CNC Turning: tool and insert selection

Written By Ashish Kumar S

November 10, 2025

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CNC – Tool and insert selection for Turning

How do you select the tool holder style, insert clamping type, insert clearance angle, insert shape and a dozen more parameters, so that you can cut your part in minimal time and get it to pass inspection ?

On most shop floors the tool used is a single ‘favourite’ tool, with no scientific basis for selecting the holder and insert. Just understanding the science behind the selection can improve your machining productivity hugely.

These documents will help you select turning tools and inserts:
CNC turning insert nomenclature
Boring holders iso nomenclature

If some of the terms in the document are unfamiliar to you, just read these earlier posts:

Text and pics. source: CADEM NCyclopedia multimedia CNC training software.

Author

Ashish Kumar S

cadem

Ashish brings strong techno-commercial depth across CNC productivity solutions, CAD/CAM systems, and skill development initiatives. As the face of CADEM’s CNC ecosystem, he drives solution adoption and market growth by aligning advanced manufacturing software with real-world production challenges. A passionate advocate of CNC education in India, he actively engages with customers and students to bridge the gap between industry needs and workforce readiness.

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