End Mill Holders for Atlas MFC

CORRECTION TO Post #7 above:

I'm also not certain as to what the top 2MT arbor is or who made it but it isn't an Atlas 945. My guess is that it was originally an Atlas M1-577 that someone shortened in order to use it with a 6" lathe, as it sorta looks like the one in the M6-945 kit.

The Atlas 945 kit is a set-screw type 1/2" shank diameter cutter holder set consisting of an arbor somewhat similar to the M1-577 (except that the taper is 3MT and the large diameter end is shorter), a 3/8"-16 draw bar and hand wheel, and a thrust bearing/spacer to support and center-up the hand wheel end of the draw bar. The 2MT version for the 618 and other 6" lathes is M6-945. The M1-577 and both of the other arbors directly take a 1/2" shank diameter milling cutter. There is an Atlas 563E 1/2" OD reducing bushing set with ID's of 7/16", 3/8", 5/16 and 1/4" for smaller shank diameter cutters.

NOTE: Never ever use a Weldon style (those with a flat ground on one side) milling cutter with any of the reducing bushings unless you carefully rotate the cutter so that its flat is on the other side of the bushing from the set screw.
 
You’re right, Robert. The holder on top is for the 6” lathe. At one time I had the holders and draw bars for both the 10” and 6” lathes, but must have gotten rid of the 945. I edited my post above.
 
I'm bringing this old thread back up because I now have done a few projects with the end mill holders. They are working very well. Their length and rigidity are a significant improvement over my Morse taper collet and end-mill holder. They really improve the usability of the mill. I previously had avoided using end mills because I was not satisified with their perofrmance, but now I favor end mills over arbor cutters.

Machining the spindle socket and getting the registry diameter just right was a time-consuming hassle, but well worth it in hindsight. I encourage other MFC owners to go his route.
 
Here’s a question for horizontal mill operators: I have a small cute Sheldon horizontal mill, but I have never considered or really even thought of using an end mill in it. Is there any operation with end mills where one would prefer a horizontal mill over a vertical mill?
 
One example of when a horizontal with an end mill is handy: I restore vintage radios and electronic test equipment as a hobby. This usually involves replacing the old 2-wire power cord with a modern IEC power connector. To install the IEC connector I have to mill a rectangular hole in the back of the equipment chassis. The horizontal mill is great for this because the radio/equipment chassis can sit on its feet on the mill table while I mill the hole. A vertical mill would require that the equipment be placed on its front panel, which usually has knobs, dials and meters.

But in general, I think a vertical mill is more useful than a horizontal with an end mill.
 
I have a new to me Hardinge BB4 which is even smaller than the Atlas. I've got a nearly complete set of collets so I can hold most any endmill I want. Any tips/tricks for operating these small horizontal machines?

John
 
Did you single-point thread these? I may try making one. They look like they would be really rigid.
 
Yes, I single point threaded them, 1"x10. It was slow going as I used a small threading tool that lacked rigidity. I cut an internal relief groove at the end of the thread prior to threading.
 
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