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Location: Ontario, Canada
(11-30-2014, 02:16 PM)Arbalest Wrote: I'm surprised they are so expensive. I have four of the Eclipse (UK) equivalent and they often turn up at the shows new or used for a couple of pounds each.
I don't know what show you mean, but we don't have flea markets like you have weekly boot sales.
As mentioned, those you have shown I can buy in the hardware store.
They have drilled round tips that are slit into four
The tips are then arcs that don't grip a square shank straight or tight.
The Starrett type has 2 sliding jaw inserts with v grooves
I did find one import that was bult that way, but it was expensive enough that the Starretts weren't much more
plus they had some gimicky rachet mechanism and double handles.
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Location: Dorset, UK
Yes, the Eclipse ones do have a round hole but they do grip taps well provided you use the correct size. I've certainly not had any problems with them not gripping square. Provided it's made correctly I don't see how that could happen. Eclipse have been making tools for Machinists for very many years and are a well known and respected brand over here.
Being made from some kind of spring steel Steve they open by themselves to accept the tap when you undo the collet.
The ratchet type are quite common over here but I've not seen any that looked worth buying!
Arbalest, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun since Sep 2012.
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Location: Dorset, UK
Sorry, forgot. When I said shows I meant engineering shows. We have three or four of them over here every year and its a great opportunity to pick up cut price tooling amongst other things. I expect you have similar shows over there?
Arbalest, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun since Sep 2012.
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