The CMT Solid Carbide Dovetail Bit - 7/32 in. Diameter, 17 deg. Angle, 1/4 in. Shank is a precision-ground routing bit engineered for clean, accurate dovetail joinery in both handheld router and router table applications. Built from solid carbide (HWM material designation) rather than carbide-tipped steel, this bit delivers exceptional rigidity and edge retention when cutting the trapezoidal profiles required for tight-fitting dovetail joints, sliding dovetails, and drawer box construction. The 17 deg. cutting angle and compact 7/32 in. diameter make it especially well suited for fine joinery work and fitting Hoffmann key slots, including Hoffmann key models W1, W2, and W3.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide (HWM) Construction - the entire bit body is machined from solid carbide rather than a steel body with brazed tips, resulting in greater rigidity, reduced deflection, and a longer usable cutting life in both hardwood and composite materials.
• 17 deg. Dovetail Angle - produces the precise trapezoidal profile needed for mechanically locking dovetail joints; the consistent angle ensures repeatable, gap-free fits across multiple passes and workpieces.
• 7/32 in. Cutting Diameter - the narrow diameter targets fine joinery and Hoffmann key slot routing where larger bits cannot fit, giving woodworkers access to tight or narrow workpieces without sacrificing cut quality.
• 5/32 in. Cutting Height - optimized depth of cut matches the slot depth requirements for Hoffmann key models W1, W2, and W3, reducing the need for multiple setup adjustments.
• 2-Flute (2-Tooth) Design - dual cutting edges balance chip evacuation and surface finish quality, keeping the cut clean in hardwoods and softwoods while maintaining feed rate efficiency.
• Right-Hand Rotation (RH) - compatible with the standard spindle direction of virtually all handheld routers and router tables, so no special tooling or adapters are required.
• 1/4 in. Shank - fits the 1/4 in. collets found on the widest range of compact and full-size routers, making this bit accessible without requiring a collet reducer or specialty chuck.
• 1 11/16 in. Total Length - a compact overall length keeps the bit stable at operating speeds and minimizes runout, which is critical when routing narrow slots for Hoffmann keys and similar fine joinery hardware.
• Hoffmann Key Compatibility (W1, W2, W3) - specifically designed to produce slots that accept Hoffmann key models W1, W2, and W3, making this bit a direct solution for flat-pack and frame joinery assemblies that rely on Hoffmann connectors.

Why This Product

• If your project calls for Hoffmann key joinery using W1, W2, or W3 keys, this bit is purpose-built for that exact slot profile - the 17 deg. angle and 7/32 in. diameter are matched to those connector specifications, eliminating guesswork in setup.
• Solid carbide construction means the cutting edge holds up longer than carbide-tipped alternatives when working through dense hardwoods or abrasive sheet goods, reducing the frequency of bit changes mid-project.
• The 1/4 in. shank makes this bit a practical addition to any router kit without requiring a specialized collet - it works with the router you already own.
• At 7/32 in. diameter and 1 11/16 in. total length, this is a compact, purpose-specific dovetail bit that handles precision slot-cutting tasks that standard larger dovetail bits simply cannot reach.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 818.053.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 7/32 in.
• Angle: 17 deg.
• Cutting Height: 5/32 in.
• Total Length: 1 11/16 in.
• Shank: 1/4 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Material: HWM (Solid Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Hoffmann key slot routing (W1, W2, W3 key models)
• Dovetail joints in solid hardwood and softwood
• Sliding dovetail joints
• Drawer box construction
• Box and frame joinery
• Plywood, MDF, and sheet goods joinery