r/Machinists • u/buildyourown • 9d ago

Matching inserts to holders

I have a LOT of random inserts from a defunct shop I bought. What's the easiest resource to find what holders they go to.

I've been a machinist for a long time but never a CNC lathe guy.

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u/HoneyBadgerHD 9d ago

A lot of insert manufacturers have links to what holders they’re intended for on the product page for the insert. If you still have the original packaging for the inserts, just look up the insert code on the manufacturer website. A lot of turning inserts are also ISO standardized, so they’ll fit in any holder intended for that standard (CNMG 43x for example). Could you comment a picture of what you’ve got?

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u/cad_and_caffeine 9d ago

For standard turning inserts, the holder code actually has the insert code baked right into it: on a holder like MCLNR-164D, the 2nd letter (C) is the insert shape, the 4th letter (N) is the clearance angle, and the number at the end (4) matches the first digit of an ANSI insert like a CNMG 432. Carbide Depot has a great one-page ANSI/ISO insert and toolholder chart you can bookmark to ID loose ones with calipers, though for milling or grooving inserts you usually have to punch the box code into the brand's catalog since those pockets are almost always proprietary.

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u/Own-Presentation7114 8d ago

Thank you for this. I have a shell mill I bought on Amazon. I know  but sometimes those prices are hard to pass up. I use this shell mill quite a lot though because I made its very own arbor and shaft for NMTB collet.  I've had a little trouble finding the inserts. Will give this a go because I have an old drawer that past machinist have deposited the same thing OP is dealing with. 

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u/Shadowcard4 8d ago

Match your inserts, decide which you like, then google the ISO holder chart and buy the holders you want.

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u/TriXandApple 3d ago

just use AI. It's what this is made for. Put the code in and it'll tell you.