Carbide Chisel

Both brands offer excellent professional-grade quality, but with distinct orientations. Clarkson Osborn (our range of 11 models) prioritizes versatility and ISO standardization, with proven geometries covering 80% of general machining applications ideal for multi-task workshops needing a streamlined inventory.

Their carbides use formulations with 10% cobalt, balancing hardness (91 HRC) and toughness, with standard TiCN coatings ensuring predictable performance on steels from 20 to 45 HRC. Procut (our 3 specialized references) targets demanding applications with gradient carbides featuring a hardened peripheral zone (93 HRC) and chipbreaker geometries optimized for continuous production an excellent choice for workshops specialized in specific materials or high-volume production.

In practice, many Quebec machinists combine both: Clarkson Osborn for daily variety, Procut for critical repetitive operations.

The initial investment in carbide tools is 3 to 4 times higher than high-speed steel, but cost-per-part analysis reveals substantial savings. For a standard conventional lathe, expect $800–$1,200 for a complete set of 6–8 Clarkson Osborn tools covering external turning, boring, parting, and threading this investment typically pays for itself within 3–6 months of daily professional use thanks to increased productivity and tool life multiplied by 10–15.

Specialized Procut tools range from $150–$250 per unit but can machine 40–60 continuous hours versus 2–4 hours for an equivalent HSS tool. Also consider $200–$300 for a quality indexable tool holder to maximize your investment.

Production workshops calculate a machining cost per hour 40–50% lower with carbide, even including the initial investment not to mention reduced downtime and tool changes. At Équipement Industriel Polar, we advise on optimal configurations based on your volume and specific applications.

Carbide tools become essential in four professional situations. First, machining hard materials above 35 HRC (hardened steels, hardened cast iron, martensitic stainless steel), where high-speed steel loses its edge within minutes.

Second, serial production, where tool life multiplied by 10–15 eliminates constant micro-stoppages for HSS tool changes, improving productivity by 30–50%. Third, high-speed machining of light alloys (aeronautical aluminum) at 300–500 m/min, speeds impossible with HSS, which would burn instantly.

Fourth, precision machining requiring dimensional stability, as carbide maintains its geometry under thermal load where HSS deforms. HSS tools remain suitable for occasional prototyping, machining soft brass (where their elasticity prevents chipping), or very low-volume workshops where the carbide investment does not pay off.

For any professional Quebec machinist machining steel or cast iron daily, carbide is no longer optional it is the modern productivity standard.

Five specifications determine compatibility and performance. Shank size: verify the square or rectangular section (8×8 mm, 10×10 mm, 12×12 mm, 16×16 mm) matching your tool holder a shank that is too small vibrates, too large will not fit.

Overall length: typically 100–150 mm, influencing rigidity and allowable overhang. Carbide grade: rated P (steel), M (stainless), K (cast iron), or ISO (P10–P50 for steel; lower numbers = high hardness/finishing, higher = toughness/roughing).

Coating type: uncoated (aluminum), TiN (general use), TiCN (stainless), TiAlN (high temperature) identifiable by color. Nose geometry: radius 0.4 mm (finishing), 0.8 mm (universal), 1.2–1.6 mm (roughing), with defined relief and cutting angles.

On our Clarkson Osborn and Procut products, these specifications are clearly labeled according to ISO 513 and ISO 1832 standards, simplifying selection. If unsure, our Quebec-based team analyzes your specific needs (materials, lathe, tolerances) to recommend the optimal combination.

The durability of carbide tools depends on five essential maintenance practices. Proper storage: keep tools in individual compartments to avoid edge-to-edge contact, as even micro-impacts chip carbide.

Post-use cleaning: remove adhering chips and lubricant residues with a soft brush, never aggressive solvents that attack coatings. Regular inspection: examine the edge with a magnifier after every 2–4 hours of machining, looking for micro-chipping (0.1–0.2 mm) indicating the need for regrinding or replacement.

Professional regrinding: entrust to a specialist equipped with a diamond wheel respecting original angles amateur sharpening on a conventional grinder permanently ruins the tool. Optimal machining parameters: follow manufacturer-recommended speeds and feeds, as thermal overloading of carbide (even without visible damage) creates internal microcracks reducing tool life by 50–70%.

Our well-maintained Clarkson Osborn tools regularly achieve 15–25 successive regrinds, representing 120–200 cumulative machining hours. Équipement Industriel Polar offers maintenance guides specific to each carbide grade we sell.

At Équipement Industriel Polar, our Clarkson Osborn and Procut carbide tools include a manufacturer’s warranty against manufacturing defects (carbide porosity, brazing defects, defective coating) covering replacement within 90 days of purchase. This warranty excludes normal wear, breakage due to shock or overload, and damage from external regrinding.

Beyond the formal warranty, our distinctive value lies in Quebec-based technical support: pre-purchase consultation to select the optimal grade for your materials and equipment, telephone troubleshooting if performance is unsatisfactory (often caused by inappropriate machining parameters rather than product defects), and recommendations for certified local regrinders who respect original geometries.

We maintain permanent stock in Quebec of key references, ensuring immediate availability without import delays critical when production is blocked. For specialized applications, our direct relationships with Clarkson Osborn and Procut allow us to order customized geometries (special angles, non-standard dimensions) with lead times of 3–4 weeks.

Our philosophy: purchasing a carbide tool initiates an ongoing technical relationship, not a simple transaction.