Machining
Machining is a process in which material is removed from a workpiece to shape or finish it into a desired form. Drilling, holemaking, milling, turning, and threading tools are attached to compatible machinery such as a lathes, drill presses, or CNC machines to perform machining operations on the workpiece. The workpiece is typically a piece of raw material, sheets or rolls of stock, or an existing part, and the machine setup is typically guided by the type of material being worked on and the amount of material to be removed from the workpiece. Machine tool accessories, metalworking fluids, toolholders, precision measuring tools, and other supplies support the machining operation for optimal results.
PRODUCT SUB CATEGORIES
Cutting Tool Blanks
Cutting Tool Blanks
Cutting tool blanks are used to create custom tools for metalworking operations. Holemaking and drill bit blanks are metal rods that are machined to create custom drill bits or cutting tools with precise dimensions or features. Also known as drill rods, drill bit blanks are also used to check the size of a drilled hole or to create gauges, drifts, punches, rollers, locating pins, spindles, and knockout pins. Slit-end blanks are machined to create custom engraving tools and cutting tools. Tool blanks are formed into custom tool bits for pressings, forgings, castings, and similar applications.
Drilling and Holemaking
Drilling and Holemaking
Drilling and holemaking tools create and finish holes in a workpiece. Drill bits remove material from a workpiece to make a hole. Reamers enlarge, smooth, or contour an existing hole in a workpiece for a precise fit when installing fasteners or other parts. Counterbores, countersinks, chamfering tools, and porting tools contour the hole to accommodate fasteners and other parts. Extensions, bushings, guides, and other accessories may be used with the tools to help boost efficiency and hole quality in drilling and holemaking tasks. Drill bit sharpeners and storage cases and cabinets help keep tools organized and ready for use.
Drilling and Holemaking
Finishing Supplies
Finishing Supplies
Finishing supplies are used in machining applications to achieve a desired finish on a workpiece. They include carbide burs, which leave a smooth finish on a variety of metals.
Indexable Inserts
Indexable Inserts
Indexable inserts are used to form a cutting edge on indexable tools. When one edge on an insert becomes dull, the insert can be rotated to expose a fresh cutting edge. The inserts can be installed, removed, and rotated without disturbing the tools’ setup. Turning inserts are used for turning operations on a CNC machine or lathe. Holemaking inserts and spade drill inserts create holes in a workpiece in drilling operations. Milling inserts are used to create features on a workpiece with a CNC machine or milling machine. Threading inserts create threads in turning operations. Parting, grooving, and cutoff inserts create grooves in a workpiece, separate sections of a workpiece, or cut off material from a workpiece.
Indexable Inserts
Indexable Tools
Indexable Tools
Indexable tools are used for boring, drilling, grooving, milling, threading, and turning operations. They accept compatible indexable inserts that provide a cutting edge on the tool. When one edge on an insert becomes dull, the insert can be rotated to expose a fresh cutting edge. Inserts can be installed, removed, and rotated on the tools without disturbing the tools’ setup.
Lathe Tool Posts and Tool Holders
Lathe Tool Posts and Tool Holders
Lathe tool posts and lathe tool post holders minimize the time it takes to change tools on a lathe between machining operations such as boring, grooving, and knurling. They also reduce the need to use shims and additional accessories when setting up a lathe. Tool posts secure and position tool post holders on a lathe. Tool post holders attach to a compatible tool post and hold lathe tools at a specific angle when machining a workpiece on a lathe.
Lathe Tool Posts and Tool Holders
Machine Tool Accessories
Machine Tool Accessories
Machine tool accessories facilitate machining tasks. Drill extensions can access tight areas and hard-to-reach spots during drilling tasks. Box parallels keep work parallel or raised at a level where it can be reached by cutting tools. 4-way parallels are used inside of a vice to lift a workpiece higher for milling, drilling, and grinding applications. Angle plates and angle irons stabilize parts during machining tasks to prevent movement or distortion. Cam handles allow parts to be fastened and unfastened without using tools in operations where the parts only have to be loosened. Chuck keys tighten and loosen drill chucks when installing and removing bits from the chuck. Chuck key holders securely attach a chuck key to the cord of a hand drill to help prevent the key from getting lost. Collets hold tools in place on drills, milling machines, and lathes. Detent, lock, pop, and plunger pins prevent spindles, axles, wheels, or machine accessories from moving during machining tasks.
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery is used to create finished parts in machining tasks. Milling machines progressively remove material from workpieces to create features on the workpieces. Drilling machines create holes in workpieces. Lathes remove material from rotating workpieces to shape and size them and to add features such as threads. Grinding and buffing machines help sharpen or soften edges, polish or smooth surfaces, and shape material. 3D printers deposit thin layers of material on top of each other to create simple or complex 3D objects. Fabrication machinery is used to punch, form, bend, and press heavy gauge metals. Downdraft tables have built-in suction and ventilation that help keep work areas free of fumes, smoke, and dust.
Machinery
Machining Supplies
Machining Supplies
Machining supplies are used to create, remove, protect, and hold tools, parts, and fasteners in machining tasks. Coatings and wraps protect tools and parts from humidity, corrosion, scale, oxidation, and other damaging elements. Drill drifts remove taper mount chucks and taper shank tools from machines. Live and dead centers support workpieces on a lathe. Punch and die sets can be used to make custom washers, gaskets, and shims. Screw and bolt extractors and nut splitters remove rusted, stripped, or stuck fasteners.
Metalworking Fluids
Metalworking Fluids
Metalworking fluids help improve accuracy and prevent damage to workpieces during machining tasks. Cutting and grinding fluids cool and lubricate parts as they’re being machined, ground, or milled. Layout fluids create a contrasting background that clearly shows scribed lines on workpieces and reduces glare to improve accuracy during machining. Staining colors are used to cover superficial scratches and mark parts for color coding or inventory purposes.
Metalworking Fluids
Milling
Milling
Milling is a machining process in which a rotating milling tool removes material from the surface of a piece of stock. It is used to create parts with a wide range of shapes and features, such as pockets and slots. Milling tools are installed on a CNC (computer numerical control) or manually controlled milling machine to perform milling tasks. End mills have cutting edges on their nodes and sides and are used to create parts with complex shapes and profiles. Thread mills form internal and external threads on existing holes. Keyseat cutters create grooves in shafts for mating keyed parts to the shafts. Mold and die milling tools have tapered sides and are used for creating molds and dies. Engraving tools are used to cut letters, numbers, and designs on parts. Router bits remove material from workpieces to create decorative edges and other features
Precision Measuring Tools
Precision Measuring Tools
Precision measuring tools help maintain quality control on the production floor. Calipers measure the distance between two opposite sides of a part. Gages measure height, width, angle, radius, thickness, and other specific dimensions on parts. Micrometers measure extremely short distances, such as the thickness of a piece of sheet metal. Gauge blocks can be used to measure distances between parallel surfaces and to verify the accuracy of micrometers and other measuring tools. Adjustable parallels securely hold workpieces in a vise or clamp during machining operations. Indicators are used to amplify and measure small distances and angles, ensure accuracy of manufacturing for quality control, set up machines for production, or take precise measurements for a variety of applications. Durometers measure the elasticity of materials. Edge and center finders help users find spindle centers and working points on drill presses and milling machines during setup.
Precision Measuring Tools
Machining Replacement Parts
Machining Replacement Parts
Machining replacement parts include a variety of components for replacing worn or damaged parts on machining equipment.
Shop Supplies
Shop Supplies
Machine shop supplies include products for maintaining parts and equipment in a machine shop. Oil skimmers remove floating oils from coolant sumps and parts washers. Wire baskets hold parts for storage, degreasing, cleaning, dipping, curing, and material-handling applications. Tool sharpeners keep knives, axes, scissors, shears, and other bladed tools sharp. Coolant tanks, mixers, chillers, vacuums, and spray systems are used to maintain coolant systems for metalworking tasks
Shop Supplies
Threading
Threading
Threading products create precision threads on new stock or stripped hardware. Die sets are used for creating external threads in a variety of standard sizes on parts. Tap and die sets are used for restoring or creating internal or external threads in a variety of standard sizes on parts. Drill bit and tap sets are used for drilling, tapping, and deburring materials such as mild steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and plastic. Thread mills feature single profile, straight, and flute designs to create internal, external, and helical threads. Tap and die wrenches are used to turn taps and dies in threading tasks.
Tool Holders and Accessories
Tool Holders and Accessories
Tool holders and accessories connect bits and tooling with compatible machinery. Collet chucks apply 360° clamping force to securely hold tooling in lathes, grinders, and milling machines. Holders secure drills, end mills, face mills, rotary broaches, shell mills, spade blades, taper shanks, and shrink-fit tools onto machines.
Tool Holders and Accessories
Turning Tools
Turning Tools
Turning tools are used on lathes and CNC machines to shape a rotating workpiece or create threads and other features on it. As the workpiece rotates, the turning tool remains fixed or is moved gradually to remove material from the workpiece.
PRODUCT CATEGORIES
