Product Description
CMT 310.055.12 Dowel Drill - 7/32" x 1 1/16" x 2 17/64" Left-Hand by CMT is a precision-ground, carbide-tipped boring tool engineered for clean, accurate dowel hole drilling in panel processing and cabinet production environments. Designed to rotate left-hand (LH), this short-series drill with a 57.5mm overall length is purpose-built for use in multi-spindle CNC boring machines, panel processing centers, and CNC boring centers where consistent flat-bottom blind holes are essential. With a 10x27mm parallel shank and two negatively ground spurs, it delivers smooth, tearout-free bores in solid wood, chipboard, MDF, laminates, and coated panels - making it a reliable choice for high-volume cabinet and furniture manufacturing operations.
Key Features
- Tungsten Carbide (HW) Cutting Material - hard metal construction maintains a sharp, consistent edge through demanding production runs in dense materials like MDF, chipboard, and hardwood, reducing the frequency of tool changes and downtime.
- Left-Hand (LH) Rotation - matches the spindle rotation requirements of dedicated LH boring positions on multi-spindle machines, ensuring proper chip ejection and hole quality without reworking tool orientation.
- Negatively Ground Spurs (2 Spurs) - precision-ground spur geometry scores the material boundary cleanly before the main flutes remove waste, producing flat-bottom blind holes with crisp, clean walls and no fiber tearout on chipboard, laminates, and coated panels.
- Two-Flute Design with 27mm Cutting Height - the dual flute configuration efficiently evacuates chips over the full 27mm cutting depth, preventing clogging and heat buildup that can degrade hole quality in plastics and laminates.
- 10x27mm Parallel Shank - the standardized shank dimensions provide a secure, repeatable grip in CNC boring machine chucks and adapters, ensuring accurate positioning and minimal runout across production cycles.
- Short Series Format (57.5mm Total Length) - the compact 57.5mm overall length reduces deflection and vibration during high-speed boring, contributing to tighter hole tolerances and a cleaner finished surface in cabinet and panel work.
Why This Product
- For cabinet shops and panel processors running left-hand spindle positions, this drill provides the correct LH rotation geometry to achieve proper chip clearance and clean hole entry - eliminating the surface damage that results from using a right-hand bit in an LH spindle position.
- The negatively ground spur configuration is specifically suited to laminated panels and coated boards, where a poorly ground cutting edge causes chipping and surface delamination around the hole perimeter - a critical quality concern in visible furniture components.
- The 7/32" diameter and 27mm cutting depth match standard dowel hole sizing requirements used in traditional Euro-style cabinet construction and flat-pack furniture assembly, making this drill a direct fit for common CNC boring programs without diameter adjustments.
- Hard metal (HW/carbide) construction provides substantially greater wear resistance compared to high-speed steel alternatives when drilling abrasive materials like MDF and particleboard, extending tool service life and lowering per-hole tooling cost in production settings.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 310.055.12
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Dowel Drill
- Diameter: 7/32"
- Cutting Height: 27mm (1 1/16")
- Total Length: 57.5mm (2 17/64")
- Shank: 10x27mm
- Number of Flutes: 2
- Number of Spurs: 2
- Spur Sharpening: Negatively ground spurs
- Blade Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)
- Rotation: Left-Hand (LH)
- Series: Short Series
Approved Applications
- Chipboard and particleboard panel boring
- MDF and HDF sheet goods
- Hardwood and softwood solid lumber
- Plywood and engineered wood panels
- Laminates and coated panels
- Blind hole dowel pocket drilling for cabinet and furniture assembly
- Multi-spindle CNC boring machine applications
- CNC boring center and panel processing center operations
- Boring machines with adapter or chuck
Frequently Asked Questions
What does left-hand (LH) rotation mean and why does it matter for my boring machine?
Left-hand rotation means the drill spins counterclockwise when viewed from the shank end. Many multi-spindle CNC boring machines have dedicated LH spindle positions that rotate in the opposite direction from standard right-hand spindles. Using a LH drill in those positions ensures the cutting flutes engage the material correctly, chips eject properly, and hole walls are clean. Installing a right-hand bit in a LH spindle would cause the bit to rub rather than cut, producing poor hole quality and accelerated tool wear.
What is the shank size and how does this drill mount in a boring machine?
This drill uses a 10x27mm parallel shank, which is a standard dimension for dowel drills used in multi-spindle CNC boring machines and panel processing centers. The shank fits directly into compatible boring machine chucks or adapters designed for the 10mm diameter parallel shank format. Always verify your machine's spindle chuck specifications against the 10x27mm shank before installation.
What materials can this dowel drill bore through effectively?
The carbide (HW) cutting material and negatively ground spur geometry make this drill well suited for chipboard, particleboard, MDF, HDF, hardwood, softwood, plywood, laminates, and coated panels. The spur design is particularly important for laminated and coated surfaces, where it scores the surface layer cleanly to prevent chipping or delamination around the hole perimeter.
What is the maximum drilling depth this bit can achieve?
The cutting height of this drill is 27mm, which corresponds to the usable boring depth the flutes can actively clear chips from. For standard dowel joinery applications, the 27mm cutting depth accommodates typical blind dowel pocket depths used in Euro-style cabinet and furniture construction. The total length of the drill is 57.5mm, with the 10x27mm shank portion accounting for the mounting length outside the workpiece.
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