New to Milling, looking for tooling recommendations

Parlo said:
Go big.

You can hold small stuff in a big vice but not big stuff in a small vice, even hold a small vice in a big vice.
I would go for an 8" vice, it is probably the tool you will use the most. Also a 5/8" keyless chuck.
Forget flycutters there are plenty of cheap tipped facemills about - leave one insert in if you need a flycutter ( you won't though ).
Take time to make an accurate datum retaining end stop.
Forget indicator holders - get a lever indicator with a pivoting stem - it will always be set on centre, great for small bores to tramming the head.
A set of R8 sidelock holders will be very useful.
Start to collect a set of reduced shank drills 13.5 to 26 in 0.5 increments and make a stand.

These are items that save me time and frustration on all my jobs.

There will always be stuff you need, so concentrate on what suits your projects.
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An 8" vise will tip his machine over.......
 
Jim F said:
An 8" vise will tip his machine over.......
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LOL! no not an 8 inch. the old warrior I have coming is a 5". Might be a bit too big, but will make for a nice resto project at the very least....
 
mattthemuppet2 said:
I've got some nice collections of drills, HSS endmills and taps for sale that will get you up and running quickly. I should have some drill chucks that might fit the bill too, if you let me know what you're after.
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I'm interested.
 
After you get your initial tooling setup, here are a few "intermediate" items you might enjoy:
  • Shop-Vac for cleaning up the gobs of chips you'll be making
  • Small air compressor (if you don't have one) for a air gun
  • Spiral point and spiral flute ground taps in common sizes. Import is fine. Stop buying Irwin taps from Home Depot
  • Variety of milling cutters (chamfer cutters, conterbores, countersinks, fly cutter, etc.)
  • Good tap handle and spring loaded tap follower
  • Brass shim stock set. Useful for everything and often used in setting up parts (especially castings)
  • 2" Boring Head w/ 3/4" stub shank arbor (you might have to cut it to size on your own)
  • Vee blocks, usually 2 pair in different sizes covers most of your needs.
  • Set of over/under reamers .1245 to .5005. Great for press/slip fits to dowels. More useful than on-size reamers IMO.
  • 2", 3", 4" tool makers vises. Great for lots of setups. You can hold these in your existing vise to make compound angle setups.
  • Angle setup block set. Used with the tool maker's vises above.
  • 2-3 sets of 1-2-3 blocks. Great for general purpose setup
  • 4" rotary w/ tailstock. 4", 4 jaw independent lathe chuck
  • 4" 4 jaw independent lathe chuck + DIY backplate to mount to mill take. Quick setup on round parts.
  • Digital Readout. AliExpress has options for ~$250. Lot of work to install, but worth every penny.
  • 0.0001" Swiss style dial test indicator. Really ups your game in terms of accuracy. This is pricy though.
 
macardoso said:
After you get your initial tooling setup, here are a few "intermediate" items you might enjoy:
  • Shop-Vac for cleaning up the gobs of chips you'll be making - got one
  • Small air compressor (if you don't have one) for a air gun - 20 gallon in the back room
  • Spiral point and spiral flute ground taps in common sizes. Import is fine. Stop buying Irwin taps from Home Depot - have a couple sets, mostly through taps, very few bottoming.
  • Variety of milling cutters (chamfer cutters, conterbores, countersinks, fly cutter, etc.) - have small assortment, need more
  • Good tap handle and spring loaded tap follower - have a couple decent tap handles, some ratchting (love ratching tap handles!). Not sure what spring followers are, more research required.
  • 2" Boring Head w/ 3/4" stub shank arbor (you might have to cut it to size on your own) - done, but r8 shaft
  • Vee blocks, usually 2 pair in different sizes covers most of your needs. - done, but only one set
  • Set of over/under reamers .1245 to .5005. Great for press/slip fits to dowels. More useful than on-size reamers IMO. -Very few reamers, I buy as needed
  • 2", 3", 4" tool makers vises. Great for lots of setups. You can hold these in your existing vise to make compound angle setups. - have none, they're pricey, will take a while to get a couple.
  • Angle setup block set. Used with the tool maker's vises above. - not sure what they are, research is required
  • 2-3 sets of 1-2-3 blocks. Great for general purpose setup - have a set of 1-2-3 blocks, only one set of two though
  • 4" rotary w/ tailstock. 4", 4 jaw independent lathe chuck - have none. pricey, will take time to acquire
  • 4" 4 jaw independent lathe chuck + DIY backplate to mount to mill take. Quick setup on round parts. - do not have. Price again.
  • Digital Readout. AliExpress has options for ~$250. Lot of work to install, but worth every penny. - may buy one, may not. Price is the big factor. Still trying to find one that will work with my atlas th42 at a reasonable price (IE: resonable to my wallet)
  • 0.0001" Swiss style dial test indicator. Really ups your game in terms of accuracy. This is pricy though. - looking at a couple starett models, Older ones though. Older "distressed" stuff is how I get a lot of my "quality" tooling. Pick 'em up a deent prices and restore them.
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Replies in RED. Good list though....
 
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