CNC Tooling

[MichaelBick]

My team is ordering its firct cnc mill, a haas TM-2P, and I'm not quite sure what tooling to get. So far this is my list with the different questions I have. I'm thinking of buying a large part of this from Lake Shore Carbide and Maritool:

1/8" - 3/4" End Mills

• Do I need both roughers and finishers? How are the combined roughing and finishing end mills from Lakeshore?
• Which is better: Lakeshore variable flute end mills for aluminum or Maritool aluminum high helix end mills?
• For the maritool high helix finishers, which is the best coating?
• Should I get corner radius end mills in addition to square end mills?
• Should I get reduced shank end mill or regular length? Both?

4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-32 Specialty Aluminum Taps from Maritool

• Is spiral flute or spiral point better?

Reamers

• Do I need to get reamers for each of our common bearing sizes, or is the TM-2P precise enough with a regular end mill?

Drill/Mills

• Is it better to giet idividual tools for counterskining, chamfering, and spot drilling?

Ball End Mills

• Lakeshore variable flute ball end mills for aluminum vs Maritool 3 flute high helix end mill for aluminum?

Face Mills

• Which seller is best?
• Should I get multiple types(i.e. 45 degree and shoulder)
• What diameter should I get?

Drills from maritool

• Should I get screw machine length in addition to regular?
• Is carbide worth it?
• Should I get the 3 flute drills from maritool?