Thread: Machinists tools........

Hi guys, I have decided to buy Chinese tools......
It goes against my DNA, but I just cant wait for decent used gear to present itself!

I want a set of thin Parallels and a decent machinist vice for my Mill and a few other basic pieces...
There is an endless list of things id like, but these things are what I really need at the moment.

My question is this:
Can anybody give me advice on what to avoid or specific brands they have had success with?
I am aware some chinese gear is very good for its price, and also aware of the opposite....

Any decent advice appreciated thanks.
P.S. if anyone has anything they no longer need please let me know and maybe we can work out a deal?
cash or reloading consumables swap etc??

Cheers, 40mm
PM or mention me please so I know to look here.

Originally Posted by 40mm

Hi guys, I have decided to buy Chinese tools......
It goes against my DNA, but I just cant wait for decent used gear to present itself!

I want a set of thin Parallels and a decent machinist vice for my Mill and a few other basic pieces...
There is an endless list of things id like, but these things are what I really need at the moment.

My question is this:
Can anybody give me advice on what to avoid or specific brands they have had success with?
I am aware some chinese gear is very good for its price, and also aware of the opposite....

Any decent advice appreciated thanks.
P.S. if anyone has anything they no longer need please let me know and maybe we can work out a deal?
cash or reloading consumables swap etc??

Cheers, 40mm
PM or mention me please so I know to look here.

@40mm Not Chinese, but I've had nothing but good experience with Taiwanese Vertex (be aware I think there are cheaper chinese copies around also). That includes a 5" anglock mill vise, semi-universal dividing head, and a set of 3mm parallels (their vrt3110 set). Probably another piece or 2 that I can't think off at the moment as well. All purchased on specials at various times from NZ suppliers.

I got diamond files, mag bases and DTIs from ali Express. nothing spectacular but I use them. Most of my tools are high quality but you just need to make a judgement call about how much you'll use them and what quality results you expect. All I'd warn you about tools from Ali is that there isn't much consistency.
As PaulNZ said VERTEX is quite reasonable in price and very consistent, I used to use their clamp sets, vices & parallels when setting up a cnc mill and had no issues with them even when operators abused them.

Vertex is real good gear imo - i have quite a bit of it and its all proven to be spot on accurate. Just about everything i've got from Machinery House has been good to use regardless of brand, i can't say that for Chevpac though ... your mill vice imo needs to be a good one with built in down force on the movable jaw . out of curiosity what breed of mill do you have?

I've used a little bit of vertex gear, it's all been spot on. Possibly not as nicely finished as the expensive stuff like Starrett, Mitutoyo or Moore and Wright etc. But its good enough and you can often get two or more bits for the same price as one expensive jobbly.

Try Ahhfoundit on trademe