Indexable Broaches
Special Indexable Broaches — Custom Designed for Your Application
Custom Design and Manufacturing
JPT designs and manufactures special indexable broaches for flat surface profiling, internal profiling, and precision material removal in automotive, diesel, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. Every indexable broach JPT builds is engineered to your exact part geometry, machine interface, and production requirements — delivering consistent surface finish, accurate profiles, and long tool life in the most demanding production environments.
JPT indexable broaching tools are used across a wide range of applications including engine cylinder block oil pan rails, engine bearing cap surfaces, disc brake anchor bracket faces, cylinder head surfaces, and differential case housings. From simple flat surface broaching to complex internal profiles, JPT delivers broaching solutions that meet your tightest tolerances.
The JPT Indexable Broach System — Tool Body and Cutting Detail
Like all JPT tooling systems, indexable broaches consist of two distinct components:
The Broach Body — the precision-engineered broach holder, segment holder, or broach assembly that mounts to the machine tool. The body is the capital component — custom-engineered to your machine interface and part geometry, designed for long service life with proper maintenance.
The Indexable Insert or Cutting Segment — the perishable cutting detail that contacts the workpiece. JPT’s indexable broach designs use rotatable and reversible cutting inserts that provide as many as ten cutting indexes per insert — dramatically reducing cost per edge compared to brazed or solid broach designs. When all indexes are consumed the insert is replaced, not the entire tool.
This two-component model means your tooling investment is protected. The broach body stays in service. The cutting details are replaced as needed at a fraction of the cost of conventional broach replacement.
Broach Designs and Configurations

Flat Broaches — JPT flat broaches are designed for high-volume flat surface material removal on engine blocks, oil pan rails, cylinder heads, and other flat datum surfaces. The lay-down indexable insert design provides low cutting forces, excellent surface finish, and easy insert indexing without removing the tool from the machine. Ideal for roughing and semi-finishing flat surfaces in automotive and diesel engine production.

Half-Round Broaches — JPT’s half-round indexable broach design is engineered for profiling curved and semi-circular features including crankshaft bearing cap seats and other radius profiles. The indexable lay-down design allows for rapid insert changes with consistent profile accuracy across high-volume production runs.

Bearing Cap Broaches — JPT bearing cap broaches are specifically engineered for engine bearing cap surface finishing — one of the most demanding broaching applications in automotive engine production. Bearing cap surfaces require exceptional flatness, surface finish, and profile accuracy to ensure proper bearing crush and oil film maintenance. JPT’s indexable bearing cap broach designs deliver consistent results run after run with low-cost insert replacement rather than expensive tool regrinding.
Disc Brake Anchor Bracket Broaches — JPT designs special indexable broaching tools for disc brake anchor bracket face machining — a high-volume automotive application requiring precise parallelism and surface finish on the brake pad contact faces. See JPT Disc Brake Anchor Bracket Tooling for the complete system.

Features and Capabilities
JPT indexable broaches offer significant advantages over conventional brazed or solid broach designs:
- Rotatable and reversible cutting inserts — up to ten cutting indexes per insert for maximum cost efficiency
- Double-sided insert designs — further extending insert life and reducing cost per edge
- Center screw-down insert clamping — secure, repeatable insert location for consistent profile accuracy
- Low cutting forces — lay-down design reduces impact force compared to brazed or stand-up indexable designs
- Elimination of cutter grinding — no regrind required, simply index or replace the insert
- Coated carbide insert grades — available in multiple grades and coatings for your specific workpiece material
- Low-cost maintenance — insert replacement cost is a fraction of conventional broach replacement or regrinding
- Improved geometry — engineered cutting geometry for your specific application and material
- Increased productivity — faster cycle times and reduced downtime for tool changes
- Lower power requirements — efficient cutting geometry reduces machine load
Designs and Configurations Available
JPT manufactures a complete range of indexable broach configurations to cover your application:
- Half Round Broaches — for crankshaft bearing cap and radius profile applications
- Flat Broaches — for oil pan rails, cylinder head surfaces, and flat datum features
- Stick Broaches — for internal profiling and keyway applications
- Sub-holders and Holders — precision tool holding systems for broach segments
- Tapered Gibbs — for precise broach segment location and clamping
- Custom designs — for any broaching application not covered by standard configurations
Applications and Industries
JPT indexable broaching tools serve precision machining applications across automotive, diesel, and heavy equipment production:
Automotive Engine Production — Engine cylinder blocks, engine cylinder heads, and engine bearing caps are the primary applications for JPT flat and half-round indexable broaches. High-volume automotive engine lines demand broaching tools engineered for consistent surface finish and maximum uptime across multi-shift production schedules.
Disc Brake Systems — Disc brake anchor brackets require precise flat broaching of the brake pad contact faces. JPT’s special indexable anchor bracket broach designs deliver the parallelism and surface finish required for safe brake system performance.
Differential Case Housings — Parking brake and differential case housing features requiring precise surface broaching. JPT engineers indexable broaches for these applications to the exact geometry required.
Diesel and Heavy Equipment — Engine block and cylinder head surface broaching for diesel engine manufacturers. Dedicated special machines in heavy equipment production environments run JPT broaching tools continuously across demanding production schedules. JPT is registered through SAM.gov for defense and government manufacturing requirements.
Why JPT for Special Indexable Broaches
JPT does not sell from a catalog. Every indexable broach we manufacture is engineered to your specific part geometry, machine interface, and production requirements. Our engineering team works directly with your team to develop the right broaching solution — correct insert geometry, correct segment configuration, correct holder design for your machine and application.
Our approach aligns with the precision engineering standards recognized by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, reflecting a commitment to process, precision, and continuous improvement in manufacturing tooling solutions.
For complete machining system design including broaching as part of a multi-operation tooling solution, visit our Custom Engineering page. For bearing cap broach tooling by application, see Engine Bearing Cap Broach Tooling.
- Custom indexable broach design for any flat, profile, or internal broaching application
- Up to ten cutting indexes per insert for maximum cost efficiency
- Coated carbide grades for ferrous and non-ferrous materials
- Complete broach systems including holders, sub-holders, segments, and tapered gibbs
- Repair and rebuild services for broach bodies and holders, all brands
Learn more about JPT Repair Services
Let’s Talk About Your Broaching Application
Every application is different. JPT’s engineering team works directly with your team to understand your specific broaching requirements, surface finish specifications, and production challenges — then designs a broaching solution built specifically for you.
Call us at 586-786-0080 or contact us online. We’re ready to help.
The JPT Difference
Have a new project or tooling challenge? Let’s talk. Our team is ready to help you find the most cost-effective solution for your specific application.
The JPT Way
Most tooling problems aren’t solved by buying off the shelf. They’re solved by understanding the application, the machine, and the process — then engineering the right solution.
Cutting tools. Fixturing. Complete production solutions. That’s been the JPT way since 1971. No catalogs. No guessing. Just engineering.



