American Woodworker  Free Product Guide >>        Winter
2013-2014  Preview this issue   Carbide Insert Flush-Trim Bit
I use a flush-trim bit a lot, particularly for trimming face
frames to cabinet sides and parts flush with templates.
Unfortunately, after a few sharpenings, it's not a flush-trim
bit any more. It's an almost-flush-trim bit, because of the
cutter's reduced diameter. CMT's new carbide insert bits, $85,
solve this problem, plus a few others. “Whoa!” you say. “85
bucks for a flush-trim bit?” You're right; it's a lot of dough.
A comparable noninsert flush-trim bit with a 1/2-in. shank and
1-in. cut length costs around $35. But let's do a little math.
The carbide inserts are double-edged, so you automatically get
two bits for the price of one. That eliminates one $10
sharpening. After you've worn out the second edge, replacement
cutters are only $6 per pair, which is like getting two flush-
trim bits, because they're double-edged. So the inexpensive
replacement knives save you another $20 worth of