A high-resolution studio photograph of the Freud 16-522 mortising router bit, featuring a bright red head with sharp carbide cutting edges, a large silver ball bearing mounted on the shank, and a polished 1/2-inch steel shank.
A technical diagram illustrating the cutting profile of the Freud 16-522 bit, showing a cross-section of wood with a 1-1/4 inch wide by 15/64 inch deep mortise being cut alongside a grey template guide.
A three-part technical illustration showing the process of using the Freud top-bearing mortising bit to rout a precise, shallow recess in wood for the flush installation of a metal door hinge.
A high-resolution studio photograph of the Freud 16-522 mortising router bit, featuring a bright red head with sharp carbide cutting edges, a large silver ball bearing mounted on the shank, and a polished 1/2-inch steel shank.
A technical diagram illustrating the cutting profile of the Freud 16-522 bit, showing a cross-section of wood with a 1-1/4 inch wide by 15/64 inch deep mortise being cut alongside a grey template guide.
A three-part technical illustration showing the process of using the Freud top-bearing mortising bit to rout a precise, shallow recess in wood for the flush installation of a metal door hinge.
Freud

Freud Mortising Router Bit 16-522 1-1/4 Inch Top Bearing (1/2 Inch Shank Down Shear TiCo Carbide Perma-SHIELD 18000 RPM Template Hinges Dadoes)

Only 1 left
SKU: 16-522
$27.99 USD

Description

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Freud 16-522 1-1/4 Inch Top Bearing Down Shear Mortising Router Bit

The Freud 16-522 is a 1-1/4-inch overall cutting diameter shank-mounted top bearing mortising router bit engineered for precise template-guided hinge mortising, hardware pocketing, and shallow dado jointing. Built with a heavy-duty 1/2-inch shank and a 15/64-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 18,000 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.
  • Heavy-Duty 1/2-Inch Shank: Rigid 1/2-inch steel shank diameter minimizes tool flex, runout, and cutter vibration during high-speed routing.
  • 18,000 RPM Maximum Speed Limit: Precision-balanced body design enables stable, chatter-free rotation under demanding feed rates.

What's Included

  • (1) Freud 16-522 1-1/4" Top Bearing Down Shear Mortising Router Bit with 1/2" Shank

Technical Specifications

Brand Manufacturer Freud® Tools
Model Part Number OEM SKU 16-522
Overall Cutting Diameter (D) 1.250 inches (1-1/4" / 31.8 mm)
Shank Diameter (A) 0.500 inches (1/2" / 12.7 mm)
Carbide Cutting Height (h) 0.234 inches (15/64" / 6.0 mm)
Overall Tool Length (H) 2.000 inches (2" / 50.8 mm)
Pilot Bearing Location Top Bearing / Shank-Mounted Pilot Bearing
Cutter Flute Angle Geometry Down-Shear Cutting Style
Number of Carbide Cutters 2 Flute Carbide Cutters
Maximum Operating Speed 18,000 RPM
Body Protective Coating Red Perma-SHIELD® Non-Stick Fluoropolymer
Cutter Metallurgy Material TiCo™ Hi-Density Micrograin Carbide Tipped
Primary Machine Compatibility Handheld Routers, Router Tables, CNC Routers

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.