Source for 1/8 endmills (and other small ones also

[kf2qd]

I am neding some 1/8 endmills and not wanting to pay a high price for something I know I am going to break (dmb thumbs on the CNC...).

I got my last batch from a vendor at NAMES a few years back and have managed to bust the last one. Those I got for a buck a piece (plus the drive from South Bend) but as I now live down in the Rio Grande Valley I don't have a replacement source.

Anyone have any likely sources?

Thanks

 

[mklotz]

Always check with ENCO...

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=941084&PMAKA=320-0510

$2.50 a piece.

 

[Blogwitch]

I have been using these for a while now, takes about 10 days for delivery.

http://richontools.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15&zenid=09747339dacb360f307466bef88d4926

Postage rates go on weight, as he sends by airmail, plus he always marks it up as a gift.


Bogs

 

[mu38&Bg#]

Spend a few extra bucks and get the good stuff. I've had very good luck with Kyocera Dataflute series. Don't bother with anything but 2 flutes, though I got some three flute recently from a US manufacturer that are pretty good.

If you Ebay, there are a few sellers that always have some decent brands available at good prices.

 

[tel]

I second Bogs' recommendation - remarkably good quality at throw away prices and reasonable delivery times even unto the wilds of Oz.

 

[Lakc]

I didnt think the wilds of OZ were that far from China. ;D

1/8 is small, but still stocked by most machine tool dealers anywhere. I bought a 12pack of assorted 1/16-2.0mm carbide ones that are commonly used in circuit board manufacture, for only a few dollars. You can find those on ebay or sometimes the local discount tool store, as they are popular with the dremel crowd.

 

[Blogwitch]

One thing to realise about bits that are smaller than about 1/8" and especially carbide.

Even the slightest bit out of track on your cutter holder, too little spindle speed, too heavy a cut or feed speed and you will end up throwing them away.
People always blame their cutters, never themselves. I can count on one hand how many small cutters I have broken in the last year, in fact the last two years. Most of those small bit breakages were caused by not cleaning the swarf away fast enough as I was cutting.

After having used the cheapo Chinese ones now for well over a year, I can't find any difference in the cutting quality at all. In fact, the ball nosed cutters are better, purely because they are very long reach compared to normal priced ones.


Bogs

 

[don-tucker]

Get all mine from e-bay,even 1/16",as long as they are new they are OK,good price to.
Don

 

[Deanofid]

You're in the U.S. Do what Marv says; Enco. Get Atrax if you want good ones. Get no-name if you
don't care.

Dean

 

[spuddevans]

I second Bogs' recommendation - remarkably good quality at throw away prices and reasonable delivery times even unto the wilds of Oz.

And I third Bogs' recommendation, I have bought a few orders of endmills and other cutters from richon, and find them perfectly adequate.


Tim

 

[tel]

and you will end up throwing them away.

Go wash yer mrf out Bogs! They still make dandy toolbits.