See Our Lowest Price Guarantee
1 9
SKU: 50-001

Infinity Tools 1/4" Shank Keyhole & Picture Hanging Bits

$16.90
Large Diameter
Small Diameter

Buy 3 or More Router Bits, Receive 10% Off Each.
Discount automatically applies in cart.

The Best Solution for Hanging Items on the Wall!

Using our Keyhole router bits is the best way to secure any wall hanging object by nail or screw. The advantage to this mounting method is that the picture, plaque or other object being hung will sit snug to your wall and be perfectly level.

Our keyhole router bits allow you to eliminate inconvenient and unsightly wires and hooks by first cutting a 3/8" or ½" entry hole. As the bit moves forward it then cuts a T-shaped slot with a shoulder to securely grab common screw or nail heads.

NOTE: We recommend drilling a pilot hole at the start of the slot sized slightly less in diameter than the large diameter of the keyhole router bit.

Click here for our T-Slot, Channel & Hinge Router Bits.


T-Slot Router Bits

Keyhole & Picture Hanging Router Bits

Making custom fixtures or wall display units with these premium quality T-Slot router bits (available in three sizes to match your fixtures) has never been easier.

Using our Keyhole router bits (two cutting sizes available) is the best way to secure any wall hanging object by nail or screw. The advantage to this mounting method is that the picture, plaque or other object being hung will sit snug to your wall and be perfectly level.


Infinity keyhole and T-slot router bits displayed with sample keyhole slots and T-slots cut in wood

T-slot and keyhole router bits are extremely useful for all types of projects, jigs, and fixtures. They can be used to create keyhole slots for hanging pictures and plaques. You can also make custom T-tracks in shop-made jigs and fixtures. The larger T-slot bits can be used to make custom slatwall boards for shop use or custom displays that you would see in stores. Because these bits are almost always trapped in the workpiece during routing, there are a few tricks to getting the best results and life expectancy out of these router bits. Let me share a few of these tips and tricks.

Making a keyhole slot requires that the router bit be plunged into the work and then moved a short distance before being backed out and removed. It's always a good idea to start by drilling a pilot hole for the keyhole router bit. I like to use a drill bit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the largest diameter of the router bit. This allows the router bit to cut a nice clean entry hole plus, it makes it much easier to plunge the router bit straight in.

Infinity 50-504 keyhole router bit beside a drilled pilot hole on marked layout lines

Most router bits are designed to cut horizontally but struggle with plunging straight down. Drilling a pilot hole first is recommended when using T-slot, keyhole and many straight router bits.

When cutting a keyhole, I like to mark my workpiece on three sides with a start line and an end line. Then I can use the fence on my router table as a reference so that I know how far I've cut the slot.

Setting the router table fence by referencing one edge of the keyhole bit with a small square

I find it easier to reference off of one edge of the router bit when setting up my fence then I do finding the center of the bit. I take this into account when marking my workpiece.

Start and end lines marked on a workpiece lined up with the router table fence and bit

Because most of the sawdust will remain trapped in the T-shaped groove, you will usually need to make the cut and then feed the workpiece backward in order to be able to lift the workpiece off of the bit. This "backrouting" is usually not recommended at the router table so take your time and be sure the workpiece is secure. Also keep a close eye on your start line so that you don't travel too far, lengthening the slot in the wrong direction.

Completed keyhole slot routed between start and end lines on a board at the router table

Unlike keyhole router bits, T-slot router bits are generally used to cut all the way from one end of a workpiece to the other. Because these bits are removing a lot of material at a time with very little space for the waste to go, these bits are susceptible to heat buildup. With any T-slot router bit it's recommended to first use a straight router bit to create a groove.

Close-up of T-shaped slots routed into a hardwood board

This is especially true when using these bits on a CNC machine. A CNC router doesn't have the ability to "feel" the resistance in the material that can cause a T-slot bit to overheat and break. An initial pass with a straight bit slightly smaller in diameter and 1/16" or so shy of the final depth removes a significant amount of waste while reducing the risk of burning up or breaking the T-slot router bit.

Hardwood strip with a routed T-slot holding a pegboard hook as a shop-made tool rack

Finally if you're using any of these router bits in your router table, I recommend using featherboards or a set of JessEm Clear-Cut Router Stock Guides to keep the workpiece tight against the fence and table during the cut. This reduces stress on the bit which can cause poor-quality cuts. Because these bits are trapped on all sides it's important to eliminate as much vibration as possible. If you take your time and set up each pass properly your T-slot and keyhole router bits will last much longer and produce superior results.


How to Use a Keyhole Router Bit: Step by Step

  1. Choose the bit size. Our keyhole bits come in 3/8" and 1/2" cutting diameters (with 3/16" and 1/4" slots). Pick a size whose large hole fits your screw or nail head and whose narrow slot fits the shank.
  2. Mark the slot. Mark a start line and an end line on the workpiece, and carry the marks around to the edges so you can see them while the work is on the router table.
  3. Drill a pilot hole at the start mark, slightly smaller than the bit's cutting diameter and a little shallower than the slot depth. This keeps the bit from burning or stalling as it plunges.
  4. Set the depth. Set the bit so the head of the screw will sit fully inside the wider slot, typically about 3/8" deep for most picture-hanging screws. Test on scrap.
  5. Set stops. On a router table, clamp stop blocks to the fence at your start and end lines so every slot is the same length.
  6. Plunge, slide, then stop. Lower the workpiece onto the spinning bit over the pilot hole, slide it to the end stop, then slide it back to the starting hole.
  7. Remove the work only at the entry hole. Lifting the workpiece anywhere else will catch the bit's undercut and can ruin the slot or damage the bit.

Using a Keyhole Bit with a Handheld Router

For large panels, use a plunge router with an edge guide or a straightedge. Clamp a stop block at each end of the slot, plunge at the pilot hole, slide to the stop, return to the starting hole, and let the bit stop before lifting the router.

T-Slot vs. Keyhole Router Bits

Bit What it cuts Common uses
Keyhole bit A short, undercut slot with an entry hole Hanging pictures, plaques, shelves and cabinets flush to the wall
T-slot bit A long T-shaped channel that captures bolt heads Jigs, fixtures, slat walls and adjustable stops

Keyhole Bit Tips

  • Clear chips often. Sawdust packs into the undercut and can make the bit overheat.
  • Run the router at a moderate speed and feed slowly; the bit is doing a lot of cutting in a confined space.
  • Use two keyhole slots at the same height to hang wide pieces level, and measure the screw spacing from the slot ends.
  • Leave enough material behind the slot. In thin stock, choose the smaller bit or a shallower depth.

Keyhole Router Bit FAQ

Can you use a keyhole router bit in a handheld router?

Yes. A plunge router with stop blocks works well for large panels; a router table is easier for small parts.

Do I need to drill a pilot hole for a keyhole bit?

It's strongly recommended. Keyhole bits aren't designed for heavy plunge cutting, and a pilot hole gives a cleaner entry with less heat.

How deep should a keyhole slot be?

Deep enough for the screw head to sit fully in the wide part of the slot, with enough wood left behind it for strength. Test the fit on scrap before cutting your project.

Shop all router bits.

The Infinity Cutting Tools Difference

Black geometric logo with stylized letters in a square shape on a white background

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this keyhole bit fit my router?

Yes, as long as your router accepts a 1/4" collet, which nearly all compact and full-size routers do. The bit has a 1/4" shank and a 7/16" cutter height. Browse more carbide router bits.

What is a keyhole router bit used for?

It cuts a hidden T-shaped slot on the back of pictures, plaques, and signs so they can be hung securely by a nail or screw and sit flush and perfectly level against the wall.

How does the keyhole slot hold a screw head?

The bit cuts a 3/8" or 1/2" entry hole and then a T-shaped slot with a shoulder. The wide entry slips over the screw head, then sliding the object down locks the shoulder under the head.

What is the cutter height and overall length?

The bit has a 7/16" cutter height and a 1-3/4" overall length, sized for cutting shallow hanging slots in the back of your workpiece.

Do I need to drill a pilot hole first?

It is recommended. Drill a pilot hole at the start of the slot sized slightly smaller than the large diameter of the keyhole bit to give the cutter a clean place to begin.

Can I use this bit in a router table?

Yes. A router table gives you better control and a stable surface for routing consistent keyhole slots in your workpieces.

What kinds of objects can I hang with a keyhole slot?

Pictures, plaques, signs, clocks, and other wall-mounted objects can all be hung with a keyhole slot so they sit snug and level without visible wires or hooks.

Why use a keyhole slot instead of a wire and hook?

A keyhole slot eliminates inconvenient and unsightly wires and hooks, letting the object sit tight against the wall and stay perfectly level.

Who makes this router bit?

It is made by Infinity Cutting Tools. Pair it with other router bit sets to expand your shop.

Is this bit considered a specialty router bit?

Yes. The keyhole profile is a dedicated, single-purpose cutter. Explore the full range of specialty router bits for other unique profiles.

SERVING WOODWORKING ENTHUSIASTS FOR OVER 23 YEARS!

Request a Catalog