Have a small CNC mill (Servo Products) and need to pick up some end mills to get started and learn. I see Interstate end mills cheap at Enco but have also read a lot of negative comments. But since I expect to break some getting started maybe I don't need to go with something more expensive. I understand that cheapest purchase price isn't the cheapest if it wears out/breaks sooner and don't want to go with something super cheap that I have to fight with. Thinking I should get several 1/4" end mills to get started, perhaps a few with ball ends and/or V cutters to chamfer the top edges of cuts. Collet is 1/4". Most of my milling will be smaller once I get a bit of experience. Looking for a source of decent (mid-level) quality end mills at a good price. What brands/suppliers/specific items should I be looking at?
Also, what about material to cut? Was thinking aluminum but that may be more difficult to machine than steel, especially some types. Suppose I could even do wood or plastic to start... Whatever is easy to work with and fairly cheap.
Looking for some tips to get started while I learn the whole CAD/CAM/milling tool chain.