Turning insert and VBD purchasing
Turning inserts are among the most common forms of cemented-carbide scrap from CNC machining. We purchase individual indexable cutting inserts – VBD, carbide inserts and inserts – used for turning, grooving, parting, threading and other machining operations.
What you can offer us as turning inserts
Turning inserts = VBD / carbide inserts / cutting inserts
In practice, several names are used for the same material group. If you have individual small carbide inserts clamped into a holder, they belong here.
What belongs among carbide and cutting inserts
SK, TK, cemented carbide, sintered carbide and hardmetal are commercial terms used in engineering for tools based on tungsten carbide with a metallic binder. In machining, these are typically indexable cutting inserts used for turning, milling, drilling and other operations.
We mainly purchase
- used and new carbide/VBD inserts
- mixtures of different geometries, coatings and manufacturers
- broken and worn inserts
- unused stock and older types
- other clean carbide hard scrap
- turning inserts for external and internal turning
- milling inserts and VBD for milling heads
- inserts for drilling, boring, grooving, parting and threading
- used, new, reground, broken and obsolete stock
Coating is usually not a problem
Modern cutting inserts can have different coatings. For basic classification of carbide scrap, the substrate material of the insert is most important. We therefore commonly assess mixed brands and coatings as carbide stock unless they belong to another material group.
Watch out for ceramics, CBN, PCD and cermet
Not all cutting inserts are conventional WC/Co cemented carbide. Ceramic, CBN, PCD and cermet inserts must be assessed separately. If you are unsure, do not discard them in advance – simply describe the material and we will classify it correctly.
| Typical input | VBD, carbide inserts, solid pieces, inventory stock |
|---|---|
| Condition | Used, worn, broken and new |
| Sorting | Mixed carbide grades are common; other materials should be separated |
| Commercial model | One-off purchasing and regular collection |
Where carbide inserts most commonly arise
The largest regular flows arise in CNC turning shops, milling shops, toolrooms and production facilities with high consumption of indexable inserts. In addition to normally worn pieces, purchasing also includes entire obsolete inventories after changes in technology, tool standards or suppliers.
For further processing, clean carbide inserts should be kept separate from steel screws, holders and other metals. There is no need, however, to separate every coating or brand if the material is conventional cemented carbide.
How to prepare an offer
Smaller stock: approximate weight and information whether the stock is mainly VBD/carbide inserts is enough.
Corporate waste: state whether it is generated regularly and the approximate volume.
Mixture: if the inserts include ceramic or other non-carbide cutting materials, tell us in advance.
A mixture of carbide inserts and small parts can be handled as a separate fraction
Industrial stores often accumulate mixtures of different VBD inserts, shapes, coatings and brands. If the material is cemented carbide, it is not necessary to separate each insert by manufacturer. What matters is separating non-carbide materials – especially ceramics, cermet, PCD/CBN and ordinary steel.
Typical mixture contents
turning and milling VBD inserts
drilling inserts and replaceable tips
profiling and grooving inserts
small sintered carbide parts
Other purchasing and processing options
Frequently asked questions
Do you also purchase coated carbide inserts?
Yes, if the substrate is cemented carbide. The coating itself usually does not prevent purchasing.
Do I have to sort inserts by manufacturer?
Usually not. It is more important to separate true cemented carbide from ceramics, PCD, CBN, cermet and ordinary steel.
Do you accept broken inserts?
Yes. Normal wear or breakage does not matter for carbide hard scrap.
Quick guide to our purchasing categories
Do you have this material for sale?
For a specific offer, we need the material type, approximate quantity and location. For larger stocks, we also arrange logistics.