A few pounds are welcome
You do not need a full drum to contact Ironcrest. Send photos of inserts, end mills, drills, rods, dies, wear parts or old machinist tooling with an approximate weight.
CHICAGO CARBIDE BUYER
Sell Carbide Scrap in the Chicago Area.
Machine shops, tool rooms and manufacturers can send Ironcrest photos of carbide inserts, end mills, drills, dies and other tungsten-carbide material for evaluation.
What we buy
- Solid carbide end mills and drills
- Indexable carbide inserts
- Carbide dies, punches and wear parts
- Broken or worn carbide tooling
- Unused or surplus carbide
- Recurring machine-shop carbide generation
Who we work with
Machine shops, CNC facilities, tool-and-die shops, manufacturers and industrial maintenance departments.
What to send
Send clear photos, manufacturer or nameplate information when available, approximate quantity, city/state, condition and desired removal timing.
LOCAL CARBIDE PURCHASING
Carbide from Chicagoland shops, estates and personal collections
Ironcrest reviews carbide in the Chicago area from active machine shops, retired machinists, estates, former shop owners and individuals who have accumulated tooling over many years.
Protect usable tooling
Keep boxed, labeled and apparently unused tooling separate from broken scrap. Photos of manufacturer names and part numbers help determine the best evaluation path.
Local pickup or mail-in
Include your suburb, quantity and preferred timing. Depending on the material and economics, Ironcrest can discuss local coordination or provide shipping instructions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Chicago carbide questions, answered.
What carbide materials do you buy?
We evaluate used carbide inserts, end mills, drills, burrs, tooling, wear parts, and clean carbide scrap. We also review unused or new-old-stock tooling that may have resale value. Keep carbide separated from high-speed steel and other metals when possible.
How can I tell whether a tool is carbide?
Manufacturer markings, part numbers, density, and the tool’s original use can help identify it. Do not rely on color alone. Send close photos of markings and the full tool, and note whether the material came from a CNC or machine-shop operation.
Do you buy mixed or broken carbide?
Yes, depending on composition and contamination. Broken inserts, worn cutting tools, and mixed carbide may still be valuable. Remove loose steel, packaging, coolant, and general shop debris before photographing or weighing the lot.
Can machine shops set up recurring carbide pickups?
Yes. Shops with steady insert and tooling volume can ask about recurring collection or a commercial account. Share the typical monthly quantity, container type, pickup location, and current sorting process so we can assess a workable program.
Can I mail carbide to Ironcrest?
Mail-in review may be available for smaller, properly packaged lots. Contact us before shipping. Send photos and estimated weight first, then wait for packing, labeling, and destination instructions. Do not ship a lot without confirmation.
Send photos, estimated weight, tool type, markings, and location for today’s price. Email sjohns@ironcrestindustrialsurplus.com or call 312-880-8174.
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.