CMT 806.690.11 Super-Duty Flush Trim Router Bit 1/2-Inch Shank, 3/4-Inch Bearing, 3/4-Inch Cutting Diameter, 2-Inch Cutting Length

• Freud 42-114 Bearing Flush Trim Bit 1/2 Diameter, 1/2" shank with TiCo Hi-Density Carbide
• CMT 812.691.11B Pattern Router Bit 1/2-Inch Shank, 3/4-Inch Cutting Diameter, 2-Inch Cutting Length With 3/4-Inch Bearing
• CMT 811.127.11B Pattern Router Bit 1/4-Inch Shank, 1/2-Inch Cutting Diameter, 3/4-Inch Cutting Length With 1/2-Inch Bearing
• CMT 800.626.11 2-Piece Tongue and Groove 1/2-inch Shank Router Bit Set
• Wixey WR300 Digital Angle Gauge

Fixing this would be an easy job for a jointer, but I don't have one. After running these through a thickness planer, the broad sides were parallel, but the two edges were neither parallel nor normal to the broad surfaces. I can't speak to other uses of the bit -- such as flush trimming -- but am very happy with it in the role of a jointer blade. It has a bearing which simplifies aligning the outfeed fence, but otherwise isn't used in my application. In making an interior door with materials on hand, I glued up.75" cedar strips into 1.75"x7" rails and 1.75"x4.5" stiles. However, it turns out that my Kreg PRS1040 Precision Router Table System has the unexpectedly serendipitous capability to function as a jointer, limited among other things by the cutting length of the router bit. I don't want to overstate this -- basically this bit gives me a 2" short bed jointer with limited adjustability, but it doesn't take up any extra floor space and it's way better than no jointer at all. So, I ordered this bit.

Both of the other bits had burn marks on their carbide blades, but the CMT finished the job and came out completely clean (no burn marks). The material is extremely dense, and we broke the bearings off of two other bits, one USA made that took off about half the material before breaking, and the other a China made one that lasted only about 5 minutes. The speed was turned down to the lowest setting, 10,000 RPM.Now that I've tried CMT, any future bit purchases will be CMT as long as I can find them. It was also quieter.We were using a Milwaukee 3.5 HP router with D handles with this bit. I just purchased this bit today from my local Woodcraft store at a price greater than the suggested list price, but it was worth every penny.My wife and I are working on a sink cut-out in a Paperstone counter top, doing a final flush cut to the already mounted under-mount sink. The CMT also cut with much less pressure and produced nice large slivers of material instead of dust. Enjoy. The resultant surface was noticeably smoother than with the other bits.