Frequently Asked Questions
Policies, Terms & Conditions
New accounts may be shipped either C.O.D. or payment by major credit card. Open credit accounts are due within 30 days after the invoice date. All past due accounts will be subject to a 1.5% per month interest charge and our standard collections policy. Collection fees will be the responsibility of the customer should this service become necessary.
Prices
Prices are subject to change without prior notice. Any prices published in a price list, catalog, or sales flier, are subject to confirmation
Freight
All shipments are FOB Newcomerstown, Ohio. Any applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Ownership of product passes to purchaser at the time products are picked up by the freight company for shipment to purchaser. Shipments may be insured at purchaser's expense.
Minimum Order
A $25.00 minimum order charge will be assessed on any order for tooling or service work that does not meet the $25.00 minimum.
Cancellation of Order
Cancellation of order will be accepted without charge for an order for standard tooling not yet shipped. Custom tooling is
not subject to cancellation without charge relative to stage of manufacture. Incremental charges will apply to the nearest 25% level of completion. (ie; a tool at 35% completion will be billed at 50%).
Returned Goods Policy
A Returned Goods Authorization number (RGA) must be requested from our customer service department prior to returning any product for inspection or evaluation. The RGA must be requested within 30 days of the purchase (shipping) date material was shipped from our facility. Product received without an RGA number will not be accepted and will be returned at sender's expense. Any return will be made by customer on a freight prepaid basis. The tooling must be packaged appropriately to prevent shipping damage, and the package must be clearly marked both externally and internally with the RGA number.
A 20% restocking fee will apply for all standard tooling returned for credit, provided: 1.) The tooling is not used, and, 2.) The tooling is in the original packaging.
Custom tooling is not returnable or subject to cancellation without charge to stage of manufacture, unless tool was not
manufactured to the drawing specifications. Custom tooling with a specific performance question may be returned for evaluation after securing an RGA number from customer service. Tooling returned for evaluation must be accompanied
by a sample of the material cut with the tool.
Based on our inspection and evaluation of the tool and sample, H3D Tool Corp. at their sole discretion may;
1.) Rework the tool at no charge
2.) Rework the tool at a charge
3.) Replace the tool, or
4.) Receive the tool and issue full or partial credit
In any case, H3D Tool Corp. full responsibility will not exceed the purchase price of the tool in question.
Limited Warranty
H3D Tool Corp. warrants its product only for their intended use. H3D Tool Corp. warrants the products manufactured at the facility to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. H3D Tool Corp. liability and customer exclusive warranty is limited to payment of the purchase price, repair, or replacement, at the option of H3D Tool Corp., and upon return of product to H3D Tool Corp. in accordance with the Returned Goods Authorization Policy listed above. This warranty shall not apply to products not manufactured by H3D Tool Corp. This warranty further shall not apply to products which have been subjected to misuse, negligence, accident, or damage due to circumstances beyond our control, or due to improper installation or storage, or to other than normal use.
Carbide vs. Diamond Tooling
(Brazed Carbide, Insert Carbide, and PCD Diamond)
Choosing the right tooling depends on your production volume, accuracy requirements, and long-term cost goals. Below is a comparison of the advantages of each tooling option.
Brazed Carbide Tooling – Advantages
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Lower initial cost compared to insert and diamond tooling
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Ideal for short production runs, prototypes, or one-time jobs
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Simple, proven solution for many applications including complex jobs
Insert Carbide Tooling – Advantages
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Maintains consistent profiles throughout the life of the tool
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Excellent dimensional control, including tool diameter and axial constants
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Reduced setup time due to predictable tool geometry
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Replaceable inserts can be changed quickly and accurately in the field resulting in reduced downtime
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Reduced lead times in repeat insert purchasing
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Cost-effective balance between performance and flexibility
Diamond (PCD) Tooling – Advantages
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Significantly lowers overall production costs over long runs
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Virtually eliminates or greatly reduces setup and reset times
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Minimizes scrap and material loss due to stable tool geometry
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Requires fewer highly skilled operators by eliminating frequent adjustments
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Maintains extremely tight dimensional tolerances over the life of the tool
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Produces superior edge finish due to exceptional sharpness
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Capable of higher feed rates for increased throughput
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Reduces tooling inventory and the labor required to manage it
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Complex geometry available to improve cutting performance and finish quality
What is PCD Tooling and how is it manufactured?
PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) is a synthetic, extremely durable cutting material made from randomly oriented diamond particles bonded together in a metal matrix. It is created by sintering carefully selected diamond particles under extremely high pressure and temperature within the diamond-stable region. The result is a material that is exceptionally hard and highly resistant to wear and abrasion.
Why PCD is used for cutting tools
Diamond is the hardest and most wear-resistant material known. While single-crystal diamond can fracture along natural cleavage planes when exposed to impact, PCD eliminates this weakness by using a polycrystalline structure. The random orientation of diamond crystals significantly improves toughness and resistance to chipping, making PCD ideal for industrial cutting applications.
How PCD Tooling is manufactured
PCD blanks are produced under conditions similar to diamond synthesis—approximately 1 million PSI of pressure and temperatures around 1,700°C. Synthetic diamond crystals are grown together on a hard metal substrate, typically tungsten carbide.
This process creates a material that combines:
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The hardness and abrasion resistance of diamond
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High thermal conductivity for cooler cutting
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The toughness and impact resistance of hard metal
The PCD blank is then brazed to a steel or carbide tool body and precision machined using grinding, wire EDM, or EDG (Electro Discharge Grinding) to form the cutting edge.
Practical applications of PCD Tooling
PCD tooling is used across a wide range of industries and materials, including:
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Router cutters for hardwoods and wood-based materials such as MDF and particle board
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Spindle and shaper tools
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Milling and turning tools for non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, and magnesium alloys
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Machining of fiberglass, plastics, carbon fiber, ceramics, metal matrix composites, and sintered or pre-sintered tungsten carbide
Complex and highly precise profiles can be achieved using wire EDM and EDG processes, allowing PCD tools to maintain tight tolerances and consistent performance over long production runs.
How to handle and install PCD Tools?
PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) tooling represents a significant investment. These tools are chosen because their long life between sharpenings, superior edge finish, and reduced operating costs justify their higher initial cost. To realize these benefits and avoid costly repairs, proper handling, storage, and setup practices are essential.
Damage that might cost $20–$80 to repair on carbide tooling can easily cost hundreds to thousands of dollars on PCD tooling. Following the guidelines below will help protect your investment and maximize tool performance.
Handling and care guidelines
PCD is extremely hard but also brittle. Even minor impacts can cause chipping or cracking of the cutting edge.
Always follow these handling practices:
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Handle tools with extreme care when removing them from protective packaging
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Never bump the tool against the spindle, guards, table, or any part of the machine
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Do not allow the cutting edge to contact jewelry, rings, or other hard objects
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Never lay the tool on a hard surface where the cutting edge can touch (use rubber, foam, etc)
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Always store the tool in its protective packaging when not in use
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Transport tools between the machine and storage using the reusable packaging provided
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Ship tools back to H3D Tool Corp. for service using the original reusable packaging
⚠️ Exercise extreme caution when handling PCD tooling - improper handling can result in immediate tool damage.
Cleaning PCD Tools
Improper cleaning can shorten tool life or damage the PCD cutting edge.
Recommended cleaning practices:
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Never use acids or caustic cleaners (such as oven cleaner)
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These chemicals attack the cobalt binder in PCD and reduce tool life
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Use Blade Clean or a mild window cleaner instead
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Never use a wire brush
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Use a soft toothbrush or similar non-abrasive brush to remove buildup
Tool setup and verification
PCD tools are engineered with specific cutting angles and geometries tailored to your application. Care during setup is critical.
Setup best practices:
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Do not use metal calipers to measure tool diameter
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Contact with metal can chip the cutting edge
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Use plastic calipers if measurement is required (optical or digital comparator preferred)
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Do not touch off the tool on the table, part, or any hard surface
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If touch-off is required, use a pre-measured firm rubber pad
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Subtract the pad thickness to determine the true Z offset
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Always remove all setup tools and objects from the machine table before making the first cut
My tooling is dull or damaged! What’s next?
Your tooling is a critical part of your manufacturing process and a significant investment. At H3D, our goal is to protect that investment and maintain it to the highest quality standards in the industry.
We approach every repair with a simple philosophy: we treat your tooling budget as if it were our own. Each tool is carefully evaluated to determine the most cost-effective solution—whether that means sharpening, repairing, reconditioning, or replacement.
If a tool has reached a point where repair is no longer economical or safe, we will clearly explain why and provide a quote for a new replacement tool.
Our customers are more than customers; they are partners.
Returning tools for sharpening or repair
Proper packaging is essential to prevent additional damage during shipping.
Packaging guidelines:
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Pack each tool individually
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Fully protect all cutting edges
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Ensure tools cannot move inside the package
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Use the original packaging provided when the tool was new whenever possible
Improper packaging is one of the most common causes of damage outside of normal tool wear.
Why return your tool to H3D?
While many local shops offer basic sharpening, most do not have the equipment or expertise required to fully rebuild or re-tip tooling to original specifications.
As a complete tooling design and manufacturing facility, H3D uses the same equipment, processes, and quality controls for sharpening and reconditioning that we use to manufacture new tools. This allows us to restore tooling as close to “like-new” condition as possible.
If a tool cannot be restored to original performance standards, we will recommend the best replacement option available.
H3D values both you and your tooling investment.
Our commitment
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Honest evaluations
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Cost-effective repair recommendations
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Industry-leading quality standards
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Clear communication at every step
Where is H3D tooling manufactured?
All H3D tooling is proudly manufactured in the United States at one of our two dedicated production facilities:
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Newcomerstown, Ohio
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Connelly Springs, North Carolina
By manufacturing entirely in-house at our U.S. facilities, we maintain complete control over design, materials, machining, brazing, and quality inspection. This allows us to deliver consistent performance, faster lead times, and the high standards our customers expect.
Choosing American-made tooling means:
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Tighter quality control at every stage of production
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Faster turnaround for new tools, service, and repairs
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Direct communication with our engineering and manufacturing teams
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Supporting skilled American craftsmanship and manufacturing jobs
From custom design to final inspection, every H3D tool is built by experienced professionals right here in the USA.
Who does H3D make tooling for?
H3D designs and manufactures tooling for a wide range of customers from small custom shops to large-scale production facilities. Whether you’re running short batches or high-volume manufacturing, we build tooling solutions to match your operation, materials, and production goals.
We proudly serve industries including:
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Furniture manufacturing
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Windows and doors
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Cabinetry and casework
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Millwork and trim
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Wood processing and engineered wood products
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Custom manufacturing and specialty applications
No matter the size of your operation, our tooling is engineered to deliver accuracy, consistency, and long-term value. From one-off custom tools to fully optimized production tooling, H3D partners with you to ensure the right solution for your application.
What are H3D Tools lead times, and do you offer rush orders?
Our standard lead time for most new tooling is approximately four (4) weeks. This allows us to properly engineer, manufacture, and inspect each tool to our quality standards.
That said, we understand that production schedules change and downtime can be costly. In certain situations—especially for repeat orders or existing tool designs—lead times can often be significantly reduced, sometimes to just a few days.
If you have an urgent need:
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Contact us as soon as possible
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Let us know the application and required delivery date
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We will evaluate your request and offer the fastest, most cost-effective solution available
While not every tool can be rushed, we make every reasonable effort to support our customers when timing is critical.
*Please note - rushes will be subject to fees where applicable
