[cwtoyota]

I'm in the market for some BT-40 tool holders and some retention studs.

I am getting ready to outfit a Kuraki VMC and I need some suggestions on quality tool holders and retention studs.

I want a set or two of ER32 collets and a few holders to start off with.
Also I would like a 5/8" or 3/4" drill chuck for, well, drilling.
Possibly a keyless chuck in the 1/2" range.
Seems like a few 1/2" and 3/8" endmill holders for roughing would be good too.


Any brands I should look for?

Command? Lyndex? Gem? etc?

Any brands or sellers to avoid?
Is that stuff like "Bison" on ebay that seems too cheap to be real made in china? is it something I should avoid?


This is my first cnc (although I used to program and run them for a living), and I am just a guy with a garage, so keep in mind I don't have an endless budget, but I would like to have good quality. Please give me the rundown from good to bad and pointers on where to look for a decent deal. I've been away from machining for about 10 years now, so I really don't know who makes what anymore.

Thanks in advance for helping out.

[rowbare]

Check out Galcern tools http://www.glacern.com/ and Maritool http://www.maritool.com/ both have good reputations here.

For due diligence, do a forum search on each of them.

bob

[cwtoyota]

Thanks, I'm checking them out now.