Freud Straight Router Bit 04-540 16mm Metric Double Flute (1/4 Inch Shank TiCo Carbide 24000 RPM CNC Grooving Metric Hardware Cabinet Joinery)

The Freud 04-540 is a 16mm (0.630-inch) overall cutting diameter double flute straight router bit engineered for exact metric cabinet hardware installation, specialized joinery grooving, and mortise routing. Built with a 1/4-inch shank and a 3/4-inch carbide cutting height, this 2-flute tool features end-relieved tip geometry that enables clean plunge cuts directly into solid timber and composite sheet goods. Tipped with TiCo™ Hi-Density Micrograin Carbide and computer-balanced for low-vibration operation, it operates at rotational speeds up to 24,000 RPM across CNC machinery, router tables, or handheld routers in solid hardwoods, softwoods, plywood, and abrasive wood composites.

Best Used For:

• European & Metric Cabinet Hardware Mounting: Milling exact 16mm pockets and recesses for European knock-down hardware, specialty hinges, and mechanical fasteners.
• Precision Metric Dado & Groove Milling: Machining 16mm wide dado channels and joinery slots in metric panel stock without slop or binding.
• Plunge Pocketing & Interior Cutouts: Diving vertically into wood panels to execute clean plunge routing for recessed hardware, interior pockets, and mortises.

Key Performance & Safety Features

• Precise 16mm Metric Cutting Diameter: Machined specifically to meet European hardware standards and exact metric woodworking tolerances.
• TiCo™ Hi-Density Micrograin Carbide: Custom-formulated titanium-cobalt carbide tips maintain long-lasting edge sharpness under heavy heat and thermal friction.
• End-Relieved Plunge Cut Tip: Precision-ground tip face permits vertical drilling entry for starting internal grooves, pockets, and mortises.
• Dual-Flute Precision Balance: Computer-balanced twin cutters distribute chip load evenly to reduce vibration and produce smooth sidewalls.
• Optimized Hook & Shear Angles: Shear-angled cutting geometry slices through wood fibers cleanly to minimize chip tearout and burning.
• 24,000 RPM Maximum Speed Rating: Engineered to remain structurally balanced at high spindle speeds in table-mounted and CNC setups.

What's Included

• (1) Freud 04-540 16mm Metric Double Flute Straight Router Bit with 1/4" Shank

Technical Specifications

Pro-Tip: When routing 16mm wide dadoes using a 1/4-inch shank bit, make cuts in shallow, incremental pass depths to reduce stress on the shank and maintain perfectly square channel sidewalls.