I've read the posts here that come up in the search. What I'm wondering about is more the sizes to look for. I don't plan to work on really large projects anytime soon, but I'm curious about a few things I hope people can share what they are using. I'm also trying to keep a reasonable budget here, just enough to get going with some basic projects. Perhaps if you can recommend vendors etc. that have a good price/performance level? The plan right now is to work with mild steel and aluminum.
What I have...
6" Vise, "KKK" branded, looks a lot like the old Bridgeport vises. I'll probably look for a Kurt or Glacern, but this seems pretty good for now.
Parallels, a little short for this, I bought them for a smaller vise.
R8 collets, need to inventory the sizes, but they cover a decent range. Along with an MT3 adapter, so I can use my lathe drill chuck.
Clamping kit, angle plates, and V-blocks. Indicators.
A little set of 3/8" shank endmills, HSS, import that I got for my lathe milling attachment.
ER40 collets I got for the lathe, Techniks brand.
Thinking of getting...
Fly cutter. Seems useful for squaring up stock. Prices are all over the map though.
Roughing and finish end mills. For starting out, HSS seems like the best option. Recommend a couple sizes you use a lot on smaller projects? Perhaps some brands/vendors to look for? Prices are all over here as well, but it seems like a tool that is worth spending a little more on.
ER40 adapter might be nice for my existing collets. Probably a more long term thing along with a DRO.
What I have...
6" Vise, "KKK" branded, looks a lot like the old Bridgeport vises. I'll probably look for a Kurt or Glacern, but this seems pretty good for now.
Parallels, a little short for this, I bought them for a smaller vise.
R8 collets, need to inventory the sizes, but they cover a decent range. Along with an MT3 adapter, so I can use my lathe drill chuck.
Clamping kit, angle plates, and V-blocks. Indicators.
A little set of 3/8" shank endmills, HSS, import that I got for my lathe milling attachment.
ER40 collets I got for the lathe, Techniks brand.
Thinking of getting...
Fly cutter. Seems useful for squaring up stock. Prices are all over the map though.
Roughing and finish end mills. For starting out, HSS seems like the best option. Recommend a couple sizes you use a lot on smaller projects? Perhaps some brands/vendors to look for? Prices are all over here as well, but it seems like a tool that is worth spending a little more on.
ER40 adapter might be nice for my existing collets. Probably a more long term thing along with a DRO.