Projects In Metal, LLC Free Metalworking Projects, Plans, Tips, and Tricks for the Amateur Machinist
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
11:29 AM
June 19, 2011
Offline
I don't know if you are like me, but I am soooo fed up with cheap chinese tools that do nothing but brake apart on first use and will take some of your flesh in the process! 
Where oh where can I get good reputable tools in the montreal/laval region?
I want the good stuff, I am looking for taps, dies, endmills, drill bits etc…
The problem I have is: with mail order places, you do not always know what you are getting, even when you pay the top dollars, the pro outfits very often will not sell to individual and they are open from 8 to 4, guess what? I work from 8 to 4!
Also, the problem with the pro shops is that now, most machine shops are CNC and the tooling compared to our small amateur machines is quite different.
My machines have not the speed, rigidity of the big guys.
So what are the good tools to get for my PM25 mill and 11X27 lathe?
Luc
2:07 PM
January 9, 2009
Offline
I feel your pain!
One thing I did was get a decent tap/die set (not expensive, not cheap, middle of the road). Then I purchased excellent replacement taps for the taps I used regularly that got dull or broke. That way I still had a full set of taps that was decent, and the taps that I used regularly were excellent.
I did the same thing with my drill index. I purchased a good coated HSS set, and I've either replaced (if they are small) or re-sharpened my dull or chipped drills (with a Drill Doctor – they really do work).
Hopefully someone who lives in canada will chime in with their experiences and help you out further. Keep your chin up!
- REMEMBER: You need to subscribe to your posts so that you'll receive an e-mail update when a member replies.
- If you are having trouble posting pictures, be sure to visit the FAQ section of the forum for instructions.
- If you are having trouble viewing the forum posts, consider trying a different browser like Firefox or Chrome.
7:37 PM
September 25, 2012
Offline
LOL, when I lived in Cornwall, I used to go to Busy Bee Tools in Ottawa, but I agree, a lot of their tools are of poor quality. Now that I live in St. John's, there are very few places I can get anything. Fastenal is a pro place that will usually sell to us little guys, and Acklands Grainger is starting to open up to non-wholesale buyers too. Both of these companies are available all over Canada, so I'm sure you'll find them near Laval. I have had a lot of success from buying tools from "Little Machine Shop" online. They're in California, but I get stuff here on the island shipped by UPS, and usually takes less than a week.
6:14 PM
January 1, 2012
Offline
blue_luke said
I don't know if you are like me, but I am soooo fed up with cheap chinese tools that do nothing but brake apart on first use and will take some of your flesh in the process!Where oh where can I get good reputable tools in the montreal/laval region?
I want the good stuff, I am looking for taps, dies, endmills, drill bits etc…
The problem I have is: with mail order places, you do not always know what you are getting, even when you pay the top dollars, the pro outfits very often will not sell to individual and they are open from 8 to 4, guess what? I work from 8 to 4!
Also, the problem with the pro shops is that now, most machine shops are CNC and the tooling compared to our small amateur machines is quite different.
My machines have not the speed, rigidity of the big guys.
So what are the good tools to get for my PM25 mill and 11X27 lathe?
Luc
Mc Master Carr ,if they ship to Canada.Enco,Wholesale Tools,Travers are a few.Make sure you do not order their "house" brands.Theywill have choices ,The least expensive is almost always Chinese. Buy American made ,almost any other country but China.Some foreign tools are quite good. I buy Putnam endmills which are medium price cutter.They may be Chinese not sure.
I learned my lesson with Chinese taps, bought a standard and a metric set of fishing sinkers.Cost me a total of 80.00 + shipping for this crap. I actually use the dies for sinkers. They make A-1 sinkers ,the taps are worthless. I did make center punches out of a couple of taps.
I have Some Chinese digital calipers and micrometers. As far as cutting tools ,I wouldn't a penny for any mill or lathe tools made in china.
mike
6:34 PM
October 11, 2010
Offline
Sadly Mc Master Carr doesn't ship to Quebec even though they do ship to all other provinces.
7:43 AM
December 12, 2010
Offline
Sorry for the slow reply, just getting back online after the hurricane. Try pts-canada.com . They are more centered around industry, but they don't seem to mind selling to the public. I've never ordered online from them, just walked in, but their products range from cheep import to top dollar
I don't think I would buy tools from them, but their cutting tools and abrasives compare with anyone for price and quality. Good prices on safety items and shop supplies also
Joe
8:09 AM
May 30, 2010
Offline
The trouble is…….
90% of all American made tools are made in Chine and have the American made price tag. One thing I have noticed, as the US dollar becomes more and more worthless, even made in China brands are getting more expensive.
Dewalt
Milwaulkee
John Deere
Irwin
Vice-Grip
Snap-on, yes. aka Stanley tools, maker of Canadian Tire Mastercraft
Every one made in China, and priced American
10:44 AM
November 15, 2010
Offline
Two years ago, I (in BC) tried to order some material from McMaster-Carr and they said
Thank you for your order. Unfortunately, due to the ever increasing complexity of United States export regulations, McMaster-Carr will only process orders from a few long-established customers in Canada. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you.
Do you know that their policy has changed?
Alexander m said
Sadly Mc Master Carr doesn't ship to Quebec even though they do ship to all other provinces.
2:11 PM
June 19, 2011
Offline
blue_luke said
I don't know if you are like me, but I am soooo fed up with cheap chinese tools that do nothing but brake apart on first use and will take some of your flesh in the process!Where oh where can I get good reputable tools in the montreal/laval region?
I want the good stuff, I am looking for taps, dies, endmills, drill bits etc…
The problem I have is: with mail order places, you do not always know what you are getting, even when you pay the top dollars, the pro outfits very often will not sell to individual and they are open from 8 to 4, guess what? I work from 8 to 4!
Also, the problem with the pro shops is that now, most machine shops are CNC and the tooling compared to our small amateur machines is quite different.
My machines have not the speed, rigidity of the big guys.
So what are the good tools to get for my PM25 mill and 11X27 lathe?
Luc
I've bought from The Little Machine Shop. Shipping is steep to Newfoundland, but you get what you pay for. I've bought tools form Busy Bee in Nova Scotia. I have a Craftex lathe and mill. They are reasonable machines but the accessories and tools that they stock can be suspect. I've also bought things from KBC tools. These guys ship anywhere and they seem to have a range of poor, good and great. ie they have cheap Chinese vises, nice Taiwanese ones and then several Kurt models.
hope this helps
Most Users Ever Online: 75
Currently Online:
8 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
norman: 493
ironring1: 462
GarethBell: 394
Alexander m: 387
Titaniumboy: 370
Mtw fdu: 326
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 2
Members: 16867
Moderators: 3
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 6
Forums: 20
Topics: 1381
Posts: 11395
Newest Members: magicman, endmill, Bencini, carvejunky, johnzr1, jamieinmd177, derrrw, HW100 Shooter, Taylor S., beingthere, yushapatel, wiering17, alwhorley, petcern, jonestes11, steve_jay, ron.brown255, duluc2005, fowfam, PlasticMan
Moderators: snigit (1), madreptillian (99), Jerry (590)
Administrators: Tyler (2024)
Usage Policy
