Help Needed Identify Carbide Inserts Needed, and How to Keep Them Organized

I've spent several hours trying to figure this out on my own, but not making any progress. I have some Kennametal boring bars that need inserts, they did not come with any so not sure what they use other than triangular inserts. So I know they will start with a T, but lost after that, no idea if next letter should be N (neutral) or P (positive). Part #'s on bars are C10S-KTFPR2, and C08-NELL05, google shows these for sale, but no info found on insert P#'s. How do I search by tool P# to find correct insert, or just plain help needed identifying the correct inserts.

How do you keep inserts organized so when you need a new one you don't have to open 20+ boxes looking for the right one? I'm thinking engrave/etch each tool with a number, and organize the inserts to match that number, maybe there is an easier way? Suggestions/ideas needed.

Edit: Correction, I think the C08-NELL05 boring bar uses a diamond shaped insert. No idea where to start on finding that one.

Edit again: In the triangular inserts a TPG322 is too large, and TPG221 is too small, what is inbetween those sizes?

try this. https://ntminc.com/wp-content/uploads/Catalog/mobile/index.html#p=24

if that looks like your bar then try kennemetal npl51 inserts

the other bar looks like an ancient n3l insert. guessing they have not been made in years

dalmatiangirl61 said:

Suggestions/ideas needed.

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If the tooling still has the part number, you could email Kennametal and ask them.
Or you might get lucky and the bars would have the insert number still visible.
Not sure if Kennametal does that but other mfg's do.

The C10S-KTFPR2 should take a a TPG-221. Wonder why it does not fit?? ... modified?
The C08-NELL05 should take a NP-51 or NPGR-51 and those are rarer ducks.
Both should be carbide shank bars Hence the C up front.

CarbideBob said:

The C10S-KTFPR2 should take a a TPG-221. Wonder why it does not fit?? ... modified?

Click to expand...

Not modified, basically new unused old surplus, maybe I just thought the insert should protrude a little further, I'll check again. I picked up these bars back in the 90's, USAF surplus, used the smaller ones, but never got around to using the larger ones, their time has now come.

I saw a link somewhere on here in the past on how to decode insert P#'s, not finding it now, can someone please repost that link, just purchased a shload of lathe tool holders and inserts, I now have the proper motivation to study that.

check at the front of the catalog that I posted the link to above. it describes all of it. they also have the inserts for the npl bar. though i should tell you they do not repeat well and are pretty much a crappy geometry to bore with. you can pick up cheap ccmt steel boring bars on ebay that will out perform either of those. I have two brand new carbide bars that take the inserts and have inserts to boot, yet they still are not worth busting out. a screw in bar is much better than the top clamp. Chips hit it. plugs the bore. blah blah blah. If you must give them a shot the kennemetal insert number is npl 52 for .03 radius. npl51 for .016 rad and npl 50.5 for .008 rad. so just order a npl51 k68 for non coated or kc850 for coated. I doubt they come in any modern coating.

I see boring bar identification on page 14, not seeing insert identification chart. Found some affordable NPL51 LP25, what do those last 4 digits mean, or point me to a chart. As long as I've held on to these, might as well give them a try.

Edit: Poking around internet I found an insert decoder at carbide depot. Lets see if I get this right
N= Shape 55 degree parallelogram, or is that 55-1/2 degree?
P= Clearance/Relief Angle 11 degrees
L= tolerance (too much info to type)
- = skip N/A
5= size (too much info to type)
1= Thickness, either 1/16" or 5/64" ???
L= wiper lead angle, 75 degrees ?
P= wiper clearance angle, 11 degrees ?

No idea what that last 25 stands for.
Is any of that above correct?

They are 55 degree parallelogram. http://www.tools-n-gizmos.com/info/Insert_ID_Kennametal.html shows todays iso system for insert identification. As far as Kennemetal is concerned that is. The npl and npr were invented before the iso system was established. most likely the last 4 digits you mentioned are most likely the coating and or grade of substrate carbide. one other thing is even though there is a iso system, very infrequently do all manufacturers follow it to a T. ( they all think they are the only game in town. ) Best thing you can do is pick a manf. and stick with them when possible or find insert geometry that the majority of companies all agree on, cnmg, dnmg, tcmt, ccmt, cpgm, everyone makes them so availability is huge. Sorry to drag on.