Posts: 4,460
Threads: 184
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Missouri, USA
I've finally gotten around to getting myself a set of ER32 collets and a couple of chucks (R-8 and straight shank.) But I also wanted to get a set of square / hex collet blocks as well. Apparently the only thing available in the US now are all Chinese imports?
So rather than do the usual roll of the dice with ebay I just ordered a couple of blocks (most likely Chinese) from Little Machine Shop in California.
5 day shipping that costs $14.37 with a grand total of approx
$88.00
Then I find a set of "Stevenson" blocks at Arc Euro trade (UK) that come with
ball bearing nuts as opposed to the
plain nuts from China.
2 day shipping at a cost of $20.00 with a grand total of approx
$68.00
I'll have to compare the sets when I get them to see how well they are made. I may keep both sets - or I may not. We'll see.
Willie
Posts: 375
Threads: 53
Joined: Jun 2013
Location: Jonesborough, TN
I bought the Stevenson blocks from Arc. Great quality, but probably made in China.
Micromark 7x14 Lathe, X2 Mill , old Green 4x6 bandsaw
The difficult takes me a while, the impossible takes a little longer.
Posts: 4,460
Threads: 184
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Missouri, USA
The following 1 user Likes Highpower's post:
EdK (05-07-2019)
(05-07-2019, 02:31 PM)chucketn Wrote: I bought the Stevenson blocks from Arc. Great quality, but probably made in China.
Hmmm.... I wouldn't have thought so with John being in the UK. That is, if it's the same ("Sir") John Stevenson I'm thinking of.
Maybe not since I don't know the full history on his designs. I still want to compare them and check tolerances though.
I know the bearing nut on my Iscar R-8 chuck feels much nicer than the (China) plain nut on my straight shank chuck.
Edit to add:
After looking over some older posts on another forum it does appear that Arc was the deciding factor on if and where John's designs would be produced - which could be anywhere I suppose. I just assumed they were made in the UK.
https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/...131257&p=3
Willie
Posts: 642
Threads: 14
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: East Sussex, UK
Before he died John went to China with Ketan from Arc Eurotrade to amongst other things discuss the drill sharpener that looks like a Moon Lander. The one they were selling was made to their specification and quality. I'd be surprised if the 'Sevenson' collet blocks hadn't followed the same process.
The Chinese will make things to as good quality as you want if you are prepared to pay
Andrew Mawson, proud to be a member of MetalworkingFun Forum since Oct 2013.
Posts: 4,460
Threads: 184
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Missouri, USA
I agree Andrew. I don't mind paying for a QUALITY tool, no matter where it comes from. I just hate paying premium prices for junk when it's the only thing readily available.
I'm on my way now to yet another doctors appointment - so I will have to stop at FedEx on my way home again to pick up the Stevenson blocks. Perhaps this will actually be more of a China vs. China comparison. Although it still irks me that I can get similar tools cheaper and faster from GB than I can here in the US.
Willie
Posts: 2,620
Threads: 100
Joined: Dec 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,460
Threads: 184
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Missouri, USA
Yeah, even cheaper via eBay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hex-ER-32-Colle...SwwppcwDTV
Unfortunately I wasn't looking for inexpensive, I was looking to pay more to get concentricity and repeatability.
I should get the LMS blocks today and I can start measuring things.
Willie
