Hi Jim!
That flat you're referring to is a 'Weldon' flat. If you're using an R8 collet to hold the end-mill, the only thing holding the tool to collet, is the collet's fitment and friction. Unless you're really hoggin' heck out of something, you'll likely not overcome the collet, in which case, you'd rather spin the end-mill in the collet, than spin the collet in the spindle. If you use an end-mill holder, the end-mill SHOULD fit the holder's ID very tight (Without the set screw) and the set-screw just holds it in place. If the fit is loose, the set-screw will drive the mill off-center, and it won't turn a concentric cut with the axis of the spindle. I haven't had anyone tell me so, but all the good machinists I've been around use R8 collets holding the mills... and I suspect there's a universal reason... perhaps it's just economy?
In addition to Jeff's suggestion, Travers.com is a good source. Smaller tooling (M2, as well as some R8 and MT3) can be had from
www.littlemachineshop.com and
www.use-enco.com. So far, it appears that Enco keeps the lowest prices on both imported and domestically-manufactured tooling. As well as carrying the imported stuff, Travers and MSC have high-zoot stuff.
Today, I ordered a Phase II toolpost in BXA for the Monarch, a set of 13 R-18 collets, a collet holder, and a bed clamp-kit for the Bridgeport... my hope is that the stuff is enough for me to get the machines running and tooled-up enough to be functional, so I can get the other odds-and-ends done. Like a dummy, I found a new home for my little Atlas before having these machines functioning. (Duhp!)
Next on the list- boring bars, a boring head and R8 arbor, a fly-cutter or three, an MT2 tang with drill chuck (for lathe and M-head drilling), some MT2 drawbar collets for the M-head, and something else that I'm having trouble remembering right now...
(Message edited by dkamp on February 01, 2005)