External form broaches are usually carried on a guided ram and mounted in a broach holding fixture. Strength is generally not a major consideration since the cutting force is transferred to the ram at many places along the length of the broach(es). Form broaches are typically identified in the following categories:

Flat surface broaches
Flat surface broaches are used to remove material from the external surface of a part. The broach passes "over" the work piece to produce the desired surface. In some instances, the work piece itself passes over stationary tools (i.e. chain broaching). Flat surface broaches can be constructed from either solid high-speed steel or inserted carbide.

Form surface broaches
Form surface broaches are used to remove material from an external surface as well. However, rather than producing a flat surface, they generate many types of contours and shapes. Applications for form surface broaching are myriad, and include:

• serrated forms
• angular spline and gear forms
• "fir tree" forms
• compressor slots
• keyways