📏 CMT 854502-11 2-Inch 8-Inch Radius Review

I needed this drill bit to round off a figured maple that was very difficult to work with. The cut was so clean I didn't even have to finish it. I have over 40 CMT cutters and have never had a problem with any of them. They hold a sharp edge very well and cut cleanly. The only reason I'll buy anything else is if CMT doesn't make it.

The description must be written by someone who has never used a router. The chisel arrived and of course the chisel diameter is 7/8", but that is almost irrelevant information. The radius of this chisel is 1/8", which is not what I wanted. Nowhere in the description was this mentioned. A radius of 1/8" gives a bead diameter of 1/4". I thought I'd get some with a 7/8" bead diameter. Hence one star for the poor description.

Using this router bit in a router table without a pilot bearing can be crazy. Mine came without a pilot bearing, so setting the fence on the router table requires precise alignment with the innermost radius point on the router bit. This point must line up exactly with the exit side of the fence or you will end up with a snipe at the end of the cut. It is very difficult to find exactly this point inside the radius. You use a lot of old wood for test cuts. Like I said, it's crazy. I wish there…