First face mill cutter - need advise on SE_N inserts

[ETChipotle]

I just bought my first Face mill on ebay. I was excited that I got it delivered to my door for under $22.00.

The face mill was advertised as a Toolmex 6-924-002, and it does look like the one on the Toolmex web site.

http://www.toolmex.com/Products/cust...emid=6-924-002

Toolmex's description says SEK-D3.00-1.00-6-4HD, 3 Inch 45 Degree Arbor Mounted Face Mill With Shim Seats for SE_N 42 Style Inserts

Here are my pictures:




Can anyone give advise as to what they think this cutter is good for, and what inserts to purchase? I'd like to get a set that can cut steel as well as aluminum, and I'm not sure if I should get two sets of inserts for different applications or one good set that works for most kinds of metal.

My intention was to use it for facing, but since I bought it, I may as well use it for whatever it can do.

I've considered buying some cheaper inserts on ebay just to try the thing out and make sure it works well. But then again all I read here on cnczone indicates that the good ones are the way to go.

[PixMan]

The link you posted does list most of the inserts that fit it. You just have to choose an insert size tolerance, top form geometry (chipbreaker or none), coating, grade and edge prep that matches the work you wish to do.

I have a couple of similar Widia cutters that take the thicker SEEN/SEAN/SEKN 43 or 1204 size inserts, and the cutters work well. Yours doesn't have as much of a secure seat and clamp for the insert, but as long as you don't push it really hard you'll be OK.




You can get one insert in particular which would the thinner version of the one I like best. It's an insert made by Valenite that has a nice chipbreaker in the top side of the insert, and in a grade that I've used for everything from aluminum to hardened steels. If that one interests you, you can get it from Carbide Depot, MSC, or any of myriad other authorized Walter Valenite distributors.

It is: SEER 42 AFER grade 5020, edp#23136 Link: http://www.carbidedepot.com/detail.aspx?ID=68017

Insert looks like this: