CMT Bowl and Tray Bit - 1 1/4" Diameter x 5/8" Cutting Height, 1/4" Radius, 1/2" Shank is a precision router bit engineered for shaping smooth, radiused recesses in wood craft projects. With a 1/4" corner radius, this 2-flute carbide-tipped bit cleanly coves the bottom corners of bowls, serving trays, storage boxes, cutting boards, and other specialty woodworking items - producing a uniform flat bottom with gracefully rounded interior edges in a single pass. Designed for right-hand rotation and compatible with 1/2" shank routers, this bit performs reliably on a router table with a bearing guide for decorative edgework and pattern routing applications.

Key Features

• 1/4" Corner Radius - shapes the inner transition between the wall and floor of bowls, trays, and boxes, producing smooth, consistent curves without secondary sanding steps.
• 1 1/4" Cutting Diameter x 5/8" Cutting Height - removes material efficiently across a wide path in a single pass, reducing the number of passes needed to achieve full recess depth.
• 2-Flute HW (Carbide) Construction - dual cutting edges made from hard carbide material deliver clean cuts in solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, and composite sheet goods.
• 1/2" Shank Diameter - the larger shank provides greater stability and reduced vibration compared to smaller shanks, resulting in a smoother cut surface and improved accuracy.
• 2-3/8" Total Length - compact overall length keeps the bit rigid in the collet, minimizing deflection and helping maintain consistent cutting depth across the workpiece.
• Right-Hand Rotation - standard RH rotation is compatible with the vast majority of fixed-base, plunge, and table-mounted routers, making this bit broadly usable without special tooling.
• Pattern and Bearing Work Compatible - designed to be used with a top bearing for accurate, repeatable pattern routing, expanding its usefulness beyond freehand bowl shaping to templated production work.

Why This Product

• The 1/4" radius corner geometry simultaneously shapes the side walls and the flat bottom floor of a recess in one operation, saving setup time when routing trays, serving boards, or inlay panels.
• The 1/2" shank size offers superior rigidity over 1/4" shank alternatives, which translates to less chatter and a cleaner finished surface - especially valuable when routing harder species or larger recesses.
• Recommending use with a top bearing and a router table bearing guide means this bit can follow templates precisely, making it a practical choice for consistent, repeatable craft production rather than one-off projects only.
• At 2-3/8" total length with 5/8" of cutting height, the bit provides enough depth capacity for typical bowl and tray recesses while staying short enough to remain stable - a practical balance for tabletop craft routing work.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 851.502.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Cutting Diameter: 1 1/4"
• Cutting Height: 5/8"
• Radius: 1/4"
• Shank Diameter: 1/2"
• Total Length: 2-3/8"
• Number of Flutes: 2
• Cutting Material: HW (Carbide)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)

Approved Applications

• Routing interior recesses for wooden bowls
• Shaping serving tray recesses
• Routing storage box interiors
• Cutting board recess routing
• Specialty and craft woodworking items
• Decorative edgework on a router table with bearing guide
• Template and pattern routing with a top bearing