Mill Chuck and spindle ???

[Alain M-D]

Hello !
I think to buy a mini mill, but I have some
questions about the Spindle and chuck because I know
anything about them...

The model of mini-mill I think to buy come with MT-3 spindle taper
with 1/2 inch drill chuck. Can I use this chuck with end mill ?

Some peoples recommend to use a collet or end mill holder instead
of the chuck. Why ? It is only to save time (quickest to change bits
than a chuck) or a collet give a better precision ?

It is the first thing to buy (with vise, parallel and end mill) or I can
wait a little to buy ?

Thanks for your help !

Alain

 

[jhiggins]

Alain,

Many people have the mini-mills with the MT-3 spindle, and there is tooling for them out there. I recommend changing the spindle to R-8, which is a lot cheaper to buy tooling in that size. R-8 is also much more available than MT-3. You can buy a replacement spindle at LittleMachineShop.com, plus all the goodies for your new mill. Their price for a replacement spindle is very reasonable.

 

[Alain M-D]

Ok, R8 are cheapest than MT3, ok, but, it is possible to use the
drill chuck or I absolutly have to buy a collet or end mill holder ?
What is the pro or con to use them ?

You can buy a replacement spindle at LittleMachineShop.com

I would like to keept the cost as low as possible to start.
(and buy other accessories like vise and end mill)
If I replace yhe spindle for a R-8, I also have to buy a collet or
end mill holder...
It is this product to convert MT3 to R8:http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=1944

Thanks !

Alain

 

[Don Robinson]

You can't use an end mill in a drill chuck because it will deflect sideways and the end mill will come out of the chuck.

Take jeff's advise and buy a mini-mill with an R8 spindle.

You will need a chuck with R8 shank, and a set of cheap R8 collets.