CMT Solid Carbide Straight Bit Short Series - 5/16 in. Diameter, 1/2 in. Shank by CMT is a precision-ground routing bit engineered for clean, accurate straight cuts in plywood, composites, and natural woods. Built from micrograin solid carbide and protected with CMT's trademark orange non-stick coating, this short-series straight bit delivers the durability and cutting consistency demanded by both industrial production environments and serious woodworking shops. With a compact 2-3/4 in. total length and a 1/2 in. shank, it seats securely in handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines for repeatable, high-quality results across a wide range of materials.

Key Features

• Solid Carbide (HWM) Construction - the entire cutting body is formed from micrograin carbide, not just the tips, giving this bit far greater wear resistance and tool life compared to standard high-speed steel bits, especially when routing abrasive materials like plywood or composites.
• Fatigue-Proof Steel Body - the shank and body are made from special fatigue-proof steel that absorbs the mechanical stress of heavy production workloads, reducing the risk of breakage or deflection during aggressive passes.
• Orange Non-Stick P.T.F.E. Coating - CMT's proprietary surface coating prevents resin, pitch, and wood residue from bonding to the bit, which keeps cutting edges cleaner for longer and reduces friction-related heat buildup during extended routing sessions.
• 2-Flute Design - the double-edged cutter geometry balances chip evacuation and surface finish, making it suitable for both aggressive material removal in dadoes and grooves as well as cleaner finish passes in mortising and template routing applications.
• Short Series Profile - the compact cutting height-to-length ratio improves rigidity and reduces vibration during cutting, which translates directly into tighter tolerances, straighter walls, and smoother groove bottoms.
• Right-Hand Rotation (RH) - compatible with the standard spindle direction of virtually all handheld routers, router tables, and CNC routing machines, so no special setup or tooling is required.
• Strict Quality Testing - every bit is individually tested for cutting tolerance, balance, and concentricity before leaving the factory, ensuring the bit runs true and cuts accurately from the very first pass.

Why This Product

• The solid carbide construction - rather than carbide-tipped - makes this bit the right choice when routing abrasive sheet goods, laminates, and hardwood where tip-only bits wear out quickly and lose edge sharpness before the job is done.
• The short series profile reduces tool deflection in deep passes, making it a reliable option for CNC routing machines and router table setups where precision groove depth and wall straightness are critical to joinery fit.
• The P.T.F.E. non-stick coating solves a common production problem - resin and pitch accumulation - by keeping the cutting surfaces clear so the bit continues to perform at rated capacity without frequent cleaning stops.
• With a 1/2 in. shank paired to a 5/16 in. cutting diameter, this bit provides a strong, low-runout connection to the router collet, which is especially important when routing narrow dadoes and grooves where even small amounts of wobble cause oversized or tapered cuts.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 811.581.11
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 5/16 in.
• Cutting Height: 1 in.
• Total Length: 2-3/4 in.
• Shank: 1/2 in.
• Number of Teeth: 2
• Material: Solid Carbide (HWM)
• Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
• Product Type: Solid Carbide Straight Bit Short Series

Approved Applications

• Straight cuts - dadoes, grooves, and rabbets in solid wood and sheet goods
• Mortising operations in hardwood and softwood
• Template routing with guide bushings or bearing guides
• Plywood joinery and cabinet construction
• Composite panel and laminate routing
• CNC routing machine production runs