What Parallel set to start with?

[Meta Key]

I like the 1/4" thick parallels. I use parallels for more than just in the vise -- I frequently find them useful doing layout work and the thickness is sometimes really handy.

I've been using the set I have for decades and only a few times have felt the need for something different. On those occasions I made whatever I needed. So, now there's a drawer full in the roll around.

MK

 

[Lo-Fi]

I went through the exact same thing and ended up with these after much agonising:

Buy | at Zoro

at Zoro. Zoro is UK's leading tools and MRO supplier, featuring the widest range of products from all leading brands.

www.zoro.co.uk

Having a good selection of sizes has come in really handy already and I like that they're nice and thin. Zoro US sells similar sets, though I don't think I can find that exact one.

 

[projectnut]

Another vote for the 1/4" parallels as a starter set. I use them far and away more often than any other size. I'm not sure what size mill you're purchasing, but I find the 1/4" sets work best on a 6" or 8" vise and full size machine like a Bridgeport. If you're buying a smaller machine or using a smaller vise a thinner set might be in order.

Like Bruce I have several different length, width, and thickness sets. The sets go from 1/32" x 6" to 3/4" x 12". Over the years I've also bought lengths of ground stock for special applications.

 

[fishingreg]

A chunk of open cell foam works awesome too, just be sure the work covers it or you get to find out what burning open cell foam smells like.

I will have to google open cell foam to see what folks are using. My mind has a hard time picturing it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[fishingreg]

Another vote for the 1/4" parallels as a starter set. I use them far and away more often than any other size. I'm not sure what size mill you're purchasing, but I find the 1/4" sets work best on a 6" or 8" vise and full size machine like a Bridgeport. If you're buying a smaller machine or using a smaller vise a thinner set might be in order.

Like Bruce I have several different length, width, and thickness sets. The sets go from 1/32" x 6" to 3/4" x 12". Over the years I've also bought lengths of ground stock for special applications.

Thanks, I have a smaller mill coming. It is in the large bench top type catagory but below knee mills. I wish I had the room and money for a knee mill, maybe one day but right now I don't have the space and being new to milling, its probably a better starting place. My vise is a 5" vise. I can see how the 1/4" would be easy to work with though. I think I will start with the 1/8" and like everything else I do, it wont be long and I will have a drawer full of different items to use...

 

[rock_breaker]

if you want to be a real hobbyist you could make your own parallels as a project on your mill. In the Workshop Practice Series 35 Milling a Complete Course Harold Hall describes a method to make acceptable parallels. I have made two sets.
Enjoy your machines.
Ray

 

[fishingreg]

if you want to be a real hobbyist you could make your own parallels as a project on your mill. In the Workshop Practice Series 35 Milling a Complete Course Harold Hall describes a method to make acceptable parallels. I have made two sets.
Enjoy your machines.
Ray

Thanks, I will look up up that course. I'm always looking to learn more. I did get a inexpensive set to start with, since I have never run a mill, I really want to just have the tooling and start with the very basics but I am sure more paralles will be in order once I get familiar with the machine. Thanks again.

 

[rock_breaker]

That series of books has a lot of information about hobby machining. The one on gear making clarified a lot of the work and terminology better than anything I had read up to that point. I take special care if of both books.
Have a good day
Ray

 

[fishingreg]

That series of books has a lot of information about hobby machining. The one on gear making clarified a lot of the work and terminology better than anything I had read up to that point. I take special care if of both books.
Have a good day
Ray

Thanks Ray, I ordered the first book and will make note of this one as well. I also saw one on hardening metals which I thought would come in handy one day.

Thanks again,
Greg

 

[MrWhoopee]

I will have to google open cell foam to see what folks are using. My mind has a hard time picturing it. Thanks for the suggestion.

I believe it was a reference to using foam as a "spring" between 2 parallels.