equiping a new 3-in-1

[ShayArnett]

I got a 3-in-1 machine this christmas, its a HF 5980 model without power feed and thread cutting capabilities.

I need to get some basic tooling so I can start making chips and attempting to build something that looks like a cnc router

I plan on getting a bench grinder somewhere and learning to grind my own lathe tools for now, so I will be getting some 3/8" hss blanks for that. I'm gonna skip a qctp for now till I can get some more cash, which isn't a big deal since the toolpost can hold 4 tools, I can shim them once and leave them for now. I have a dead center, and a drill chuck so other than the tool blanks, I have enough to get started with it.

I have some drill bits and a few other various tools, but no measuring equipment, and no endmills or ways to hold them for that matter.
The milling spindle is a MT2 taper, and I am leaning towards collets for holding the endmills, I can get a set fairly cheap off ebay. Does the drawbar just pull the collet into the taper to close it, or do I need a collet holder? Thats where I'm lost.
I think I will just get a couple endmills in 1/8" 1/4" and 1/2" sizes while I'm learning, and pickup more as I need them, maybe 2 of each size in 2 and 4 flute hss versions. Will hss be ok for just playing around with nylon, and maybe some light cuts in aluminum and brass?

I have a measuring instrument kit picked out from enco that should get me going.

If you have any answers to my questions or see something where I am terribly wrong please let me know, I haven't a clue about what I'm doing and have this big Enco catalog staring at me.

Thanks

[eums]

i am getting back into it so i could be off but ...


HSS will ok cutting nylon, alu, and brass
You may want to get a MT2 collet set, i have never used MT2 only R8 so i know little about it. but you don't want to mill in a drill chuck.

I would recomend looking on E-bay for things, but only if you know what your looking for. i am buying the last bits of tools i need from e-bay. you can get amazing deals if you know what your looking for and you know what shape it should be in and what to ask the seller. ( say your looking for a micrometer, one thing to look for would be carbide tips, another would be a brand name ie: Mitutoyo, Starrett, Peacock, etc)

Just do some research find a brand you like, its like any tool, some people like snapon, some like mac, some craftsman. it all depends. and some people jsut have a bunch of every thing and there is nothing wrong with that.

Buy it once though. It's no fun if you buy a tool and later you see that its a POS and you have to rebuy the tool again.

[ShayArnett]

Please if anyone can clarify how the collets work for me so I can get them ordered or look for something else I would appreciate it, I just ordered a measuring kit, lathe tool blanks, a set of endmills, a set of center drills, and a 5" vise, and I'm going to get a workbench and grinder today, and move my machine into the house soon.

I need to know if the collets are threaded for a drawbar, does the drawbar just pull it up into the taper in the spindle to close it or do I still need a collet holder of some type.

Thanks

[eums]

you can go here to see what the collets look like

http://www.lathemaster.com/MT2COLLETSET.htm

MT2 is going to be an odd size and going to be one of the more expensive ones.

the drawbar draws the collet into the spindle taper. as you tighten it, the collet makes contact with the taper. Inturn putting pressure on the end mill/bit to hold it in place.

A collet has more surface area and will hold a bit better than a chuck.

And just so you don't get the wrong ones, these are the ones you should not get
3MT: this is close to the #2 mores taper but they won't fit correctly if you get them. http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...ProductID=2023

R8: http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...ProductID=1604

R8 is what bigger machines use(most common maybe bridgeport ?), its a little more common, it has less engagement in the spindle but also comes out of the machine easyer.

[ShayArnett]

the drawbar draws the collet into the spindle taper. as you tighten it, the collet makes contact with the taper. Inturn putting pressure on the end mill/bit to hold it in place.

that would have done it I was already looking at the set from lathemaster, but wasn't sure if i needed a collet holder as well

Thanks for answer

[captainlee]

Shay. I OWN ONE OF THESE BEASTS AND LOVE IT
Why are you wanting collets when what you need is a end mill holder for the mill? end mill holders renge in price from $10.00 forign to $25-$50 us.

you need 1/2 and 3/8 maby 1/4 with a drawbar threded metric tappered end mt2 go to the 3 in 1 lathe mill drill yahoo group for more info on the
t 5980 HF GOOD LUCK CAP.