Milling cutters

[George JervisParticipant @georgejervis86082]

Hi everyone
I’m fairly new to milling, I’ve recently brought a Ajax Halifax small horizontal milling machine I’m restoring it to use. Would anyone be able to advise what sort of cutters would be best to buy for a beginner please size diameter etc? The mill came with 1 cutter 3mm wide and 4″diameter and very rusty,I’m looking to make T nuts and individual tool post holders for my raglan little John lathe to start with. I’m looking for any advise and help please.
Many thanks
George

[George JervisParticipant @georgejervis86082]

Milling machine

[Anonymous]

First I'd measure the arbor to see if it is imperial or metric. Then I'd go on Ebay and look for side and face cutters. A selection 3-4" diameter and from 1/4" to 1" wide would be ideal. It is possible to buy S&F cutters new, but they're very expensive and pretty much obsolete in industry. I've bought almost all my horizontal milling cutters secondhand, or new old stock, on Ebay. As with all items on Ebay these days there are a lot of fantasists selling cutters for inflated prices, but there are still bargains to be had. I wouldn't pay more than £10 for a cutter as listed above. Look carefully at any picture for worn, broken or damaged teeth. If present, move on and buy something else.

Andrew

[George JervisParticipant @georgejervis86082]

Hi everyone,
I’ve managed to get I good collection of various size cutters now for my Ajax horizontal mill.my question is When the cutters go dull what would be the best way to sharpen them?
George

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Ordinarily a tool and cutter grinder….,,but the cost is prohibitive to us mere mortals…so depending on the type of cutter you have, you might consider a regrind service…

A bit more info on the types you have might get a better answer…

[Anonymous]

The bad news is that to sharpen them correctly you need a proper tool and cutter grinder. The good news is that a basic Clarkson with centres will do the job of sharpening the face of the cutter. The sides are less important.

Andrew

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Or find someone close to you that has a T&C grinder.

Brian

[George JervisParticipant @georgejervis86082]

Hi everyone,

The cutters I have are these type

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Yep….defo a job for a t n c grinder….not something you can do with an off hand grinder/dremel/anglegrinder etc

[Mick HenshallParticipant @mickhenshall99321]

Harold Hall has a design for a jig on his website and you tube, I made one and use on a normal bench grinder, you don't need an expensive toolgrinder

Mick

[Mick HenshallParticipant @mickhenshall99321]

I should add the jig I mention would sharpen the plain cutters shown in your photo George

Mick

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, the top two cutters look like they've been resharpened a good few time already.

Andrew

[Author]

Posts