The Complete Leitz Tooling Guide
How to choose, run, and maintain Leitz precision cutting tools — from router bits and planer knives to moulder cutters and industrial saw blades. Written by your authorized Leitz dealer.
Leitz is the world's leading manufacturer of precision tooling for the professional processing of solid wood, panel materials, plastics, non-ferrous metals, and composites. Founded in 1876 in Oberkochen, Germany, Leitz pioneered polycrystalline diamond (DP) tooling for wood machining, hydraulic tool clamping, and the first electronic tool-ID chip. This guide explains how to spec the right Leitz tool for your machine and material — and how to get the longest life from it.
The four things to match — every time
Mounting
Bore, shank, or HSK/hydro to your spindleMax speed (MAN)
Never exceed the tool’s rated RPMRotation (RL/LL)
Match hand to feed directionCutting material
HW carbide, HS steel, or DP diamondCarbide vs. Diamond: Choosing the Cutting Material
The single biggest cost-per-cut decision is the cutting material. Here is how the three Leitz edge types compare:
| Code | Material | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
HW | Tungsten Carbide | Solid wood, general panel work, short–medium runs | Versatile and resharpenable — the workhorse edge. |
DP | Polycrystalline Diamond | Coated board, MDF/HDF, laminate, composites | Up to 100× carbide life. Lowest cost-per-cut at volume. |
HS | High-Speed Steel | Softwood planing & profiling | Keenest, easily reground edge where sharpness beats abrasion resistance. |
The Leitz Tool Types Explained
Planer & Jointer Knives
Replacement knives and helical HeliPlan/HeliCut heads plus the Powerknife PKS system for surfacing and thicknessing. Helical designs give an almost mark-free finish, quieter cutting, and efficient chip removal.
Check: Length × width × thickness · Material (HW/HS/DP) · Knife count · Backing plate / PKS
Router & CNC Bits (DIAMASTER)
Solid carbide and PCD diamond router tooling for profiling, trimming, nesting, and boring on hand routers and CNC machining centres.
Check: Shank Ø · Cutting Ø & length · Up/down/compression spiral · HW vs DP · Max RPM
Boring & Drill Bits
Precision hinge, dowel, shelf, and through-hole boring bits with round-spur geometry for tear-free edges in coated and veneered panels.
Check: Drill Ø · Shank Ø · Overall length (GL) · Rotation RL/LL · Through/blind
Spindle Moulder & Profile Cutters
ProfilCut and multi-profile cuttersets — one head running many profiles for trim, flooring, and joinery with chip-limiting bodies for safe hand feed.
Check: Bore Ø · Profile · Hand RL/LL · Max RPM (MAN) · HW vs DP
Circular Saw Blades
Industrial blades for sliding-table, panel, and beam saws with precision plates and tooth geometries for clean, chip-free edges.
Check: Diameter · Bore + pin holes · Tooth count (Z) · Geometry (ATB/TCG) · Kerf
Bore Adaptors & Flanges
Reducer bushings, flanges, and clamping hardware that adapt blades and cutterheads to your spindle for concentric, secure mounting.
Check: Spindle bore · Tool bore · Keyway · Thickness
Tooling Hardware & Clamping
Arbors, spacers, collets, and Hydro clamping elements with a closed hydraulic system for perfect run-out control and repeatability.
Check: Interface (bore/HSK) · Clamping range · Length · Concentricity
Hoggers & Multi-Profile Cutters
Hogging and multi-profile heads for high stock removal and combined profiles in a single pass — efficient production joinery.
Check: Bore Ø · Profile set · Hand RL/LL · Max RPM (MAN) · HW vs DP
Care, Running & Resharpening
Protect the edge
Store cutterheads and blades in their cases, keep bores clean and lightly oiled, and never let carbide or diamond edges touch metal or concrete. Clean pitch and resin off regularly — buildup increases friction, heat, and tear-out.
When to resharpen
Rising cutting sound, fuzzy grain, burn marks, or increased power draw mean it's time to service. Carbide (HW) and diamond (DP) tooling can be professionally reground many times — protecting your investment in premium Leitz tools.
Spec Glossary
Bore
The centre hole diameter that fits the tool to your spindle (e.g. 30 mm). Must match — use an adaptor/flange if not.
n max / MAN
Maximum permitted rotation speed marked on the tool. Never run a tool above this RPM.
RL / LL
Rotation/hand of the tool — Right (RL) or Left (LL) — matched to spindle rotation and feed direction.
HW / DP / HS
Cutting material: tungsten carbide (HW), polycrystalline diamond (DP), or high-speed steel (HS).
Z
Number of teeth or knives on the tool. More teeth = finer finish; fewer = faster feed and chip clearance.
GL
Overall length of a drill/boring bit, shank included.
DFC
Dust Flow Control — Leitz cutterheads engineered for 97%+ chip clearance on edgebanding lines.
HSK
Hollow-shank taper interface used on CNC machining centres for fast, precise tool changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leitz tooling used for?
Leitz manufactures precision cutting tools for machining solid wood, panel materials (MDF, plywood, coated board), plastics, non-ferrous metals, and composites. The range includes planer and jointer knives, router and CNC bits, boring bits, spindle moulder cutters, saw blades, and the tooling hardware that mounts them.
How do I choose the right Leitz tool for my machine?
Match four things: the mounting (bore, shank, or HSK/hydro interface) to your spindle; the maximum speed rating (n max / MAN) to your machine speed; the rotation/hand (RL or LL) to your feed direction; and the cutting material (HW carbide, HS steel, or DP diamond) to your workpiece. Family Hardware can verify the exact fit for your machine.
Is Leitz carbide (HW) or diamond (DP) tooling better?
It depends on your material and volume. HW tungsten carbide is versatile, resharpenable, and ideal for solid wood and shorter runs. DP polycrystalline diamond costs more up front but lasts up to 100× longer on abrasive coated board, MDF, and composites — the lowest cost-per-cut for high-volume production.
Can Leitz tooling be resharpened?
Yes. Carbide (HW) and diamond (DP) tooling can be professionally reground many times, protecting your investment in premium Leitz tools. Family Hardware offers professional blade and tooling sharpening at our Cape Coral and Fort Myers locations.
Where can I buy Leitz tooling in the USA?
Family Hardware is an authorized Leitz dealer serving Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida, and shipping the full Leitz catalog nationwide. Many Leitz professional tools are hard to find online — we make them easy to order with expert support.
Ready to order Leitz tooling?
Browse 4,600+ Leitz precision tools, or tell us your machine and material and we'll spec the exact tool. In-store pickup in SW Florida or shipped nationwide.
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