Recommendations: Good places for a business to purchase Tooling for a 3-axis CNC ?

[Gun-Machine]

I just recently purchased a Tormach 770 (3-axis CNC mill) to use for prototyping and Jig making.

I will be purchasing Tooling from 1/2" End Mills to 1/8" Ball End Mills and anything inbetween.

I saw a nice selection of bits on Grizzly Industrial, however I don't know anything about suppliers of Bits and Tools. I have operated Machinery quite a bit, but never owned my own machine shop or purchased my own tooling.

Anyone have any recommendations for a small business?

Thank you in advance.

[thedave]

MSC and Travers to start. Also buy American or higher end imports. Look for a local tooling supplier. Early on I bought cheap imports, have had to replace most of it.

[MCPservice]

Check with

Vortex Tool: Solid Carbide Router Bits and Compression Spirals for woodworking, plastics and non-ferrous industries.

They will take the time to find out what you cut, spindle hp and what you are looking to achieve when you are cutting.

Speak to Mike Serwa

[Gun-Machine]

Check with

Vortex Tool: Solid Carbide Router Bits and Compression Spirals for woodworking, plastics and non-ferrous industries.

They will take the time to find out what you cut, spindle hp and what you are looking to achieve when you are cutting.

Speak to Mike Serwa

Thank you.
Sounds like a great lead, Since I will be attempting to make some parts out of 4140 (nothing crazy though)

[PixMan]

Be careful.

Vortex's tooling is primarily aimed at those using CNC routers for cutting plastics and wood. You want tooling for METALS, and not the lightweight stuff for aluminum.

The first suggestion was best. Both MSC and Travers Tool are good sources for metalworking tooling, just don't buy their cheapest lines of unnamed "import" sources. MSC's own line of carbide endmills, Accupro, is an example of they might be OK, they might be poor, but they'll rarely be GREAT.

If reliable performance is what you expect, expect to pay for it. Just what do you need?

[Gun-Machine]

Be careful.

Vortex's tooling is primarily aimed at those using CNC routers for cutting plastics and wood. You want tooling for METALS, and not the lightweight stuff for aluminum.

The first suggestion was best. Both MSC and Travers Tool are good sources for metalworking tooling, just don't buy their cheapest lines of unnamed "import" sources. MSC's own line of carbide endmills, Accupro, is an example of they might be OK, they might be poor, but they'll rarely be GREAT.

If reliable performance is what you expect, expect to pay for it. Just what do you need?

I have been looking at travers quite a bit. Good selection.
I will need:
1/8" extended Ball Mill.
1/4" Endmill (not sure of length yet can't be too short though)
1/2" End Mill
30 degree End mill with a cutting length of at least .500
And a few other Assorted Tools and 2 Different Drill bits between .150-.300

All must be capable of Cutting 4140 Alloy Steel.
I will spend more money on quality bits. I used to machine for a company years ago. I understand the value of quality tooling vs. the cheap **** they bought on occasion. This is the first time I am having to order tooling for my own shop though.

The cutting doesn't have to be at a fast rate, since this particular piece is not going to be machined by me on a production level, but more or less just prototyping it.

[datta.ekhe]

aluminium machining help