Sourcing HSS Slot drills,end mills, T-slot etc etc

This topic has 12 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 28 September 2013 at 19:51 by Sub Mandrel.

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27 September 2013 at 21:46 #130855
SteveI
Participant
@stevei
Hi,

With reference to the never ending debate about quality and country of origin I am looking for some advice regarding sourcing HSS slot drills and end mills.

I have a few threaded shank new old stock clarkson, dormer etc all uk made and a small and medium R8 Clarkson auto lock chuck. What I have today is very limited and a mixture of metric and imperial. I am looking to invest in what I need to work my way from raw novice to beginner and onwards. I am following MEW back issue articles such as those by Harold Hall and mostly attempting to make myself small items of tooling.

I'd like to invest in good quality cutting tools, and plan in the longer term on learning to re-sharpen them. I don't have access to anything close to affordable next day delivery from any suppliers so the idea of buying tools I can resharpen appeals to me. I have access to T&C grinder. Note that I have some indexable tip end mills to provide the time buffer whilst I learn the resharpening and to be used on hard skinned castings etc,

What do people recommend, source more new old stock? If so what brands? Or buy brand new from certain brands/suppliers? I have found that when looking at new old stock some offers are not as sharp as others… Should I target throw away cutters and ditch resharpening?

I appreciate that is a lot of questions and perhaps I am most interested in peoples opinion of good quality slot drills and end mills. I don't anticipate much more than ~25mm / 1" diamters will be needed.

Thanks,

Steve
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27 September 2013 at 21:46 #6888
SteveI
Participant
@stevei
28 September 2013 at 07:31 #130870
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
For most things below 10mm-3/8" I use the three flute disposables, usually Hertel when J&L have them on special which is most of the time. The sales flyer can be viewed on their site as can their main catalogue but its worth getting one sent to you.

Above that then either Hertel or Dormer also from J&L for best.

I also use cheap cutters from Richon in Hong Kong which can be regarded as disposable and you don't mind taking the edge off them if you hit a hard spot in a casting

Cutwell are also worth looking at.

J
28 September 2013 at 09:14 #130878
Douglas Johnston
Participant
@douglasjohnston98463
Private sellers on ebay can be a good source of milling cutters (the commercial "buy it now" listings rarely give a quality bargain) and I have had quite a few good quality buys this way. You have to be selective however, since there is plenty of rubbish out there. Tipped cutters have there uses, but are no good for a lot of work, so it is not possible to rely on them for most work.

Doug
28 September 2013 at 09:20 #130879
Phil P
Participant
@philp
I use Kirgeng M.E. Services for most of my small cutting tools. His stock is all good quality mostly British made like Dormer, Presto, Clarkson etc. Often you can choose between new or good second hand items. His postage rates are not a rip off either.

Give him a ring on 01509 672025, and ask him to post you a catalogue.

He normally has a stand at Harrogate and Midlands exhibitions as well.

Phil

Edited By Phil P on 28/09/2013 09:21:53
28 September 2013 at 10:08 #130882
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I don't think Dormer have been British MADE for some time, looking at mine

Drills – Brazil

Milling cutters – Italy

Taps – Sweeden

Likely to be the same case with teh other brands.
28 September 2013 at 10:25 #130885
Ex contributor
Participant
@mgnbuk
We use mainly coated 3 flute long series HSS cutters from Cutwel at work. I believe that these are South Korean in origin. We don't have cutters under 25mm reground, as the regrind cost is more than new cutters (don't have regrinding facilities "in house" ).. On occasions we have used their solid carbide cutters & generally use their inserts. J&L have tried to tempt me to use them, but they have been unable to supply anything like the Cutwel tools we use & their prices for lower spec. offerings is always more than Cutwel.

Cutwel's service is excellent, most items are ex-stock & are shipped the same day as ordered. Delivery is RM for small items, next day courier for bigger orders. It is worth getting on the e-mail list, as they regularly have "Buy two get one free" limited period offers.

Edited By JasonB on 28/09/2013 12:40:32
28 September 2013 at 11:21 #130888
Phil P
Participant
@philp
Posted by JasonB on 28/09/2013 10:08:46:

I don't think Dormer have been British MADE for some time, looking at mine

Drills – Brazil

Milling cutters – Italy

Taps – Sweeden

Likely to be the same case with teh other brands.

Jason

I think most of Kirjeng's stuff is "old stock" from stores clearance sales etc. So more likely to be decent quality.

I have never had a problem with anything bought from them.

Phil
28 September 2013 at 12:39 #130897
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
The new stuff is still quality just made to a good spec not a budget price.

J
28 September 2013 at 15:52 #130914
SteveI
Participant
@stevei
All,

Many thanks for the replies. You have educated me about a few new suppliers. One last question if I may, when reading old articles from MEW "throw away" cutters are often mentioned and seldom in a complimentary way. Are they much better now?

Thanks,

Steve
28 September 2013 at 16:13 #130915
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Yes provide you don't buy really cheap un-named ones.

There is also nothing to stop you resharpening them its just that in commercial use its not cost effective to do so.

Edited By JasonB on 28/09/2013 16:14:12
28 September 2013 at 17:26 #130918
Rik Shaw
Participant
@rikshaw
We have just sold our static caravan in Weymouth and therefore will not be regulars there in the future. So if you come from that neck of the woods I don't mind revealing my secret supplier.

Dave the tool bloke at the Wednesday market in Dorchester sells a lot of second hand tools and some new as well. I have stocked up my workshop over the years buying stuff from him – and blokes like him.

If you pay him a visit give him my regards and tell him the tall bloke with a grey beard sent you.

Rik
28 September 2013 at 19:51 #130924
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
With very small FC3 /throwaway cutters you could break a lot regardless of quality – I just did a count up: 11 intact ones, 8 broken ones, the latter all <1/8" or 3mm

Neil
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