By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Milling Tools

New Workshop Set Up

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
<< First < Prev 1 2 3 Next > Last >>
mgj28/11/2009 11:35:37
1017 forum posts
14 photos
Jason - are Hertel the same as FC3s.
 
I believe FC3 is a standard, because I have cutters made by all sorts of people.
JasonB29/11/2009 07:17:04
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
Hertel is the maker, not the type. and yes as far as I can tell they are FC3s
 
If you want some very reasonably priced milling cutters try these can't beat them for general work or use on castings to save risking the Dormers on a hard spot.
 
Jason
John Haine29/11/2009 10:42:03
5563 forum posts
322 photos
Two thoughts.
 
I have 4 outer races of taper roller bearings which make useful parallels - but before you use anything similar run the face over an oilstone or diamond lap a few strokes.  Mine turned out to have a slight burr round the edge which marked the mill table when it was clamped down!
 
On the whole I use an angle plate and a selection of toolmaker's and g-clamps for milling much more than my machine vice.  The plate was a quid or so from a market stall, it's ground on all faces, and has a fence screwed to one of the vertical edges.  Easy to align to the table with a square, great for milling edges of plate and so-on, the fence will align an edge vertical.  I have only once had a workpiece move and that was when I was being silly anyway.
 
John.
KWIL29/11/2009 12:16:11
3681 forum posts
70 photos
Decide when you are starting out and at some times along the way, just what you want to make, that will determine the size of desireable machinery. Once away from the training area mentioned by others you will be on your own. I had to add a raising ring to my Bridgeport so I guess things must be getting bigger!
chris stephens29/11/2009 15:46:36
1049 forum posts
1 photos
Hi Guys,
The Hertel brand of FC3 have a  slightly longer shank than the original (?) Clarkson ones, but seem to be pretty good quality. I have a set in a nice little plastic box that came from J&L for about £20 +P&P+VAT . The box also contains non FC3, 8 &10mm cutters.
I used to have a source of FC3s at very advantageous prices, who remembers Bert at Sert? A shop and shop keeper sadly missed? For those interested the last I heard, during the summer,  he is alive and well and breeding Budgies! 
Come to think of it, who remembers the Summer, on a wet and miserable day like today?

Regarding marking your mill table, as has been suggested in hints and tips why not use brown Kraft paper under anything you clamp to the table. Saves marking the table and promotes better grip, also delays condensation induced rust.. Although if machining Titanium take care, sorry Circlip, I could not resist it, as a penance I shall brave the cold and wet and go and make something.
chriStephens
harrye frowen29/11/2009 17:37:47
2 forum posts
Wanted, Atlas horisontal mill, slotting attachment+ verticle head.
David Clark 129/11/2009 18:51:56
avatar
3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
I remember Sert.
Great little tool shop.
Shame his daughter died suddenlyy and he had to shut the shop to look after his wife.
regards david
 
chris stephens29/11/2009 20:25:23
1049 forum posts
1 photos
Hi David,
If you knew Sert you must have been local to West London, so I guess you will have the opportunity to see the young ones next month. Enjoy! 
chriStephens
Ian S C29/11/2009 23:37:03
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
For parallels I have as well as bearing races,so pieces of key steel(new unused,in origional box)all within .0005"of each other.They are 5/16"x5/8"x12",and I got 4 at a second hand shop for next to nothing.IAN S C
ChrisH02/12/2009 11:05:40
1023 forum posts
30 photos
Hi Circlip
Thanks for those 4 website - I continue to marvel at the wealth of information on the web if you know where to look or are pointed in the right direction. 
 
regards, Chris 
Circlip02/12/2009 11:42:07
1723 forum posts
An udder one for the droolers, and if you need ideas, and can't spreken ze Deutch, don't bother with Babbel fish, this booger is a serious CRAFTSMAN.
 
  After you've made one or two bits from other sources and learn how to see things without having everything dimensioned for you, click onto the various topics for expansion.
 
  Brass must be cheap in Deutchland.
 
  Regards  Ian.
 
Terryd17/01/2010 17:19:14
avatar
1946 forum posts
179 photos
One of the most useful 'tools' I have found is the  library of utilities free from Alan Munday there are all sorts of useful tables and functions, saves a lot of calculation.  Get them in one package, free, here:
 
http://www.alanjmunday.info/
 
 
Ian S C19/01/2010 09:00:58
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
I make my own fly cutters,and thread the end 3/4" 20tpi to fit the largest collet in my Posilock milling chuck,saves making or buying no 3 MT blanks.Ian S C
Terryd19/01/2010 17:39:20
avatar
1946 forum posts
179 photos
Hi Ray,
 
Perhaps this is a bit late but if I were just starting I would do as you, except I would miss out the clamping set, they are so easy to make.  Also I would miss out the Boring Bar and Head (- you can make one later if you need it as your skills improve); and parallels ( I use ball race shells and lengths of ground stock and make them as needed.
 
Unlike others, I would buy sets of drills, taps and cutters from the less expensive ranges (Far East probably) that Arc Euro, Chronos or RDG etc sell, but certainly not the Aldi stuff (drills etc).  Buying these, means that you can get going reasonably cheaply and then buy quality tools as you find out what you use most and as they wear out. As a beginner your are likely to make mistakes and it's better to ruin inexpensive tools rather than the better quality you will buy to replace them as they wear (or break/chip)
 
You will decide what you need most as your interest and skill develops and beginning with a good set of inexpensive tools is not a bad start given the reasonable quality of most Far Eastern products.  In my experience they are not bad at all.  And by the way, it is better in the long term to go metric if you are happy with it as there are less variation of tools to buy (just look at the range of taps you will need for imperial).

Edited By Terryd on 19/01/2010 17:40:23

Ian S C20/01/2010 09:29:49
avatar
7468 forum posts
230 photos
I bought a clamping set because it was cheaper tham the materials required to make the stuff.Ian S C
Stub Mandrel20/01/2010 21:25:11
avatar
4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
I must be honest, i get as much pleasure from making tooling as making models. More I suppose, because you get the pleasure over again from using the tools.

My dividing head  mounts my mini lathe chuck. The spindle and body were two huge lumps of cast iron from college engineering, and I 'free hobbed' the gear at a second attempt (number 1 had 61 teeth!) It looks a bit agricultural, but it does the job. I also made a boring head and a ER25 collet holder (which was in ME about 9 years ago).
 
I suggest putting your money into one or two solid vices, good milling cutters and standardising on one type of holder. You can make almost anything else, if you wish.
 
Neil
 


Stub Mandrel20/01/2010 21:29:24
avatar
4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
Making tools brings twice the satisfaction; you get to make it, then you get to use it.

I advise investing in a good vice/clamps and plenty of milling cutters that all fit the same holder system. You can make almost any other accessory you need, if you should choose to do so.
 
Neil
 
Oops sorry for the double post - Firefox crashed and I didn't think I had sent the first version.

Edited By Neil on 20/01/2010 21:31:35

mgj20/01/2010 22:51:11
1017 forum posts
14 photos
I agree about the personal satisfaction in making one's own tooling, and even better, using it. As a bonus, because it was for personal use, its often been made more accurately by far than some of the professional stuff. (In our circumstances wear and tear is not a major problem)
 
So I made all sorts of dividing heads, a complete mill, boring heads, vices, mods to the lathe, rotary tables, interchangeable mandrel sets and more yet which  was indispensable (on the day!).
 
The problem comes when a visitor comes and looks at this well appointed workshop, and says "When are you going to make something then?"
 
So tooling has a fascination all of its own, but it gets you left out in the cold. 
 
A Stuart 10 which you can knock off in  3 or 4 longish evenings and bits only have to fit where they touch and it will still go OK, has them drooling as it runs on air.
 
So where are the priorities?
Stub Mandrel24/01/2010 22:30:17
avatar
4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
LOL!
 
A Stuart 10 which you can knock off in  3 or 4 longish evenings
 
You might manage that! Mine took ages -  It would take longer now as I'd try and do a better job.
Circlip25/01/2010 09:48:34
1723 forum posts

"A Stuart 10 which you can knock off in  3 or 4 longish evenings and bits only have to fit where they touch and it will still go OK, has THEM drooling as it runs on air."
 
   Whom Meyrick???
 
  The pleasure I get from the hobby is for my own satisfaction, the toolmaking part is a means to an end and part of the experience. God forbid that THIS site degenerates into the likes of many of the American "Tool Gloat" and sicofantic praise trawling Fori.
 
  Can't understand how so many can extol the virtues of EVERYTHING from the far east and then decry that homeland manufacturing is disappearing and weep bitterly.
 
  Yes, not everyones boat, but the challenge is to my own (Or lack of ) skills, but I never cease to wonder at some of the efforts made long before the advantage of todays multi tooled workshops.
 
   Regards  Ian
<< First < Prev 1 2 3 Next > Last >>

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Shopping Partners
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate