Keep packaging intact
Do not dump new inserts out of their boxes. Manufacturer, grade, geometry, coating and exact part number help determine whether a resale market may exist.
CARBIDE INSERT BUYER
Sell Carbide Inserts Before They Get Mixed Into Scrap.
New, boxed and identifiable inserts may be worth more than scrap. Keep branded or packaged carbide separate and send clear photos before recycling it by weight.
What we buy
- Kennametal carbide inserts
- Sandvik carbide inserts
- Seco carbide inserts
- Iscar carbide inserts
- Walter carbide inserts
- Mixed worn carbide inserts
Who we work with
CNC shops, distributors, tool rooms, manufacturers and facilities liquidating tooling inventory.
What to send
Send clear photos, manufacturer or nameplate information when available, approximate quantity, city/state, condition and desired removal timing.
INSERT VALUE REVIEW
Loose scrap and boxed inserts should not be treated the same
Ironcrest buys used and broken carbide inserts by material value while also reviewing new, boxed or identifiable inventory for possible resale value. Small personal collections and commercial shop quantities are welcome.
Separate obvious contaminants
Keep steel toolholders, screws, ceramic inserts and general shop scrap out of the carbide container. Mixed carbide brands can remain together for initial photo review.
Send a useful overview
Photograph the full drawer, shelf, bucket or tote, then add close-ups of representative inserts and labels. Include approximate weight or box count and location.
Outside the Midwest or selling a few pounds? Request mail-in instructions →
INSERT TYPES WE REVIEW
Know your insert designations before you sell carbide inserts.
Carbide inserts use a standardized letter code that describes their shape, clearance angle, tolerance, and features. You do not need to memorize the system, but recognizing common designations helps you describe your material accurately when you sell carbide inserts to Ironcrest.
Turning inserts (negative rake)
These are the workhorses of CNC turning. Common designations include CNMG (80-degree diamond), DNMG (55-degree diamond), SNMG (square), TNMG (triangle), and WNMG (trigon). The "N" indicates zero clearance angle, meaning the insert can be flipped for additional cutting edges. When you sell carbide inserts of these types, note the full designation including size and grade, for example CNMG-432 or DNMG-150608.
Negative-rake turning inserts are used in heavy turning, facing, and boring operations. They are among the most common inserts in machine shops, which means they appear frequently in shop cleanouts and tool room liquidations.
Turning inserts (positive rake)
Positive-rake inserts have a built-in clearance angle and are typically single-sided. Common types include CCMT, DCMT, SCMT, and TCMT. These are popular for finishing operations, lighter cuts, and machining on less rigid setups.
Milling inserts come in a wider variety of shapes designed for specific cutter bodies. Common designations include APKT, SEKT, and RDKT, though milling inserts are often best identified by the cutter they fit. If you are selling milling inserts, photographing the original packaging with part numbers is especially helpful.
Grooving, parting, and threading inserts are smaller-volume items but can carry good value when new and identifiable. Keep these in their original packaging whenever possible.
The grade designation matters too. Carbide grades are formulated for specific materials: steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, titanium, and high-temperature alloys. The grade code is usually printed on the insert box alongside the geometry designation. When you sell carbide inserts with visible grade markings, include that information in your photos.
WHAT DRIVES VALUE
Not all carbide inserts are worth the same.
Understanding what separates high-value inserts from ordinary scrap helps you prepare your material for the best possible review.
New and boxed
Unused inserts in original manufacturer packaging with readable part numbers and grade designations may have resale value beyond their tungsten content. Full boxes are ideal, but even partial boxes of identifiable inserts deserve a careful look before they go into a scrap bucket.
Recognizable brands
Kennametal, Sandvik Coromant, Seco, Iscar, Walter, Mitsubishi, Kyocera, and Tungaloy are widely traded brands. Inserts from major manufacturers are easier to identify and evaluate than unmarked or generic inserts.
Coatings and grades
Modern coated inserts (TiN, TiAlN, AlTiN, and multilayer coatings) reflect current manufacturing technology. The coating type, usually indicated on the packaging, helps determine whether a resale market exists for the specific grade.
Worn, chipped, or broken inserts still have tungsten recovery value. Even inserts that are no longer usable for cutting contain tungsten carbide that can be recycled. The key distinction is simple: identifiable, unused inserts get a resale review; worn or unidentifiable inserts are evaluated for material recovery value. Both are worth sending photos of.
PREPARE YOUR MATERIAL
Sorting and packaging guidance for carbide insert sellers.
How to sort
You do not need a perfect sort, but a little organization goes a long way:
- Separate new from used. Keep boxed or unused inserts apart from worn, chipped, or broken pieces.
- Keep brands together when easy. If inserts are already in labeled drawers or bins, leave them that way for photos.
- Remove non-carbide material. Pull out steel toolholders, set screws, ceramic inserts, cermet, and high-speed steel. These contaminate carbide lots.
- Do not mix with general scrap. A bucket of mixed shop scrap with a few inserts buried in it is harder to evaluate than a dedicated carbide container.
How to package
Carbide is dense and heavy. A small box of inserts can weigh more than you expect.
- For mail-in: Use a sturdy small box, not a padded envelope. Wrap loose inserts in paper or bubble wrap so they do not shift. Tape the box securely.
- Keep boxes intact. If inserts are in manufacturer boxes, do not dump them out. Ship or present them as-is.
- For local pickup: Buckets, totes, or bins are fine. Keep new and used material in separate containers.
- Label clearly. Mark the approximate weight and contents on the outside.
See our mail-in carbide instructions for the full shipping process.
WHO WE BUY FROM
Sell carbide inserts from any of these sources.
CNC machine shops
Job shops and production shops generate worn inserts daily and often accumulate surplus new tooling. Ask about our commercial carbide accounts for recurring collection.
Distributors and resellers
Overstock, discontinued lines, and customer returns can leave distributors holding insert inventory. We review new-old-stock for resale potential.
Plant closures and auctions
Tool cribs and tool rooms in closing facilities often contain years of accumulated inserts. Send photos of the full inventory before it is dispersed.
Individuals with inherited machinist tooling or small collections are welcome too. A single drawer of inserts is worth a photo review. Learn more about selling carbide in all forms, including end mills and drills and unused tooling.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Carbide insert questions, answered.
What types of carbide inserts do you buy?
We review turning inserts (CNMG, DNMG, SNMG, TNMG, WNMG, CCMT, DCMT and similar), milling inserts, grooving and threading inserts, and mixed lots. New, used, worn, chipped, and broken inserts are all worth a photo review. New or boxed inserts may qualify for resale evaluation; worn inserts are assessed for tungsten recovery value.
Are worn or broken inserts worth anything?
Yes. Worn, chipped, and broken carbide inserts still contain tungsten carbide with recovery value. Do not throw them away. Keep them separate from steel and general shop scrap, and send photos with an approximate weight for review.
How should I package inserts for mail-in shipment?
Use a sturdy small box rather than a padded envelope, since carbide is heavy and can tear through light packaging. Wrap loose inserts so they do not shift, keep manufacturer boxes intact, tape securely, and label the approximate weight. Request mail-in instructions before shipping so we can confirm the destination and your contact details.
Do you buy mixed lots of different insert brands?
Yes. Mixed brands can stay together for the initial photo review. What matters most is separating new or identifiable inserts from worn scrap, and keeping non-carbide material (steel holders, ceramic inserts, high-speed steel) out of the lot.
How do I know if my inserts are worth more than scrap?
New, unused inserts in original packaging with readable part numbers and grade designations are the strongest candidates for resale value. If your inserts are boxed, labeled, or otherwise identifiable, keep them that way and send clear photos of the labels. We will tell you whether a resale review or a material-value assessment is the right path. Send photos for today’s price.
WHY SEND PHOTOS FIRST
Identification protects value.
Industrial equipment can be worth more intact than as scrap. Clear photos and nameplates help determine whether resale, component recovery or commodity recovery is the best path.
HOW SELLING WORKS
Three steps to an offer.
Send photos
Photograph the material, nameplates and quantity, then send them through the quote form, by email or by phone.
Material review
We review what the material is, its condition and quantity, and whether it fits a direct purchase.
Receive an offer
For qualifying material, we discuss a direct purchase offer and the next steps.