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Small Facemill

K

kstrauss

Super User
I need a 3-insert, 3/4-inch facemill and found this Accusize unit on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/product-reviews/B018RFU644/

It sounds perfect with a reasonable price plus they have a 10% discount today and promise delivery tomorrow. However, the reviews are all over the place with 75% thinking it is wonderful and 4% saying it is a POS with very poor pockets for the inserts and other problems.

I've been generally happy with Accusize stuff. Any experience on this group with this particular item?
 
U.S. reviews are good, the most negative 3-star was that they received the wrong size (I ignore 1- & 2-star ratings as most of them grip about packaging, or something that they didn’t read).

I have a 1” Accusize with TPG inserts that I like:


IMG_8486.jpeg


And a set of smaller set that uses APKT from LMS:

lmscnc.com

Indexable End Mill Set, 1/2" Shank Square Shoulder 5929

Indexable End Mills 5929 90° square shoulder milling; Cutting Diameters: 3/8", 1/2", and 5/8"; Overall length 3"; Two single flute and one two flute ...
lmscnc.com lmscnc.com

IMG_8487.jpeg
 
I have the Accusize "Northward" version of this. It's a glass blasted silver colour (like the LMS) and only has two blades. I think the one you are looking at has smaller inserts..... Just a wild guess. Mine are APTK and I prolly did that to stay common with my other bigger tools.

Mine works just great.

Don't forget the Accusize discount vs shipping.
 
kstrauss said:
I really want the 3 insert version to provide faster metal removal. I'll order and report back in a week or so.
Click to expand...

Three is prolly better. I just wanted to have all my inserts a common size. My guess is that you will be very happy.
 
kstrauss said:
The facemill was delivered by Amazon this afternoon (15 hours after the order was placed). It came well packaged and with an "INSPESTION REPORT" [sic]. Contrary to some Amazon reviews, the insert pockets and general finish look great. I hope to get some shop time to test things soon.View attachment 54437
Click to expand...
Just noticed this thread.

I bought one of these and sent it back because the Accusize APKT inserts only fit Accusize tools. I already had the “same” tool from Shars and thought the Accusize and Shars (and typical far east) APKT inserts would interchange - no dice so I sent it back.

Accusize was good about it, even sending me a pack of their inserts gratis but I wanted to stock only one format of inserts and I was already invested in the more widely available ones that fit my Shars tool. I bought another Shars tool.

The reason for two tools was I wanted to leave inserts for aluminum on one and steel for the other rather than swapping per job.

FWIW, the Accusize ads showed the more common inserts on their tool but they changed the design and didn’t update the sales images.

D :cool:
 
The description claims to use APKT11t3 inserts and that size is very common on eBay and Amazon so supplies shouldn't be a problem. Fortunately I don't have anything using APKT1003 inserts.
 
Tecnico said:
I bought one of these and sent it back because the Accusize APKT inserts only fit Accusize tools. I already had the “same” tool from Shars and thought the Accusize and Shars (and typical far east) APKT inserts would interchange - no dice so I sent it back.
Click to expand...

This is VERY interesting. I think I can say with some certainty that some of the tool suppliers out there sell tools with specialty inserts in them specifically for the purpose of capturing the insert supply for themselves. Sort of like getting an amazing deal on a laser printer and then paying through the nose for their Fkn ink.

I'm a bit surprised to think Accusize might do this though. I wouldn't have thought they were big enough to pull it off. I've also come to really like their products and their focus on customer satisfaction. I've certainly not had that problem with their face mills. All of my APTK inserts have fit no matter where I sourced them.

I can also agree that any tool that I bought (other than special purpose) that didn't fit the common inserts I have adopted, would be returned and replaced with one that did. There is no way in Hell that I'm gunna get locked into stocking 5 million different types of inserts. It's already bad enough as is.
 
Susquatch said:
This is VERY interesting. I think I can say with some certainty that some of the tool suppliers out there sell tools with specialty inserts in them specifically for the purpose of capturing the insert supply for themselves. Sort of like getting an amazing deal on a laser printer and then paying through the nose for their Fkn ink.

I'm a bit surprised to think Accusize might do this though. I wouldn't have thought they were big enough to pull it off. I've also come to really like their products and their focus on customer satisfaction. I've certainly not had that problem with their face mills. All of my APTK inserts have fit no matter where I sourced them.

I can also agree that any tool that I bought (other than special purpose) that didn't fit the common inserts I have adopted, would be returned and replaced with one that did. There is no way in Hell that I'm gunna get locked into stocking 5 million different types of inserts. It's already bad enough as is.
Click to expand...
At Cabin Fever 2022 I won an auction lot of new Sherline tooling (RT Tailstock, cute little 5/32" keyed chuck with an adjustable back, Steady Rest, and a 55° Boring Bar) kept the tailstock & chuck, sold the steady rest and wasn't successful selling the little boring bar so I kept it, including the one insert. Although Sherline calls this out as a DPMT 21.51, the DPMT inserts I had didn't fit it, and when I called Sherlne I was told that, "Not all commercial inserts will fit our tool holders, so we recommend that you purchase inserts directly from us [currently $15 each], which are guaranteed to fit." After several tries, I found a pack of 10 inserts on eBay for $25 that fit.
 
kstrauss said:
The description claims to use APKT11t3 inserts and that size is very common on eBay and Amazon so supplies shouldn't be a problem. Fortunately I don't have anything using APKT1003 inserts.
Click to expand...

The problem is that not all “APKT11T3” inserts are the same. The commonly available inserts you refer to would not fit on the Accusize tool.

The photos showed (still show) the commonly available inserts BUT the inserts that came with it were not the same as in the photo, that’s why it went back. The raised cutting edge/step on the end of insert requires a recess in the tool pocket (for the other end of the insert) and it was not present. The Accusize inserts do not have this raised edge.

Like @Susquatch said, not going to be tied to single sourced, oddball insert$

I notice that in your photo the tool seems to have a pocket for the step so maybe they switched suppliers again….. Do your inserts have the step?

D :cool:
 
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Susquatch said:
This is VERY interesting. I think I can say with some certainty that some of the tool suppliers out there sell tools with specialty inserts in them specifically for the purpose of capturing the insert supply for themselves. Sort of like getting an amazing deal on a laser printer and then paying through the nose for their Fkn ink.

I'm a bit surprised to think Accusize might do this though. I wouldn't have thought they were big enough to pull it off. I've also come to really like their products and their focus on customer satisfaction. I've certainly not had that problem with their face mills. All of my APTK inserts have fit no matter where I sourced them.

I can also agree that any tool that I bought (other than special purpose) that didn't fit the common inserts I have adopted, would be returned and replaced with one that did. There is no way in Hell that I'm gunna get locked into stocking 5 million different types of inserts. It's already bad enough as is.
Click to expand...

I think they were selling the commonly available config. and changed at some point, maybe they got a better deal from their supplier? If they’ve changed back because of customer feedback (ref. what looks like pockets in @kstrauss ’s photo) then that might be an explanation rather than trying to corner the market for expendables.

While we’re on Accusize, initially I went for them vs Shars for the second tool because of the positive feedback here, shopping in Canada is easier and their reputation of selling good product and good customer service. Through the discussion and return the experience was also positive except the product was not what I was expecting so I would not hesitate to deal with them again.

D :cool:
 
There are indeed pockets to accommodate the top corner of the insert. However, I'm having trouble understanding your meaning of two types of APKT11t3 inserts. Could you possibly provide a web link or a sketch of the differences? I can take a closer closeup of the Accusize tool if that will help.
 
kstrauss said:
Some closer closeups of the pocket and an insert:
Click to expand...

@Tecnico - I might have called Accusize and asked them if I could mill out the pocket without getting locked in. I don't think it's critical, just needs to be there to fit the tooth on the insert.

I've never seen an APTK without it. Maybe the smaller ones are like that. I only have the medium sized ones.

Here are mine with a ruler to see scale. These have a squarish pocket, but a round pocket is fine too.


20241115_141832.jpg

Accusize is amazingly accommodating for things like that. Typical response from them is "Go for it. If it doesn't work out, we will cover you. Either way, let us know how you make out so we can adjust our products to meet the market needs."

How do I know that? Just happened to me with some ER collets. Awesome experience. I'd go as far as to say it was an enjoyable experience!
 
kstrauss said:
Some closer closeups of the pocket and an insert:View attachment 54482View attachment 54483
Click to expand...

I’m not 100% sure but it looks to me that there’s no step on the cutting surface of your Accusize insert. See the photo in @Susquatch ‘s post 15, it shows the step. I think sus’s insert is a larger size but the shape is the same. I have some of those on my larger face mill.

I wonder if the insert with the step would fit your pocket though.

D :cool:
 
Not sure if I'm understanding the conversation correctly, but the 2 series are different dimensions so the presumably the pocket must incorporate one or the other.
An APKT 11xx has slightly longer cutting length dimensions than an APKT 10xx (11mm vs 10mm) = item 5 on the cross reference).
And it could also have different thicknesses (item 6 on cross reference).
I'm using APKT16xx & they are readily available

onmytoolings.com

APKT Insert: Premium Milling Solutions | APKT 1604, 1003 for Steel & Aluminum

Discover high-performance APKT inserts for industrial milling. Explore APKT 1604 & 1003 sizes, specs for steel and aluminum. Wholesale suppliers of quality cutting tools. Boost your machining efficiency today!
onmytoolings.com onmytoolings.com
1731730580361.png


1731730722913.png



1731730927451.png
 
@PeterT We are talking about the fit of two inserts sold under the SAME part number IAW the ISO part number code chart you posted above. That’s what caught me on the Accusize tool I bought and subsequently returned.

Thing is, the geometry, while apparently (claimed) meeting the parameters of the ISO part number varies slightly so one of the geometries does not fit the tool pocket. It’s NOT a discussion of different part numbers fitting the same tool.

It may be the case that the Accusize insert would fit the Shars tool, but the more common insert will not fit the Accusize tool which was a showstopper for me.

D :cool:
 
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