Is It Worth Regrinding Your Carbide Cutting Tools?
The Numbers Might Surprise You.
There’s a habit that costs UK manufacturers thousands of pounds every year and most of them don’t even realise they’re doing it. When a carbide end mill starts to chatter, the instinct is to bin it and order a replacement. But for a large proportion of worn carbide tooling, that decision is throwing money straight in the skip.
At Drill Service, regrinding isn’t a side service we offer as an afterthought. It’s where we started. When the business was founded in 1961, precision regrinding for local manufacturers was our entire purpose. More than six decades later, we still believe it’s one of the smartest decisions a machining operation can make — and the numbers back that up.
£25–40
Regrind price, tools up to 25mm
Up to 80%
Potential saving vs buying new
60+
Years of precision grinding experience
What Does It Actually Cost to Replace Carbide Tooling?
Let’s look at some real figures from our own catalogue — the prices you’d actually pay for new carbide cutting tools at Drill Service today.
Our EMC Solid Carbide 4-Flute End Mill range prices a 6mm at £29.82 and a 7mm or 8mm at £33.57. As you scale up toward 12mm, 16mm, and 20mm sizes routinely used in aerospace, automotive, and general precision engineering, costs rise sharply — often reaching £70 to £150 or more per tool.
In our RC1200 Solid Carbide Reamer range, a 2mm reamer starts at £35.46, rising past £40 by 3mm. A 20mm carbide reamer can run well into three figures. These are not trivial costs, especially at volume.
What Does Regrinding Cost?
£25 to £40 for carbide tooling up to 25mm in diameter.
That covers end mills, slot drills, reamers, and drills restored to full cutting geometry using CNC grinding equipment.
| Tool | New Tool Cost | Regrind at Drill Service | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6mm Solid Carbide End Mill | ~£29.82 | £25–£30 | ~15–20% |
| 10mm Solid Carbide End Mill | ~£45–£65 | £25–£35 | ~40–55% |
| 16mm Solid Carbide End Mill | ~£70–£110 | £30–£40 | ~55–65% |
| 20mm Solid Carbide End Mill | ~£90–£150 | £30–£40 | ~65–75% |
| 12mm Carbide Reamer (standard) | ~£60–£90 | £25–£40 | ~50–65% |
| 20mm Carbide Reamer (sized) | ~£100–£180+ | £30–£40 | ~70–80% |
These savings compound because tools can be reground multiple times over their life.
Will a Reground Tool Perform Like a New One?
In most cases, yes.
Carbide doesn’t fatigue like HSS. What wears is the cutting edge geometry — rake angles, relief angles, and edge radius. A precision regrind restores those geometries to specification.
Reground tools can also be recoated (TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, etc.) to restore or improve performance.
Which Tools Are Worth Regrinding?
Best candidates include:
- Carbide end mills and slot drills (especially 6mm+)
- Carbide reamers
- Carbide drills with sufficient flute length
- Bespoke or special tools
At larger sizes (20mm+), regrinding is almost always the better financial choice unless the tool is physically damaged.
The Environmental Case
Tungsten carbide is energy-intensive to produce. Regrinding reduces material waste and manufacturing demand.
For companies with sustainability goals, regrinding is a practical way to reduce environmental impact while saving money.
Why Drill Service?
Drill Service has been regrinding tools since 1961. Today, the company combines that experience with modern CNC grinding.
Because they also manufacture tools in-house, their team understands tool geometry at a fundamental level — not just as a repair task, but as a manufacturing discipline.
They work across aerospace, automotive, medical, and precision engineering sectors.
How to Get Your Tools Reground
Send your tooling to:
Drill Service (Horley) Ltd
23 Albert Road
Horley, Surrey, RH6 7HR
Phone: 01293 774 911
Email: sales@drill-service.co.uk
Each tool is assessed individually, and advice is given on whether regrinding is worthwhile. Batch pricing and ongoing programmes are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to regrind or buy new?
Yes. Regrinding typically costs £25–£40 vs £45–£150+ for new tools, saving 40–80%.
Will performance match new tools?
Yes, in most cases. Regrinding restores cutting geometry, and coatings can be reapplied.
How many times can a tool be reground?
Typically 3–5 times, depending on wear and remaining material.
Which tools should be reground?
End mills, reamers, drills, and custom tools — especially larger sizes.
How much does it cost in the UK?
£25–£40 for tools up to 25mm.
How do I send tools?
Post them to Drill Service or contact them first for advice.