Carbide Insert Grades

Understanding manufacturers’ grading systems helps you select the right carbide tools for your business

Hemly Tool carries carbide inserts, carbide end mills and various other precision tools from more than 80 reputable manufacturers. Not only can it be challenging to select a tool that meets your general needs, but it’s also difficult to understand which specific models will become crucial pieces of your arsenal – and which are not even worth purchasing.

Each manufacturer designs their carbide inserts for specific operations. Inserts are designed to cut a specific material (steel, stainless steel, high-temp alloys, etc.) and to be used for specific operations (finishing, roughing, etc). You may have noticed these grades on the packages, and sometimes on the inserts themselves, but without much background information, these numbers don’t mean anything to a CNC operator.

If you have access to a document that explains the manufacturer’s own grading system, ordering or re-ordering the correct part becomes a lot easier. Browse some of our collection of manufacturer grade guides below:

Since 1980, Hemly Tool has provided carbide tools from the brands customers trust, and in the manufacturer grades customers need. If you need more assistance, contact our team online or by phone at (800)445-1068.