FAQ - SFS Carbide Inc

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Precision Carbide Cutting Tools

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SALES QUESTIONS

What are your shipping policies? SFS Carbide Tool ships all customer orders by United Parcel Service. Ground service will be used unless otherwise specified by the customer. Shipments outside the USA are made by UPS air at actual freight charges.
What are your minimum order amounts? For domestic orders on Sidewinder Blade stock items is $20.00 and $50.00 for overseas delivery. Most items are shipped the same day order is placed. Custom cutting tools will be shipped upon production and final QC check.
How do I return items? All returns require a return authorization number (RMA#) to be placed on the outside of the package. Returns are accepted for damaged goods or incorrect items upto 48hrs after you receive them and must be returned in the original packaging.
What are your payment terms? All purchases are cash in advance until credit is established with SFS Carbide Tool or our retail shop "Cutter SuperStore". We accept MasterCard or Visa at no addition cost. Net 30 day terms after credit is established. For C.O.D. shipments, cash, money orders or cashiers check are accepted by UPS driver on first order. For all checks sent in advance the shipment will be held til the check clears. We add 5.00 shipping, packaging and freight for US domestic small quantity purchases.
What are the requirements for getting a custom tool build quote? We can manufacturer carbide cutting tools from Blueprints or samples.
What is your sales policy? We require a deposit on all custom orders prior to making prototype samples. We arrange for short and long run pricing at the time of signing contracts. Stock items are sold direct or through our USA distribution partners.

PRODUCTION QUESTIONS

What is Carbide? Carbide is a cemented matrix of tungsten carbide particles in cobalt. The Carbided tipped cutting tools formation of the tip material is similar in concept to concrete in which sand and gravel are cemented together with a limestone clay mixture. In carbide, the tungsten carbide particles are embedded in cobalt. To manufacture carbide, the tungsten carbide particles are first mixed together as fine powders and heated to 2700-2800 degrees F. Once the tungsten and carbide have combined, cobalt is added and the mixture is subjected to pressures in a die of up to 30 tons. The resulting tools shape is then heated in two stages (presintering and sintering) in an atmosphere controlled furnace to achieve final hardness.
Why use Carbide? Carbide is extremely hard and not subject to mechanical deformation in use. It is up to 20 times more resistant to wear than the finest saw steel. Finally, it is cost effective since carbide tips can be replaced simply and easily when they are worn out. Saw blade life is greatly extended while cutting quality and speed are maintained throughout the life of the blade. SFS also specializes in custom made and build to stock Micro-fiber hardened Carbide burring-cutting-boring and milling tools for industrial and commercial metalworking uses. We have added a easy to read -print and download PDF catalog for you to see some of our stock and made-to-order Carbide tools.
What products do you have? Core Drills – Gun Drills – Spade Drills – Step Drills – Subland Drills – Step Reamers – Expansion – Reamers – Counterbores – Countersinks – Reverse Countersinks – Dovetail Cutters – Keyway Cutters – Milling Cutters – Port Contour Cutters – Special or Modified End – Mills – Hollow Mills – Reverse Spotfacers – Boring Tools -Form Tools – Radius Tools – Recess Tools -Dental Drill Bits – Single Point – Tools – Trepan Tools – Cylinder Boring tools- Turning Tools -Indexable insert multi-diameter boring & turning tools.

OUR FULL CATALOG
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The Right Tool for the Job Does Make a Difference

SFS Carbide Tool Catalog
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SFS Carbide Tool Catalog
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We use all the latest CNC manufacturing and finishing equipment to produce short and long runs to the exacting requirements of our clients. Our mission is to meet and exceed the quality and accuracy demanded of your precision cutting tools so we in turn earn your repeat business. We encourage you to get a quick quote from us on stock purchases or custom tool making jobs.

We provide manufacturing to exact specifications.
Products are inspected multiple times during the production process to ensure consistency and product integrity.
All products are produced to extend tool life by using only the highest quality materials to enhance their performance at our Michigan plant for all machining applications.
Automotive CNC Blueprinting of cylinder heads and other High-Performance engine block finishing requires special cutting and polishing tools. The term "blueprinting" describes machining an engine block to exact factory specifications. The block must be bored and all the deck surfaces milled according to the crankshaft centerline. SFS excels in making the tooling for automotive, aviation and motorcycle engine building applications.
Our 90 years of experience, as a precision metalworking toolmaker and manufacturer, is matched only by our willingness to take on tooling jobs ignored by our competition.

Since 1921, SFS has supplied a wide range of cutting tools to a diversified number of industries worldwide. Specialty tool and die shops and machinery manufacturers have come to us through the years for custom tool making projects. In year 2000, SFS introduced it’s line of Sidewinder Vinyl Blades to meet the needs of the signage industry that required ultra sharp durable cutting tools to slice through a wide variety of vinyl sign material. Currently our Carbide tipped routing, milling and finishing tools have been used by major Hi-performance engine builders furnishing NASCAR and other auto racing applications. SFS provides engine cylinder head finishing tools accurate to a millionth of an inch.