding the base of each letter and bevel the edges simultaneously, eliminating splintering and improving the finished appearance of relief lettering.
• 1" cutting diameter with 3/4" cutting height - provides enough reach and width to handle both shallow decorative engraving and deeper relief letter-making with a single bit setup.
• 2-flute (2-tooth) carbide construction - hard metal (HW) carbide cutting edges maintain sharpness through repeated cuts in wood and composites, reducing the need for frequent bit changes.
• 1/4" shank diameter - fits a wide range of handheld routers and router tables equipped with standard 1/4" collets, making this bit broadly compatible with common shop setups.
• Right-hand rotation - matches the standard rotation direction of nearly all handheld routers and router tables, allowing straightforward installation and use without special configuration.
• 2" total length - compact overall profile keeps the bit stable and reduces vibration during letter carving and engraving passes, supporting cleaner cut edges.
• Compatible with a top bearing guide - the design allows use with a top bearing guide to produce even more attractive decorative effects and more controlled, guided passes along templates.

Why This Product

• The 60 deg. angle is the standard geometry for lettering and sign-making router bits - it produces the proportional, legible V-groove letterforms expected in both hand-guided and template-guided sign work, making it a practical choice for woodworkers focused on lettering applications.
• The exclusive flattened bottom geometry directly addresses one of the most common challenges in relief letter carving: leveling the field around each letter and beveling edges cleanly - tasks that would otherwise require additional tooling or hand work.
• With a 1/4" shank, this bit integrates with most standard collet routers already found in woodworking shops, requiring no specialized equipment or adapters to get started.
• The 2-flute hard metal carbide construction balances cutting efficiency with edge retention, giving sign makers and woodworkers a bit that holds up through multiple projects rather than dulling quickly on harder species or composite boards.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 849.001.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Bit Type: Lettering Bit
• Angle: 60 deg.
• Diameter: 1"
• Cutting Height: 3/4"
• Total Length: 2"
• Shank: 1/4"
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Material: HW (Hard Metal Carbide)
• Rotation: Right-hand (RH)

Approved Applications

• Letter carving in relief on wood panels and sign blanks
• V-groove lettering for decorative and functional signage
• Engraving in solid hardwood and softwood
• Template-guided lettering with a top bearing guide
• Decorative edge beveling around carved letters to eliminate splintering
• Sign making on plywood, MDF, and wood composites