Product Description
CMT Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Mortising Bit - 1/2" Diameter, DLCS Coated, Right-Hand Rotation is a premium compression spiral router cutter engineered for clean, chip-free cutting on both faces of a workpiece in a single pass. Built entirely from solid micrograin carbide and protected by a DLCS (diamond-like carbon) chrome coating, this 2+2 tooth mortising bit delivers industrial-grade performance for CNC routing operations in hardwood, plywood, MDF, laminates, and melamine. The up-and-downcut geometry works simultaneously - pulling chips upward and pressing the top face downward - eliminating tearout on both surfaces, which makes it the go-to choice for through-cuts in sheet goods where surface quality matters on both sides.
Key Features
- Solid Carbide Construction (HWM Grade) - the entire bit body is machined from premium micrograin carbide, not just the tips, giving the cutter superior wear resistance and the ability to withstand more resharpenings over its service life compared to carbide-tipped alternatives.
- DLCS Chrome Coating (Diamond-Like Carbon) - a modified diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity that significantly extends tool life, reduces friction heat buildup, and protects the cutting edges during high-cycle CNC production runs.
- Up/Downcut Compression Geometry - 2+2 Spiral Flute Configuration - two upcut flutes and two downcut flutes work together to shear both faces of the workpiece cleanly in a single pass, eliminating edge tearout on top and bottom surfaces simultaneously - ideal for double-sided laminates, melamine panels, and finish-grade plywood.
- 1/2" Shank Diameter - the full 1/2" shank provides maximum grip and rigidity in both CNC spindle collets and handheld router chucks, reducing vibration and deflection during deep mortising cuts.
- Right-Hand (RH) Rotation - standard right-hand rotation is compatible with the vast majority of CNC routers, router tables, and handheld routers, allowing drop-in use without any spindle modification.
- 1-3/8" Primary Cutting Height with 13/64" Secondary Cutting Height - the combination of a deep primary cutting zone and a shorter secondary cutting zone gives this bit versatility across both through-cuts in sheet goods and shallow mortising operations.
Why This Product
- For CNC operators cutting double-sided laminates, melamine, or finish plywood, the up/downcut compression geometry is the definitive solution to tearout - both faces come off the machine clean, eliminating the need for sanding or edge cleanup that slows production.
- The DLCS diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity is specifically engineered for industrial CNC tool demands, making this bit a longer-lasting choice for high-feed-rate and high-volume cutting applications compared to uncoated carbide.
- Solid carbide construction throughout - not carbide-tipped - means the cutting edges hold geometry longer under heat and friction, and the bit can be resharpened more times before replacement, reducing the cost-per-cut over its working life.
- With a 1/2" shank, 1-3/8" cutting height, and 3-1/2" total length, this bit covers the dimensional range needed for through-mortising in standard sheet material thicknesses while maintaining enough shank length for secure collet engagement on CNC and table-mounted routers.
Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 190.517.41
- Brand: CMT Orange Tools
- Product Type: Solid Carbide Up/Downcut Mortising Bit
- Diameter: 1/2"
- Cutting Height: 1-3/8"
- Secondary Cutting Height: 13/64"
- Total Length: 3-1/2"
- Shank Diameter: 1/2"
- Number of Teeth: 2 + 2
- Rotation: Right-Hand (RH)
- Blade Material: Solid Carbide (HWM)
- Coating: DLCS (Diamond-Like Carbon, Chrome)
- Product Class: Spiral Router Cutter
Approved Applications
- CNC Routing - through-cuts and mortising operations
- Router Table - compression cutting in sheet goods
- Handheld Router - plunge and routing cuts
- Through-Cuts in Plywood and Finish Plywood
- Clean Two-Face Cuts in MDF and Chipboard
- Double-Sided Laminate and Melamine Panel Cutting
- Plastic Routing
- Solid Hardwood and Softwood Mortising
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DLCS coating and why does it matter for router bit performance?
DLCS stands for a modified diamond-like carbon coating with enhanced load-bearing capacity. Applied to the cutting surfaces of this bit, it reduces friction and heat buildup during cutting, extends the working life of the carbide edges, and is specifically designed for the demands of industrial CNC tooling. It is not a standard coating - the enhanced load-bearing capacity is engineered to handle the high feed rates and continuous duty cycles common in CNC production environments.
What is the difference between the two cutting height dimensions listed - 1-3/8" and 13/64"?
This bit has two distinct cutting zones as part of its up/downcut compression design. The primary cutting height of 1-3/8" represents the full working depth of the flutes, while the secondary cutting height of 13/64" represents the shorter downcut portion of the compression geometry. The downcut flutes shear the bottom face of the material cleanly while the upcut flutes clear chips from the top - together they produce a chip-free surface on both sides of the workpiece.
Is this bit compatible with a standard router table or handheld router, or is it only for CNC machines?
This bit features a 1/2" shank and right-hand (RH) rotation, which is the standard configuration for CNC routing machines, router tables, and handheld routers equipped with a 1/2" collet. It is compatible with all three machine types. However, the up/downcut compression geometry is most effective during through-cuts where both faces of the material need to remain clean - a use case most commonly found in CNC production routing.
What materials can this solid carbide mortising bit cut effectively?
Based on the product data, this bit is suited for cutting solid hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, chipboard, laminates, melamine, and plastic. The solid carbide (HWM) construction and DLCS coating make it particularly well-suited for abrasive engineered sheet materials like MDF and melamine-faced panels, where carbide-tipped bits would wear more quickly and where tearout-free faces on both surfaces are critical.
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