Really good discussion & information here! I posed a similar question link below just for good measure. Consistent theme.
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/er32-vs-dedicated-endmil-holders.54052/#post-448661
Re the size issue, I bought an ER40 setup years ago when I was getting started (read naivety). And then I added onto that tooling with 4-side & 6-side collet blocks which are really nice way to hold round things in a mill vise at different orientations. Much more compact & functional over the 5C equivalent IMO. But if I had to do this again with a clean sheet of paper, I would go for a smaller kit, like ER32, maybe even ER25 depending on how you see yourself using it.
- lower tightening torque as mentioned
- smaller nut diameter (which can sometimes be a proximity or interference issue on small end mills depending on the job)
- less expensive
- same collet blocks can be acquired, also slightly less expensive
Regular EM holders still have their place. I wanted to try a Lyndex brand (which I really like) so bought a second 1/2" socket (R8) just to try. Now what I have is a 1/2" rougher EM in one holder & a 1/2" finisher in the other. I can swap them out of the mill pretty fast & all my DRO settings are preserved since EM same diameter (+/- teir tolerance). This has been my mainstay milling setup for many parts unless different sizes are required.
http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/er32-vs-dedicated-endmil-holders.54052/#post-448661
Re the size issue, I bought an ER40 setup years ago when I was getting started (read naivety). And then I added onto that tooling with 4-side & 6-side collet blocks which are really nice way to hold round things in a mill vise at different orientations. Much more compact & functional over the 5C equivalent IMO. But if I had to do this again with a clean sheet of paper, I would go for a smaller kit, like ER32, maybe even ER25 depending on how you see yourself using it.
- lower tightening torque as mentioned
- smaller nut diameter (which can sometimes be a proximity or interference issue on small end mills depending on the job)
- less expensive
- same collet blocks can be acquired, also slightly less expensive
Regular EM holders still have their place. I wanted to try a Lyndex brand (which I really like) so bought a second 1/2" socket (R8) just to try. Now what I have is a 1/2" rougher EM in one holder & a 1/2" finisher in the other. I can swap them out of the mill pretty fast & all my DRO settings are preserved since EM same diameter (+/- teir tolerance). This has been my mainstay milling setup for many parts unless different sizes are required.
