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Well, I'm starting at a shop which wants to get into machining to make their own parts.

They are buying a VF1, but we need everything to go along with it

I've put together a bit of a list, please feel free to add any suggestions!

-One good vise
-Full set of Parralels
-Z depth gauge
-Dial indicator
-Coolant (milling mostly 6061, what coolant to use?)

As for the tooling, I'm not to certain.

Probably start off with just a few HSS end mills. A face mill with some carbide inserts, and a good full set of drill bits.

[intelsingh]

Get a Renishaw Probing System..it helps in the long run..!

[SRT Mike]

Tool holders (generic set - maybe 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1" endmill holders, couple of collet holders, then buy what you need when you need)

Some mills and an indexable face mill is not a bad idea.

Rack to hold tool holders

Calipers to measure the parts

T-nuts and studs

Stock

See what's on the machine and you may need air hose and an air gun

As for coolant, I've heard good and bad about most of them out there. We use Valenite ValCool VNT-785 undyed. I called Valenite and they recommended this cooland. Its about $90 for a 5-gal jug and you mix it to about 5%, so 5-gal gets you 100-gallons mixed. I would pick a brand you're comfortable with then call them to get a recommendation.