CMT slot cutter set called fast and versatile
By Jennifer Hicks, Staff Writer

CMT’s new adjustable slot cutter set, introduced at IWF last August, is a versatile system for both hand-held and CNC routers, designed to create various slots, grooves and rabbets when using the correct cutter combinations.

The set includes four different bearings that allow cutting depths of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" and 9/16", as well as six tungsten carbide slot wing cutters in 1/16", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" and 1/4" sizes.

Furniture maker Andy Rae of Asheville, N.C., also a woodworking teacher and author, recently tested the cutter set in his shop after it was given to him for review by CMT. Rae said that while the set is most ideal for cutting biscuit joints and milling tongue and groove joints, its capabilities go well beyond those applications.

“It allows you to reconfigure the cutter in different widths to cut wide grooves up to 9/16",” Rae said. “You can also space the cutters apart with bearings in between them so that you would be cutting, in effect, a stub tenon or a tongue between the two cutters and cutting shoulders above and below.”

The CMT set also features “topless slotters,” a term trademarked by the company, referring to a screw that attaches the cutter to the arbor, rather than a nut. The topless cutters can be configured in 1/8", 5/32" and 1/4" cutting heights.

“When you’re doing a router table operation, the workpiece can go over the top of the cutter. So you can have a large arching rail and not have the nut get in the way of any overhanging wood, which opens up a lot of versatility in terms of what kind of slots you’re going to cut,” Rae explained.

Rae said the slot cutter set is very quick and easy to work with and that there are no clogging issues. He does, however, suggest the system be used with a variable speed router when stacking several cutters.

“You have to be mindful as a woodworker that if you start attaching three slotting cutters or more, you should consider dialing down the speed to probably around 12,000 to 15,000 rpm or less, as opposed to a typical 24,000 to 25,000 rpm at full speed.”

The set sells for $249, but individual arbor and slot assemblies can be bought for $35 apiece, allowing customers to build up their sets over time.

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