Freud Mortising Router Bit 16-502 5/8 Inch Top Bearing (1/4 Inch Shank Down Shear TiCo Carbide Perma-SHIELD 24000 RPM Template Hinges Dadoes)

Freud 16-502 5/8 Inch Top Bearing Down Shear Mortising Router Bit

The Freud 16-502 is a 5/8-inch overall cutting diameter shank-mounted top bearing mortising router bit engineered for precise template-guided hinge mortising, hardware pocketing, and dado jointing. Built with a 1/4-inch shank and a 3/4-inch carbide height, this 2-cutter tool utilizes down-shear tip geometry to press wood fibers downward during routing to prevent top-surface tearout. Tipped with TiCo™ Hi-Density Micrograin Carbide and sealed with a non-stick red Perma-SHIELD® coating, it operates reliably at rotational speeds up to 24,000 RPM across handheld routers, router tables, or CNC machinery in solid hardwoods, softwoods, plywood, and veneers.

Best Used For:

• Template-Guided Hinge & Hardware Mortising: Routing identical hinge recesses and locksets using top-mounted pilot bearings against surface jigs.
• Clean-Edge Dado & Groove Milling: Machining flat-bottomed dado channels and cabinet shelving grooves without splintering delicate face veneers.
• Shallow Pattern & Pocket Routing: Cutting intricate interior cutouts and flush hardware pockets using custom wooden or acrylic templates.

Key Performance & Safety Features

• Shank-Mounted Precision Top Bearing: Smooth-running ball bearing rides directly against template guides for exact, repeatable mortise shapes.
• Down-Shear Cutter Geometry: Angled carbide tips force surface wood fibers down to guarantee clean, splinter-free top edges.
• TiCo™ Hi-Density Micrograin Carbide: High-density carbide tips maintain extreme edge sharpness and resist abrasive wear across dense composite woods.
• Perma-SHIELD® Non-Stick Coating: Protective fluoropolymer coating reduces operating friction, pitch accumulation, and rust corrosion.
• Deep Waste-Clearance Center Gullets: Milled center gullet design ejects wood chips quickly to prevent clogging, heat buildup, and scorching.
• 24,000 RPM High-Speed Rating: Computer-balanced cutter body provides smooth, chatter-free passes at elevated spindle speeds.

What's Included

• (1) Freud 16-502 5/8" Top Bearing Down Shear Mortising Router Bit with 1/4" Shank

Technical Specifications

Pro-Tip: Before starting your cut, ensure the top pilot bearing is clean and spins freely; a sticking pilot bearing can friction-burn template walls and introduce inaccuracy into your template mortising passes.