Thanks everybody. You've helped me to narrow down what to buy by a lot. This is the updated list of tooling to buy with comments and remaining questions:
End Mills(from Lakeshore, current ones are uncoated carbide, once we learn to use the machine we will be getting the specialty aluminum ones):
1/4" - 3/4" 2 Flute End Mills Regular Length
1/4" - 3/4" 3 Flute End Mills Regular Length
1/8" 2 Flute End Mill Stub Length(I feel like the majority of work done with a 1/8" end mill is on plate that had a maximum thickness of 1/4". Should I get both this one and the an 1/8" 2 flute regular length?)
1/4" 2 Flute Ball Nose End Mill(for any strange shapes we might have to make)
- Should I get any extended length end mills?
- Should I get any corner radius end mills?
Reamers(Solid Carbide from Maritool):
.874" Reamer
.875" Reamer
1.124" Reamer(anybody have a supplier for these. I've checked multiple online places and have not found a place that sells them yet)
1.125" Reamer
Face Mills:
- Which seller is best?
- Should I get multiple types(i.e. 45 degree and shoulder)
- What diameter should I get?
Drills(All regular drills are high speed steel from Maritool. If we need tap drill sizes or longer clearance sizes we will throw them in a drill chuck):
#9 Screw Machine Length Drill(10-32 Close Fit)
#21 Screw Machine Length Drill(10-32 Tap)
#18 Screw Machine Length Drill(8-32 Close Fit)
#27 Screw Machine Length Drill(6-32 Close Fit)
#32 Screw Machine Length Drill(4-40 Close Fit)
#9 Jobber Length Drill(10-32 Close Fit)
1/2" 82 Degree Countersink Drill from Maritool
- Is high speed steel sufficient for FRC?
- I figured that the tolerances on a cnc would be sufficient for close fit. Should I get free fit sizes instead?
- Should we keep the tapping drill sizes ready in our tool crib too?
- I decided against the mill/drill(combo tool for spotting, chamfering, and countersinking). Is this a bad decision?
- Has anyone used the maritool aluminum specific 3 flute drills?
Taps(thread forming taps, from Maritool):
4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-32 Taps
- any other confirmations on thread forming being better than spiral flute?
- spiral flute?
- recommendations on specialty aluminum taps from Maritool?