Pair these carbide inserts with a holder to create end mills that reduce waste and cost in high-volume jobs. When all the cutting edges dull, replace the inserts instead of the entire tool.

Choose inserts with a smaller tip radius to reduce vibration and create smaller chips, so chip evacuation is easier. Choose inserts with a larger tip radius for more aggressive machining—they have a stronger cutting edge, so they remove more material with each pass.

Coated inserts are best for demanding, high-speed jobs and hard materials. They’re harder and more wear resistant than uncoated carbide inserts.

Negative-rake inserts have cutting edges on both sides, so they last longer than positive-rake inserts. When all the edges on one side are dull, flip the insert over.

Inserts sold individually come packed in a clear plastic case to protect cutting edges during shipment. Inserts sold in packs come factory sealed from the manufacturer for maximum traceability.

With larger diameters than end mills, these cutters remove greater amounts of material to create a smooth, flat channel in the face of a plate, bar, or other wide workpiece. Compared to fly cutters, they’re more rigid, which makes for a better finish. Also known as shell cutters. Cutters with fewer teeth provide better chip clearance for high-volume, high-speed cuts. Those with more teeth provide a finer finish and generate less vibration at high speeds.

High-speed steel cutters are good for general purpose milling in most materials including aluminum brass, bronze, and steel. Cobalt steel cutters have better heat and wear resistance than high-speed steel. They can run at higher speeds and provide better performance on hard material such as iron, stainless steel, titanium, and tool steel.

Use uncoated cutters for general purpose milling and short production runs. They stay sharper than coated cutters when used on soft materials like aluminum. Use coated cutters for demanding, high-speed jobs in hard material as well as for longer production runs. The coating reduces friction and vibration as they’re used, making them more wear resistant than uncoated cutters.

Titanium-nitride (TiN) coated cutters create less friction than uncoated cutters, which means they last longer when run at similar speeds. Aluminum-titanium-nitride (AlTiN) coated cutters dissipate heat better than other cutters, especially at high speeds. At high temperatures, the coating creates a layer of aluminum oxide that transfers heat to the chips, keeping the tool cool, even when used without lubrication.

Create your own versatile milling cutters. These kits include a cutter body, inserts, wrenches, and screws. Also known as indexable end mills, replaceable insert milling cutters remove metal at least two times faster than comparable high-speed steel milling cutters. When the cutting edges dull, replace the carbide inserts instead of the entire tool. The inserts come factory sealed from the manufacturer for maximum traceability.

Use with an R8 shank arbor (sold separately).

Titanium-diboride (TiB2) coated inserts reduce friction in nonferrous metals and composites, so you can use them without lubrication in material like aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic. Titanium-aluminum-nitride (TiAlN) coated inserts dissipate heat better than other inserts, especially at high speeds. At high temperatures, the coating creates a layer of aluminum oxide that transfers heat to the chips, keeping the inserts cool, even when used without lubrication.

Kits come with either octagon or square inserts. Use octagon inserts for general face milling. With eight cutting edges, they generate smooth cuts. Use square inserts to create a 90° corner when shoulder milling.

These general purpose saws are good for cutoff, slitting, and slotting applications in a wide range of materials, including aluminum, iron, and steel. Use with an arbor (sold separately).

Saws with 1 1/4"-2 1/2" and 3"-8" mill dia. are also known as plain metal slitting saws.

Made of solid carbide, these saws are harder, stronger, and more wear resistant than high-speed steel for the longest life and best finish on hard material. Use them for cutoff, slitting, and slotting applications. Use with an arbor (sold separately).

Also known as jeweler's slotting saws and metal slitting saws, these saws are good for use on wire, tubing, extrusions, and other very thin material that requires delicate cuts. Use with an arbor (sold separately).

With peripheral and side teeth, these saws remove chips for a consistent cutting width. Use with an arbor (sold separately).

Designed for milling the surfaces of plates and bars, these cutters consist of multiple carbide inserts and a holder. They help you reduce waste and cost in high-volume jobs—when the cutting edges dull, replace the inserts instead of the entire tool. The inserts are locked in place with a screw for a hold that’s strong enough to handle the high speeds of a CNC machine. These cutters have a large mill diameter for making wide, shallow cuts on the face or side of your workpiece. They also have a hole that passes coolant from your machine onto the workpiece, minimizing heat.

When choosing a holder, consider the type of finish you want. The finer the finish, the more inserts you’ll need. More inserts mean tighter spacing, so you can machine at high speeds and remove material quickly while leaving a smooth surface. However, you’ll also need more machine power. Fewer inserts mean a coarser finish—the inserts are spaced apart to help with chip evacuation. A coarse finish is best for roughing applications, light machining, and cutting soft metals such as aluminum.

Inserts (sold separately) have a negative rake, which means they have cutting edges on both sides. They last longer than comparable positive-rake inserts. As each edge dulls, you can rotate to a fresh one. When all the edges on one side are worn, flip the insert over. Built-in chip breakers prevent long chips from forming, so they won’t block the flow of coolant or damage your tool. Inserts sold individually come packed in a clear plastic case to protect cutting edges during shipment. Inserts sold in packs come factory sealed from the manufacturer for maximum traceability.