A Few End Mills

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I've been researching a for a few end mills for a starter kit. Seems as the prices are a little wild. Anywhere from $3.50 for something like a 3/8th end mill to $13.00 in the HSS types. I've never been a cobalt or carbide guy for my own strange reasons but I'm curious as to tell what might be a good end mill without using a low price=bad, higher price=good gage? Or can I assume that a 13 dollar USA is worth the bucks vs a three fifty import? Here's and example: Non centering, 4 flute, 3/8" mill, 3/8" shank, HSS, Made in USA, standard length== $9.80. Is that close?? I've been using Machine Shop Discount Supply (msdiscount.com) as a referrence only because their site is easy to negotiate and it looks like the inventory is massive. I'd post a link but they like to set cookies right off the get go and some of you guys wouldn't care for that.  Appreciate it.
Reply:What material are you cutting? This will dictate wheather 4 flutes or 2 flutes will be used. Aluminum likes 2 flutes, but there are some 4 flutes for aluminum. There are also spiral fluted for aluminum, just depends on how deep you are cutting and what SFM you like to use. Also, is this for use on a manual machine or a CNC machine? I like the TIN coated ones myself, preferably Weldon brand, but they do cost more, but they last longer. You get what you pay for, and the US brands will always be better and last longer. At this shop I managed, someone bought some Chinese end mills, and boy, what a mistake. None of them were sharpened properly, the flutes had the eliefs going in the wrong direction, basically junk, but the box they came in was real nice. I'll look through my box and see what I have and make a ecommendation based on that. The ones in my box are mostly US brands that I have had for years and I have cared for them well and they have always worked well for me.Tony
Reply:Thanks for checking Tony. You're not going to see me milling anything that requires any real precision, anything out of the mild steel category, or anything that requires a mirror finish.   I see slotted holes, squaring up and fitted pieces, things like that. I am definitely not against the costs of a good American made bit at all. What I am against is glamorous marketing makes only for a dart throw at quality. Something labeled as a "Superior import" could be a true low cost superior import or a cheap bit imported by a company named "Superior".  Aluminum work isn't high on my list but I'd like to not be caught flat footed if I wanted to do some scrubby job.
Reply:In the real small sizes I would go with the imports for a while till you get the " feel " of small cutters.  Wasting a $10 0r $15 end mill won't ruin your day at most certainally won't put a  on your face.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyThanks for checking Tony. You're not going to see me milling anything that requires any real precision, anything out of the mild steel category, or anything that requires a mirror finish.   I see slotted holes, squaring up and fitted pieces, things like that. I am definitely not against the costs of a good American made bit at all. What I am against is glamorous marketing makes only for a dart throw at quality. Something labeled as a "Superior import" could be a true low cost superior import or a cheap bit imported by a company named "Superior".  Aluminum work isn't high on my list but I'd like to not be caught flat footed if I wanted to do some scrubby job.
Reply:In the real small sizes I would go with the imports for a while till you get the " feel " of small cutters. Wasting a $10 0r $15 end mill won't ruin your day at most certainally won't put a  on your face.
Reply:Take a look at the Enco catalog in their website. It's at www.use-enco.com.They sell both imports and U.S. made items. They haven't fooled me yet. Their stuff is as advertised. I have an Enco 13X40 geared lathe that's been a wonderful tool. I'm in California and Enco has a warehouse in Nevada so I often get items in two days when I order in the morning over the telephone.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyThanks, I think I may. I'll probably quit stradling the fence and just go get one of their sets if they have them and then start the learning curve from there.  Are the self centering some huge advantage??
Reply:I'm not quite sure what you refer to in re "self-centering". End Mills will be centered in the R-8 taper end mill holder (or collet). They will cut where you move them. The only self-centering item I have is a 3 jaw lathe chuck.
Reply:Sandy, all of my end mills are Weldon. Use 2 flure for aluminum, if possible, look for ones that say for aluminum, but if you don't get them, no biggie. 4 flute, center cutting for steel. There are some high quality imports out there and if you get them TiN coated, they will last you. I was under the assumption that they were for a shop and not for personal use. For personal use, the higher end imports or lower priced americans are great, but don't buy Chinese, made in Poland or India - JUNK! Look at the MSC website, that is where I used to buy them for the shop I worked at. I laways bought american, but the have awesome prices on imports as well. Also check JL industrial. They have web specials all the time. If you plan on buying any other shop tools or measuring equipment, PM me, I know some guys that have good used stuff that they may sell, just depends on what you want or need.Tony
Reply:Thanks Tony,And Yeh, I'm a looong ways from a shop. Just and old fart with a few tools . I try to buy American when I can. I'll look at that MSC also. I'll let ya know if I get into the precision measuring arena. No better than I can see detail anymore tools in braille would be more like it. Sheesh, my glasses are like 1997's. Bad shape.
Reply:The center cutting endmills will let you plunge like a drill bit  Non center cutting endmills will only cut on the side of the endmill.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Old time tool and die man told me the best lubricant for cutting aluminum is hand lotion.  Darned if he wasn't right!I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:i like soluable oil and a spray mist set-up...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsteri like soluable oil and a spray mist set-up...zap!
Reply:Around here there are several surplus stores that carry lots of misc mills, taps, dies etc. you may have something like that in your area.Millermatic 251Century 180 migSpectrum 625 Syncrowave 250DX