Must Have Mill Machine Accessories For A Beginner?

I have been collecting a number of used tools from eBay and CL. I research what I am looking for do a search on eBay and CL and wait for a deal to come along. I have gotten some incredible deals on very expensive items such as machinist levels, parallel sets, indicators, V blocks... I just got 4 machinist clamps in two sizes along with two 1x2x5 parallels for $35. They are all in perfect condition with only slight amount of wear. This is all sterret stuff which would have cost hundreds of dollars new.
 
So.... what about a lathe to go with my Mill.... :cpa: I do not need it now... but I will start to research what is available new in the US$1,000.00-1,500.00 range. I will create a separate thread for this...just wanted to share here for those that made the comment of never ending addiction... yeah... I seem to be suffering from it...
 
Tooling Websites...

AnyTimeTools................... http://www.anytimesale.com
CDCO Machinery Corp............ http://www.cdcotools.com/index.php
Discount Machine Shop.......... http://stores.ebay.com/discountmachineshop
eBay........................... http://www.ebay.com
Enco........................... http://www.use-enco.com
Essentra Components............ http://us.essentracomponents.com/
Note: Formerly Reid Tool Supply Company
Fastenal....................... https://www.fastenal.com
Glacern Machine Tools.......... http://www.glacern.com/
Grizzly........................ http://www.grizzly.com
Harbor Freight................. http://www.harborfreight.com
Lathe Inserts.................. http://latheinserts.com
Hot Deals................... http://latheinserts.com/HOT-DEALS_c92.htm
Little Machine Shop............ http://www.littlemachineshop.com
Machine Shop Discount Supply... http://www.msdiscount.com
McMaster....................... http://www.mcmaster.com
Metal Lathe.................... http://www.statecollegecentral.com/metallathe/index.html
MSC Industrial Supply.......... http://www.mscdirect.com
Polygon Solutions............. http://www.polygonsolutions.com
Princess Auto.................. http://www.princessauto.com
Shars Tools.................... http://www.shars.com
Note: Join Email List for 10% Permanently
TE-CO.......................... http://www.te-co.com/
Tom's Techniques............... http://tomstechniques.com/
Tooling Solutions.............. http://www.toolingsolutions.com/
Tools4Cheap.................... http://www.tools4cheap.net
Travers Tools.................. http://www.travers.com
US Shop Tools.................. http://www.usshoptools.com
Victor Machine Exch............ http://www.victornet.com
Wholesale Tools................ http://www.wttool.com
Yuriy's Toys................... http://www.yuriystoys.com

Let me know if there is anything else to add to this list. Note, Metals Websites are separate in a later post.
 
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I began watching videos recently because I don't know what all the tools being mentioned look like or even what they do. At one point I began capturing screenshots of various tools/accessories and labeling them. The one's I've done so far are fairly basic, but I plan to add more as I get time. Feel free to PM me if you have anything to contribute and I'll add them as well. I figured something like this might help others since this link says accessories for a beginner... and you can't get much more of a beginner than me. :wink:

Adjustable Angle Plate.jpg Adjustable Vise.jpg Milling Clamps.jpg Milling Vise.jpg Parallels.jpg Rotary Table 001.jpg Rotary Table 002.jpg Rotary Table 003.jpg Slotted Angle Plate.jpg Step Block 001.jpg Step Block 002.jpg V-Blocks.jpg
 
Thank you for those photos. :encourage: Saving them in a folder.
 
That is a very nice practice... saves you from having to always look up stuff on google... I will start doing the same. Thank you!!

On other news... got the order from Shars... no bolts came with the blocks...just fyi...

542b2bae-f231-40d1-8723-e9903d861c6d_zpsay2tg3ad.jpg
 
wachuko said:
So.... what about a lathe to go with my Mill....
Click to expand...

Called it! <laugh>

You've got it bad. I can sympathize as a fellow sufferer.

One thing though: as counter to your inclinations as it may be, I strongly suggest that you start immediately on a project or two that uses as few of these new tools as possible. I made the mistake of trying the most complex projects first, using every tool in my shop. Trust me, it's better to keep most of your new tools packed away until you've got a job that really and truly needs that specific tool.

Regarding the lathe, I went the other way, started with a lathe and added a vertical mill later. Most projects really do benefit from having both available (but it's worth getting creative even just to avoid a clamping/fixturing change). Personally, I've started making deals with myself: finish n projects with my existing machines before purchasing another. Saves frightening credit card bills, and I believe it's made me a better machinist to boot. It's amazing how far you can go with just a bench vise and a few files.

Check out http://www.clickspringprojects.com/ to see just how fine a job can be done with a few hand tools and a small (and relatively inexpensive) lathe like a Sieg or Sherline/Proxxon. That guy is my hero.
--
Rex
 
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