Inserts type for old milling cutter

This topic has 8 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 1 November 2026 at 16:38 by old mart.

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31 October 2026 at 22:34 #872232
Sonic Escape
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@sonicescape38234
I found an insert milling cutter at the local flea market. It is unused. The MT3 is covered in a soft protective gum. But I can’t figure out what types of inserts would fit. I suspect that the cutter is a few decades old. The grease was turned solid and I had to clean it with white spirit. The only markings on it are Geneve EZI and Diaroc.

I think the 4 inserts should be square with no hole. Size could be arround 12x12mm and ~3mm thick. What could be the two tapered half rings? If I tighten their two screws they will push outside a little two of the inserts. But what is the purpose of this? In this way is not more difficult to make sure all 4 inserts are at the same height? It looks like an useless complication
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1 November 2026 at 07:28 #872242
Andrew Crow
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@andrewcrow91475
Being able to make two of the inserts protrude further was possibly to do a roughing and finishing cut in one pass.

Andy.
1 November 2026 at 07:45 #872245
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
The way the pockets have been cut with a fairly large diameter cutter only provides radial location for the inserts. Adding the split collar will provide axial location so they all cut at the same depth.

The tapered side to the lower edge of the ring will be angled to match the tilt of the inserts which are not set at right angles otherwise the whole bottom edge would rub.
1 November 2026 at 11:39 #872269
old mart
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@oldmart
You might be able to use a search engine to find the part numbers, the inserts are probably proprietary. Ebay might be a source if you are lucky.
1 November 2026 at 12:03 #872277
Sonic Escape
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@sonicescape38234
I had a long chat with AI and most likely the tool indeed is using proprietary inserts that are no longer manufactured. The closest I could find are these CBN inserts:

But I think I need a positive rake angle, otherwise the insert will not cut

But is there anything special about this tool to worth the effort of finding a suitable insert? Or an cheap Aliexpress face mill will do work in the same way?
1 November 2026 at 12:22 #872286
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Try searching for the code on these ones, they have 11degree rake so may be enough to suit your holder.

https://www.shop-apt.co.uk/carbide-inserts-for-turning-carbon-alloy-steel-general-use/spmr-120308-1135-carbide-inserts-for-turning-cvd-coated-for-general-use-apt.html
1 November 2026 at 12:32 #872289
Neil A
Participant
@neila
I think these inserts may be a closer match for milling, they have a 20 degree side clearance.

https://www.shop-apt.co.uk/carbide-inserts-for-milling-uni-tip/sekn-1203-aftn-um25-carbide-inserts-for-milling-pvd-coated-for-general-use-apt.html

There does not seem to be very much choice.

Neil
1 November 2026 at 12:51 #872292
mgnbuk
Participant
@mgnbuk
Former employment had a lot of cutters bought from auctions & many of these had obsolete proprietary inserts, often from defunct makers. Sandvik though seemed to use a lot of “specific to them” inserts for tools that looked similar to generic ISO tooling but the inserts were not interchangeable. Most of these were available – at a price.

For the few that were used and where the insert codes were identified, inserts were sourced from Ebay, usually in part boxes and often from quite far away – several boxes came from a Hungarian seller.

The rest sat rusting in stillages – just as well that the used tooling lots at these sales were cheap.

Nigel B.
1 November 2026 at 16:38 #872313
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
You may well be better off putting them aside and spend money on something that takes easy to obtain inserts. You can tell the quality at a glance, many of the early production insert arbors had adjustability built in.

I bought a fine quality 6mm solid carbide boring bar made by Garant for a song and then ended up paying £50 for a box of their inserts. The bar will work beautifully whatever the metal being bored is but I’m still on number one of ten inserts.
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