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TS's new toy

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bogstandard:
TS David,

It looks like that you have the collet set sorted, you can't go far wrong with ER.
For the vice and RT, I would personally, if you can afford to go the little extra, buy Vertex.

The are not the cheapest, and by far not the most expensive, but the few squid extra does show in the build and use quality. The K series of vices are very good value for money. But again, things are improving dramatically in the Chinese import stuff, I can only comment on what I have had personal dealings with. I also have bought Groz & Soba vices, and IMHO are not worth bothering with. They look nicely finished, but don't stand up to in depth scrutiny and performance. I think I only have one left, having given the others away to needy causes.
Don't pussyfoot around on size, fit the biggest one you can. Measure the width of your mill table, double it, and that is the maximum length of the vice (not width) you should fit. A little shorter is ideal. So if your table is 5" wide, a vice around 9" long would be ideal.

Also while you are around the show, don't forget a set of parallels. A 1/8" set is the starting point, then say a 1/2" set later on.

One of the most important bits of equipment you will require for your mill will be an edge finder. From personal experience and others as well, you have only one choice. The Chinese range vary in quality from OK to unuseable (I have bought a few over the years as spares), but I suppose they will get better. Starrett is the one to go for, and I doubt if you would be able to pick one up from the show, so it would mean a search on the net. You can get either Imperial or metric, depending what your machine is, and will cost you just over 20 squid. I have been using mine almost every day for the last 20 odd years, and it works just as well now as the first time I used it.

As you go around the show, you will be like a kid in a sweet shop, don't buy on impulse just in case you might need it one day, as it looks all new and shiny. At one time you used to get a lot of discounted prices at shows. Unfortunatley, it costs the traders a lot more each time they go, so 'real' bargains will be few and far between. You might find you can pick up the same items from their websites at the same price as at the show.

Just get your essentials to begin with, and add to your tooling as your experience and needs grows. If you are at the show with some of the lads, they will show you some of the essential knick knacks you will need.

John

Twinsquirrel:
Thanks for that guys,


--- Quote ---Also while you are around the show, don't forget a set of parallels. A 1/8" set is the starting point, then say a 1/2" set later on.

--- End quote ---

doh, can't believe I didn't have a set of parallels on my shopping list.

cheers

David

Twinsquirrel:
Well I took Darrens advice and headed down to the local car-boot sale today and as luck would have it there was a nice old chap there selling medals etc along with a few bits of tooling, used end mills and the like. We got chatting and it transpires he's beed a steam buff for years and has built or rebuilt everything from full sized steam lorries to model loco's, he showed me a lovely collection of photos of his past builds which must have spanned 60 years!!

Anyway to cut a long story short he produced this from the back of his car.



It's a 6" k series Vertex vice I think and looks virtually unused but the radial pivot is missing, Im not sure if spares are available but the price was right so it followed me home. It may be a bit on the large side though :D

david

Darren:
Well there you go David, you made me happy now... :thumbup:

The trick is to keep going, you'll end up with all sorts in no time... :ddb: :ddb: :ddb:

Divided he ad:
WOW!!!  That's huge!  Mines only a 4"!!!


The radial pivot.... Is off mine to create a little more clearance for jobs.... Never used it anyway!


Top find over a ton new!


You having fun yet??  :D




Ralph.

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