I've ran Bridgeports all my life. You are limited with the four flute end mills. Next time you order any endmills, order 2 flutes. A two flute won't load up like a four flute will. Also chances are that the four flutes that you ordered aren't center cuts. That means you will have to drill a hole before plunging down into a piece. With a two flute you can plunge cut.
You need to have a set of angle plates, 45 degrees, and a 30-60 degree. They will come in a set.
You will need a Sine Bar, normally a 5" along with some gage blocks. This will let you set up at any angle you need.
If your Bridgeport isn't a CNC, then you need a Rotary Table, preferably a 12" rotary table. This will let you cut a radius on parts.
Table bolts, clamps, nuts, and serrated blocks. These normally come in a sett and you can get them for around $50.
Drill chucks with a 1/2" shank. Get two sizes of drill chucks with the arbors that have a Jacobs Taper that fit the chuck and not screw in arbors. You want one chuck that goes from 0-1/4" and another that goes from 1/4"-3/8" or 1/2". By having a 1/2" shank, you will be using collets quite a bit. The 1/2" is the most common collet you will use, so with the drill chucks on a 1/2" collet it saves from backing things clear out then putting them in. Just a couple of turns of the arbor and a tap and you can swap from a chuck to an endmill.
When you get some extra coin pick up a few carbide endmills. They will get you through steel that has hard spots. But you have to remember that carbide is very brittle and can be broke easier than a standard endmill. But having some various sizes have taken out many broken taps for me.
You need an indicator. This will be to tram in the head of your mill. If you get one, get one that has a 0-.030-0 sweep to it.
You will need a set of parallel bars. They come in a set and normally go from 3/8" in height to 1 1/2" in height. You need these to set parts on in a vise.
You will need a book of Sine tables. You can either download it, purchase one, or it will be in a Machinery's Handbook. You need this to set up a Sine Bar for setting different angles.
Then of course, drill bits and taps along with a chart showing what drill you need for what size of tap you are going to use.
There is more but that is basically some necessities to get you going. When it comes to purchasing some items, keep an eye out for deals. You can pick up a lot on CL, but need to watch whether ones are trying to gouge or not. A good place to get things are Enco and MSC. End mills can be bought for a few bucks vs. spending big dollars. The same with taps. Don't invest in any four flute taps. When you buy a tap, get two flute gun taps or two flute plug taps. These will give you the most chip clearance. Four flute taps have gotten people in a bind because they will break and bind up, especially the smaller taps.
Try NOT to buy taps and endmills online through a private party. Chances are that they are dull and will just get you into trouble. They can be bought new through different companies cheap. If you watch how you use them a cheap $5 endmill will last just as long as a higher brand $50 endmill.
You also will need an edge finder. A General edge finder will suffice. But when you get one buy two. One is a 3/8" diameter shank with a .200 tip. The other is a 1/2" shank with a 1/2" tip. These are needed to find the exact edge of your part.
As you become more and more advanced on using the mill, you'll find out what else you will need. If you want, I can send you some photos of what I have in my box and it will give you some kind of idea. Or send me a PM and I can walk you through anything you need to know, either by PM or by Cell.
OccupantRJ is a machinist that will keep your hands from getting wrapped up in the spindle. I have a lot of respect for his word.
One thing you may want to know though.....Once you start machining, it is VERY addictive. I know that you have a ride in the garage, so you are going to be buying some aluminum to dress it up. Search out your local scrap yard and start picking up some square or rectangle stock. There are a lot of places that you can get materials online. Shop wisely. Either the prices are high with great shipping, or the prices are great and you'll get raped on shipping. So do some searches, or post on here what you are looking for. Someone will be sure to let you know where they get their material from.
And be sure you check the Fabrication Forum down below as there are quite a few great machinist, toolmakers, or general garage machinist that will be more than willing to help.
26th edition pdf files
