First tooling purchase for the Bridgeport - Advice Wanted

[GregHarris]

Greetings Everyone,

I hope this is the correct location to post this. I did some searching but didn't find anything specific to the type of initial tooling purchases I'm about to make. For now, I'm going to source most of my stuff from Shars, as they have a Black Friday sale on almost everything involving their house brands. My 1961 Bridgeport was supposed to come with some tooling but the guy I bought it from never made good on that. So my machine has been sitting dormant for a year while I reconfigured my shop and bought all my metrology equipment. The mill came with an import vise but I didn't realize it was missing a jaw. I was unable to match up the hole pattern to any replacement jaws I could find online, so I bought a 6" Vevor and went through it and deburred it and cleaned it up. I already have most of the basics for my lathe.

Right now, I have some basic starter tooling in my shopping cart (all Shars brand):

• high precision 5C round collet set - 15 piece (for my previously purchased collet blocks)
• 1/8-7/8 7-piece high precision R8 collet set
• 3/16-3/4 tin coated 2 and 4 flute end mill set (this is just to get me familiar with end milling...I plan to buy higher quality mills as they need replacing)
• 1/2=1" M2AL 4-piece roughing end mill set
• Live center for my lathe
• tool blanks for my lathe
• 2" adjustable boring head with carbide indexable boring bar 6-piece set w/extra carbide inserts
• HSS dovetail cutter set
• Wiggler edge center finder set
• edge/center finder set
• 3" face mill with R8 arbor with extra carbide inserts
• adjustable parallels
• ultra thin parallels (I already have a standard set)

With nearly a $300 discount, I'm still sitting at a cart total of about $1200 with tax and shipping.

Anything else I should consider? Any changes to the above items? I don't have a DRO on the machine yet but I'm planning for that soon.

I also have a couple sizes of machinist jacks, a collet rack, a basic fly cutter set and a few other bits in my Amazon cart.

Thanks in advance,

Greg

 

[markba633csi]

I used to buy sets but I don't anymore. Often I found that some items never got used, and the ones that did wore out too fast.
For example, a 7/8" R8 collet- would you ever use that? I'm guessing not very often if ever.
I found it was better value to buy better quality individual pieces as needed
Also, Shars quality varies

 

[CJ5Dave]

An R8 drill chuck will be nice if you did not get one with the mill.

 

[mmcmdl]

For example, a 7/8" R8 collet- would you ever use that?

I've used them many times , and many times they've split into 3 pcs .

 

[GregHarris]

An R8 drill chuck will be nice if you did not get one with the mill.

Forgot to mention: That is one accessory that came with the mill.

 

[GregHarris]

I used to buy sets but I don't anymore. Often I found that some items never got used, and the ones that did wore out too fast.
For example, a 7/8" R8 collet- would you ever use that? I'm guessing not very often if ever.
I found it was better value to buy better quality individual pieces as needed
Also, Shars quality varies

I consider most of what's in my shopping cart to be "disposable" until I figure out my real tooling needs as I gain skill with the machines. Once I figure out what sizes of things I'll be using most, I'll upgrade/replace as needed to better quality, collets included, probably mostly sourced from MSC Direct and/or used on eBay (though, my luck usually isn't good with used).

 

[matthewsx]

Generally, if you do buy all that stuff you’ll see an ad on Craigslist or FB marketplace that’ll provide everything you need and more within a week or so.

Since you’re in Michigan I’d really suggest holding off on just “stocking up”. Since it’s a hobby you can probably plan your projects and purchase what you need when needed.

The need for different size end mills isn’t huge, you can probably do everything you need with 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2” so buy quality stuff from the start. I bought my US made face mill off eBay for cheap and ordered the shank separately. Likewise with HSS tool blanks, look for quality stuff like MoMax. Often much cheaper than import stuff and sometimes even comes with useful grinds already done.

Also, if you haven’t already figure out who runs the jobber machine shop near you and pay a visit. If you can make friends with them you might be able to buy offcuts of material and sometimes even tooling.

I’d spend that $$$ on good storage so you’re ready for the load of stuff that’s already out there waiting for you.

Ask Dave @mmcmdl or Matt @mattthemuppet2 on here for stuff too, they’ve got literal buckets of tooling to sell at very good prices.

John

 

[GregHarris]

Generally, if you do buy all that stuff you’ll see an ad on Craigslist or FB marketplace that’ll provide everything you need and more within a week or so.

Since you’re in Michigan I’d really suggest holding off on just “stocking up”. Since it’s a hobby you can probably plan your projects and purchase what you need when needed.

The need for different size end mills isn’t huge, you can probably do everything you need with 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2” so buy quality stuff from the start. I bought my US made face mill off eBay for cheap and ordered the shank separately. Likewise with HSS tool blanks, look for quality stuff like MoMax. Often much cheaper than import stuff and sometimes even comes with useful grinds already done.

Also, if you haven’t already figure out who runs the jobber machine shop near you and pay a visit. If you can make friends with them you might be able to buy offcuts of material and sometimes even tooling.

I’d spend that $$$ on good storage so you’re ready for the load of stuff that’s already out there waiting for you.

Ask Dave @mmcmdl or Matt @mattthemuppet2 on here for stuff too, they’ve got literal buckets of tooling to sell at very good prices.

John

Good tips. Thank you.

I have a used Kennedy tool box and cart that I picked up on ebay with space for much of the tooling. It already houses my metrology stuff and whatnot, but I have space for the cutters and collets and other things.

 

[ChazzC]

Rather than getting a set of 5C collets to use with your collet blocks, I suggest getting a set ER-40 Collets and new collet blocks. The ER collets will be more useful and you can get a collet chuck to fit your lathe (sell the 5C blocks).

I'm assuming you also have a good quality vise for the mill, but if you're not happy with it, the Tegara vises are nice.

 

[pontiac428]

• high precision 5C round collet set - 15 piece (for my previously purchased collet blocks)
• 1/8-7/8 7-piece high precision R8 collet set
• 3/16-3/4 tin coated 2 and 4 flute end mill set (this is just to get me familiar with end milling...I plan to buy higher quality mills as they need replacing)
• 1/2=1" M2AL 4-piece roughing end mill set
• Live center for my lathe
• tool blanks for my lathe
• 2" adjustable boring head with carbide indexable boring bar 6-piece set w/extra carbide inserts
• HSS dovetail cutter set
• Wiggler edge center finder set
• edge/center finder set
• 3" face mill with R8 arbor with extra carbide inserts
• adjustable parallels
• ultra thin parallels (I already have a standard set)

Good advice from Mr. Matthews, above. I agree with him, and offer my take:

Get the high precision collets, they're fine. Add a 1" R8, you'll want it if you don't have heavy end mill holders yet.
Skip the end mill sets and buy a lot of resharpened used on ebay or from someone on this site. TiNi coated Chinese butter steel is regret in a box.
China lathe blanks have hard spots in them, you'll see when you grind them. Ebay the old USA stuff and re-grind them to suit.
Buy a used boring head. You can get a used Criterion or good Japanese tooling for the same price as the Shars and be much happier.
I've never used my wiggler, ever, and it's made in Germany.
Get a Mitutoyo edge finder, it's not an expensive tool to begin with, and you will trust it more.
Pick up a face mill on eBay also, I love my Kennametals. Shars arbors are okay. I picked up a China face mill but never mounted it, it seems alright but there's no money to be saved when pro grade used and new old stock is out there for good prices.
The Shars parallels are good. Adjustables? Maybe in a pinch, better to spend on something else IMHO.

When buying used, you have to look very closely at the images and make your decision. Worn finish ain't no thang if the surfaces that count are pristine. There's some real junk out there, but there is also some amazing deals on high quality tools to be had. It's a patience game, but for common tooling like your list, it won't take long to get stuff you'll use, not need to replace, and won't wear out or make you frown if it doesn't perform. Not trying to be snobbish, but the good stuff will make you smile when you use it, and you don't really have to pay a lot to get it. There are exceptions on both sides of the rule, to be sure.