60° Carbide Tool

Carbide tools feature a small insert of extremely hard carbide brazed onto a softer steel shank. They are ideal for machining hard or abrasive materials, as they retain their hardness at temperatures up to approximately 1700°F. This allows for higher cutting speeds and faster feed rates compared to high-speed steel (HSS) tools.

Sharpening carbide tools is more challenging, requiring a silicon carbide or diamond grinding wheel. Additionally, the tool geometry is more critical than with HSS cutters. However, their superior performance on tough or abrasive materials makes them a popular choice. If your HSS tools are wearing out quickly, switching to carbide may be the solution.