Noob Milling Machine Help

A bunch of useful information from you guys. Thank you. I will bookmark this thread and put it to use when I get around to ordering my mill and tooling.
 
All I really use on my mill besides a vise are flycutters, endmills, drill chuck, parallels, file for deburring, and collets. And of course a dial indicator to get things aligned.

You will want some tools to inspect your work, cheap calipers and a used micrometer from eBay can serve very well.

For layout, I usually just use a small double square and a scribe. A height gauge and surface plate come in handy for layout, but a surface gauge can work just as well. Your mill table can be used as a rudimentary surface plate.
 
Don't worry about buying "new" end mills. eBay can be your friend in this case. When I got my mill I bought a few lots off of eBay. One particular lot had several brand new niagara end mills some 100$ or more that had never been opened. Recently got a nice valenite face mill for 60$. Typed in the number and holy cow it sells for 1200$ new. So make sure you look around before you buy.
Also I have bought a good bit of stuff from shars. It might not be the best stuff in the world but it is good quality and when your starting out and funds are short you have to make due. Good luck on your purchase.
 
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