Tungsten Carbide Scrap: Current Prices and Where to Sell
"I have a big bucket of worn carbide inserts, end mills, and drill bits from our shop. What's the best way to sell them and what should I expect?"
Clean solid tungsten carbide (end mills, inserts, drill bits) pays $8.00–$16.00/lb. Carbide sludge/grinding swarf pays $1.00–$4.00/lb. Do NOT sell to a local scrap yard — they don't have the buyer network and will underpay. You need a specialized carbide buyer. Many will send a prepaid shipping label for lots over 10–20 lbs.
Tungsten carbide is one of the most valuable scrap metals by weight — but it's also one of the most frequently undersold because most local yards don't handle it properly. If you have worn carbide tooling from a machine shop, you're sitting on serious value. Here's what it's worth and how to sell it right.
Tungsten Carbide Prices by Form
Solid carbide end mills, drill bits, and reamers: $10.00–$16.00/lb. Indexable carbide inserts (clean, no steel holders): $8.00–$14.00/lb. Carbide round stock and blanks: $10.00–$16.00/lb. Brazed carbide tools (carbide tip on steel shank): $4.00–$8.00/lb (lower because of steel weight). Carbide grinding sludge/swarf: $1.00–$4.00/lb depending on moisture and contamination.
How to Prepare Carbide for Maximum Value
Remove carbide from steel tool holders — the steel weight dilutes your payout. Keep inserts separate from end mills if possible (different buyers may pay different rates). Keep carbide dry — wet or oily carbide pays less. Don't mix carbide with steel chips or other metals. The cleaner and more separated your carbide, the better your price.
Why Local Yards Underpay for Carbide
Tungsten carbide requires a specialized refiner to process. Most local scrap yards don't have direct relationships with carbide refiners, so they either refuse it or price it conservatively. A specialized carbide buyer has direct refinery relationships and pays market rates. The difference can be $4–$8/lb — on 50 lbs, that's $200–$400.
Shipping vs. Pickup for Carbide
Carbide is dense and heavy — a small bucket of inserts can weigh 20–30 lbs. For lots under 50 lbs, many specialized buyers will email you a prepaid shipping label. For lots over 50 lbs, pickup is usually available. ScrapMetalBuyers.com handles both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tungsten carbide worth per pound?
Solid carbide tooling (end mills, inserts, drill bits) pays $8.00–$16.00/lb. Brazed tools pay $4.00–$8.00/lb. Carbide sludge pays $1.00–$4.00/lb.
Should I remove carbide inserts from steel holders?
Yes — the steel weight dilutes your carbide price. Remove inserts from holders before selling. The difference can be $2–$4/lb.
Can I ship carbide for sale?
Yes. For lots under 50 lbs, many buyers provide prepaid shipping labels. Contact ScrapMetalBuyers.com for a shipping label or pickup arrangement.
Do you buy tungsten carbide?
Yes. We buy all forms of carbide tooling — end mills, inserts, drill bits, round stock, and sludge. Call (754) 310-2984 or use our calculator for an estimate.