02-22-2021, 03:11 PM
(02-22-2021, 12:59 PM)Vinny Wrote: Have you looked at either Wholesale Tool (wttool.com) or Travers?
I didn't previously but I just took a look. Same as the others. A few choices between 'inexpensive' import arbors and the golden goose (Albrecht). Travers offers Jacobs arbors too and they don't try to hide the fact that - "Hey, we get these things from China" and they are upfront about it.
At least I get a little false hope out of MSC about the origin of their supply.
I originally went for the LFA arbor because I know the level of quality. I bought a 3/8" LFA chuck many moons ago to replace the wonderful gritty feel of the Harbor Freight chuck supplied with my mini-lathe. Very happy with the LFA and would say it's on par quality wise with an old school plain Jacobs chuck. Back then it was just a tad less expensive than a new Jacobs chuck.
Back when I was browsing eBay for the 8-1/2N chuck, 99% of them were the new ones made in China. I found two listings that were for the old style chuck. The pictures for one of them showed it was was rode hard and put away wet, and they were obviously proud of this jewel. I made an offer on the minty one from a different seller and bought it for half the price of the 'jewel'.
I don't really care about who makes it - I just wanted to try to get an arbor of equal quality to pair with the Jacobs. I've got too many soft cheese import arbors already that wobble and ding or gall if you look at them wrong. I don't need the best, but I don't want to waste my time on mediocre either. Yes, I'm a picky old curmudgeon. My better half will back me up on that.
Willie