Steel Ball Nose Shank

Steel Ball Nose Shank

The Stiger steel ball nose shank is a rigid, precision-ground tool holder designed for ball nose insert milling in profiling, 3D contouring, and mould & die applications. Built from hardened tool steel, it delivers the stability and accuracy needed for demanding copy milling work – from roughing out cavities to semi-finishing complex curved surfaces.

Replaceable insert design – lower tooling costs

Instead of replacing an entire solid carbide tool when the cutting edge wears, simply swap the ball nose insert and keep machining. Inserts locate on a precision-ground seat for accurate, repeatable positioning and consistent runout, so you get predictable surface finishes and dimensional accuracy insert after insert. It’s a cost-effective alternative to solid carbide ball nose end mills, especially in larger diameters and longer reach applications.

Built for stability and reach

The steel shank body is engineered to resist deflection and dampen vibration, even at extended lengths – essential when machining deep cavities, cores, and hard-to-reach features in mould and die work. A secure insert clamping system keeps the cutting edge firmly seated under heavy radial and axial loads.

Typical applications

Copy milling, 3D profiling and contouring, mould and die cavity work, semi-finishing of curved and sculptured surfaces, and general slotting and ramping in steels, stainless steels, cast iron, and hardened materials (depending on insert grade selected).

Available sizes

Pair with the correct Stiger ball nose insert grade for your workpiece material and operation.