Interchangeable heads have a significant impact on workshop costs.
In precision drilling, solid carbide heads (Iscar, Kennametal, Tungaloy, Sandvik, etc.) offer high performance… but at a price ranging from €36 to €180 per piece.
Regrinding can turn this expense into a tangible operational advantage.
When savings are real
The comparison is straightforward:
- new head → €36–180
- regrinding → 35–45% of the original price
Result: up to 65% net savings.
Not all heads are suitable for regrinding.
Minimum conditions:
- diameter ≥ 8 mm
- no structural damage (deep chipping = scrap)
- max. 3 regrinding cycles per piece
Technical constraints
Regrinding is effective only if:
- material removal on the head height does not exceed 0.6 mm
- original geometries are maintained (angles and reliefs as designed)
- PVD coating is optimized: in some cases performance even exceeds new tools
A real case: from failure to €85,000 savings
A Spanish automotive company used 2,000 heads Ø16.2 and Ø17.2 per year.
The first regrinding attempt, entrusted to the wrong supplier, led to:
- roughness worsening from Ra 0.8 μm to Ra 3.5 μm
- tool life reduced by 70%
- uncontrolled vibrations on the machine
Cause: cutting edges too aggressive.
Adopted solution:
- controlled edge honing (0.05 mm)
- coating specific for alloy steels
- test on 50 samples before full production
Result: stable roughness at Ra 0.9 μm, performance equal to new, and annual savings of €85,000.
How to choose the right partner
The difference lies in competence. Key requirements:
- preliminary economic feasibility analysis
- standardized and traceable process
- maximum three regrinding cycles to ensure consistent quality
Conclusion
Regrinding is not a “low-cost fallback,” but a precise industrial strategy.
Applied correctly, it delivers new-tool quality at one-third of the cost.
