What do I need to mill on my machine???

[PurpLev]

Since you mentioned you have a lathe, you could also make some end mill tool holders with 3/4" shank and use those in a R8 3/4" holder which would be a quick-change tool holder like this:


this is using the Tormach design which is pretty nice (just done with lesser materials and finishing for less cost):

http://www.tormach.com/product_tts2.html
http://www.tormach.com/product_tts2.html

 

[HSS]

I have a bunch of odd size R8 collets that came with my mill in a drawer and have never had any use for them in my milling machine. I use the 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 because all of the cutters I buy come in those shank sizes.
Patrick

 

[kd4gij]

Oh dang they're on order... and i see... or will when I get them. I did get some beefy cutters from my retired machinist freight that looks like they need the end mill holders with flats milled on them. I will get some R8 Collets hopefully this weekend at the 7 mile fair.

What is overhang? Is that the tool sticking down from the quill - closer to work piece?

What mill do you have. That will make a differnce in what you use to hold endmills. I have a benctop G0704 and unly use R8 collets. At work We have Bridgeport's and use R8 mostley. Only use endmill holders for large endmills hogging lots of material off at once.

 

[wolframore]

What mill do you have. That will make a difference in what you use to hold endmills. I have a benctop G0704 and unly use R8 collets. At work We have Bridgeport's and use R8 mostly. Only use endmill holders for large endmills hogging lots of material off at once.

I have a Knuth DBF 400. I'm sure the R8 collets will be fine. I like tools, will buy some select sizes and save up for a ER set. I'm sure I'll make use of the end-mill holders. I have some large end mills with 3/4 and 1 inch shanks. Got them for a song and a dance from a retired machinist. One is a indexable face mill with 3 cutters with a couple packs of inserts. Haven't even tried it.. won't fit in the chuck. Probably a good thing. One has a chamfer with inserts and a funny shank. Bunch of HHS end mills of various sizes. Need to keep my eyes open for solid carbide ones.

Did another scrap yard run and got about 80 lbs of steel for $13.00. Mostly 3/16" wall 1 1/2" square tubing. Some 420 bar stock and various odds and ends.

 

[wolframore]

I went to the seven mile fair and wow what deals. Found a guy that sells import machining tools for the best prices i've seen. I got a 7 pc set of R8 collets new in a box 1/8 - 7/8 for $28. I didn't bring enough for the R8 - ER40 collet set. They want a 15 pc set (1/8 - 1" by 1/16") for $136 includes the collet chuck and wrench in a case. I think they sell online somewhere.

I tried the R8 collets to mill a flat and it worked. I was able to mill... this is some 1/4" mild steel using a 1/2" end mill. Thanks for explaining... I'm sure the end-mill holders will find a use somewhere.

 

[wolframore]

Thanks for the input guys... I know this is elementary but I got this machine a couple months ago and have never worked as a machinist or even taken shop class. I've been reading a lot and just excited about making things that I never thought that I would be able to make. This really is a very interesting and cool hobby for me. I want a bigger mill now. I understand what people are saying about the 3-1 machine not having enough capacity for the mill. The lathe is decent but the mill is very limited by where the head is placed.

I suppose this will do until I run into a situation where I need to mill more than 4 to 5 inches...

This is my first milled block. It;s about 3/4 x 2 x 3"

 

[Tom Griffin]

Charlie,

Looks like it works well enough to generate excitement. No matter what machinery you have, there is always something bigger and better to dream about. The fun thing about machining is that what you can create is only limited by your imagination and your ability to learn.

Tom