CMT Contractor Keyhole Bit - 3/8" Diameter, 1/4" Shank is a single-flute, carbide-tipped routing bit designed to cut keyhole slots and hanging grooves in wood, plywood, and laminates - giving you a clean, hardware-free solution for wall-mounting picture frames, plaques, shelves, and mirrors. Built by CMT with hardened carbide and a right-hand rotation, this keyhole router bit delivers precise, repeatable T-slot profiles whether you're working at a router table, with a handheld router, or on a CNC routing machine.

Key Features

• Keyhole slot cutting capability - creates recessed hanging grooves in a wide range of materials, including solid hardwood, plywood, and laminates, eliminating the need for exposed mounting hardware on finished pieces
• Single-tooth (1 flute) carbide-tipped (HW) design - delivers clean, accurate cuts in wood and sheet goods while keeping the bit profile tight and maneuverable in smaller workpieces
• Right-hand (RH) rotation - matches standard router spindle direction for smooth, controlled feed rate and consistent groove quality on every pass
• 1/4" shank diameter - fits the most common router collets, making this bit compatible with a wide range of handheld routers, router tables, and CNC machines without adapters
• 3/8" cutting diameter with 4.8mm small diameter - creates a properly proportioned keyhole profile that accepts standard screwhead mounting hardware for a flush, secure hang
• 7/16" cutting height and 1 7/8" total length - provides sufficient depth engagement for a full keyhole slot profile while keeping overall bit length compact for stable, chatter-free operation
• CMT Orange Shield non-stick coating - prevents heat buildup, reduces pitch and resin accumulation on the bit body, and protects against corrosion to extend tool life between sharpenings
• SinterHIP industrial chrome carbide - carbide tips are processed via Hot Isostatic Pressing to prevent material failure under load and extend overall cutting life in demanding production environments
• Tri-metal brazing (silver-copper-silver) - bonds the carbide tip to the body using a three-layer braze for superior adhesion when cutting harder woods or composite materials, reducing the risk of tip separation
• Anti-kickback design - controls the maximum depth of cut per pass to minimize kickback risk, improving operator safety during freehand and table-mounted routing operations

Why This Product

• Purpose-built keyhole geometry means you get a properly shaped T-slot groove in a single pass - no secondary operations, no chiseling, and no exposed fasteners on your finished woodwork or laminate panel
• The 1/4" shank makes this bit an immediate drop-in fit for virtually any compact or full-size router you already own, so there's no need for specialty collets or adapters to get started
• CMT's SinterHIP carbide and tri-metal brazing work together to keep the cutting tip secure and sharp through repeated use in hardwoods, plywood, MDF, chipboard, and laminates - materials commonly encountered in cabinetry, signage, and furniture work
• The anti-kickback body geometry and orange shield coating address two of the most common frustrations with keyhole routing - unexpected kickback during plunge entry and resin fouling on the bit - giving you more consistent results and longer intervals between tool maintenance

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 85001
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 3/8"
• Small Diameter: 4.8mm
• Cutting Height: 7/16"
• Total Length: 1 7/8"
• Shank: 1/4"
• Number of Teeth: 1
• Blade Material: Carbide-Tipped (HW)
• Rotation: Right-hand (RH)
• Product Type: Keyhole Bit

Approved Applications

• Routing keyhole slots for wall-mounting pictures and plaques
• Cutting hanging grooves in picture frames, mirrors, and shelves
• T-slot routing in solid hardwood and softwood
• Keyhole grooving in plywood, MDF, chipboard, and laminates
• Hardware-free wall-mount slot production in melamine and plastic panels