CNC Insert & Tool Holder Selector

Find compatible tool holders for any carbide insert, or get insert recommendations by material. ISO 1832 (inserts) + ISO 5608 (holders) compliant. Free.

🔄 Bidirectional 📏 ISO 1832 / 5608 🔧 18 Inserts ⚡ Instant

Find Compatible Holders for Your Insert

Enter any ISO 1832 insert (e.g. CNMG120408). Partial matches work — even CNMG or just C.

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Compatible Tool Holders

Get Insert & Holder Recommendation by Material

Tell us what you're machining. We'll recommend insert + grade + holder + cutting parameters.

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Recommended Tool Holder
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Starting Cutting Parameters
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How Insert & Holder Compatibility Works

Every indexable CNC turning system has two parts: the carbide insert (cutting edge) and the tool holder (steel body). For them to work together, they must share three dimensions: shape (1st char: C/D/T/V/W/S/R), inscribed circle (IC) in 1/16" (5-6th chars: 08/12/16/19/25), and thickness in mm (6th char: 04/06/08).

ISO 1832 Insert Code (7 chars) — Quick Decode

Example: CNMG120408 = C 80° rhombic  |  N 0° relief  |  M medium tolerance  |  G chipbreaker both sides  |  12 IC=12.7mm (1/2")  |  04 4.76mm thick  |  08 0.8mm corner radius.

Common shapes: C=80° rhombic (general), D=55° rhombic (high feed), T=60° triangle (profiling), V=35° rhombic (contour), W=trigon 80° (multi-edge), S=90° square (shoulder), R=round (heavy roughing).

ISO 5608 Holder Code (7 chars) — Quick Decode

Example: DCLNR 2020K R = D Double clamp  |  C 80° approach  |  L 0° lead  |  N standard tolerance  |  R right-hand  |  2020 20×20mm shank  |  K 125mm length.

Holder style: D=double clamp (rigid), P=pin lock (fast change), M=multi-lock, S=screw clamp (compact). The R/L suffix = right/left hand — most turning uses R.

Common Compatibility Mistakes

  • Wrong IC. Forcing 12.7mm insert into 15.875mm pocket causes shifting and catastrophic failure.
  • Mixed shapes. CNMG and DNMG both rhombic but 80° vs 55° — not interchangeable.
  • Wrong hand. R-hand tool used where L-hand needed causes chip-flow issues.
  • Thickness error. Undersized insert moves; oversized won't clamp and may crack holder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CNMG stand for?
ISO 1832 designation: C=80° rhombic, N=0° relief angle, M=medium tolerance, G=chipbreaker on both faces. The 6 digits after give size: 120408 = IC 12.7mm, thickness 4.76mm, corner 0.8mm.
What is the most common insert size?
CNMG120408 — 12.7mm IC, 4.76mm thick, 0.8mm corner. The workhorse for general turning on steel, stainless, and cast iron.
Can I use a CNMG insert in a CNMA holder?
No. CNMA has a different tolerance class (A vs G) and hole type. Always match the full 4-char code (positions 1-4) to your holder.
What does R at the end of a holder code mean?
R = Right-hand (cutting edge approaches from the right toward the chuck). L = Left-hand for back-turning. Most production uses R.

About BEYOND & OYYU

BEYOND and OYYU are precision cutting tool brands from Super Industrial Trading Co., Ltd (Hangzhou, China). 13+ years OEM/ODM for Mitsubishi / Kyocera / Sandvik / Korloy / Sumitomo / Walter / Tungaloy specs. HS Code 8209 documentation, DHL 3-7 day worldwide.