Thread: Brand new tools that need repair before usage

We have probably all bought cheap new tools, and found them unusable in some way.
If they are from a local dealer, it is easy (possible?) to send them back for a refund/swap.

When they come from overseas, and there are language communication issues?
Or postage from Australia would cost more than you paid for the item?

You have to either throw the tool away, strip/repurpose, or use our skills+tools to fix the tool !!!



Here are a few recent examples;


1) Small Dial Indicator and base (China, $34)
Looks good for the price, huh? Indicator is OK unless you drop it too hard. Then it will read if you have the lever to the right, but not if the lever is to the left! The base was the actual problem. In the configuration shown, it works OK, but if you have the DI a bit further out from the base, it topples over.

I just thought that was the way it was (weak magnet on 20mm sq. base), until someone else looked at it and noticed the base wasn't flat, so it rocks around and only has a small contact area. Simple fix on the surface grinder:
IMG_2518.jpgIMG_2519.jpgIMG_2520.jpgIMG_2521.jpgIMG_2522.jpg
which removed the bad non-flat linishing, and helps it stick to flat surfaces.
Still too weak to attach to your average machine casting, though



2) Quick Change Tool Holder (part of $470 order, but $140 of that was shipping).
One of the Vs was machined out of spec. I told them about it.
The shop told me to send a video showing the fault, and just to clamp it tighter.

My time was worth more than what would have been a drawn out fight,
so I opened it up a little on the mill (my first real milling job):
IMG_1389.jpg
That got it to sit propetly on the Vs, but then meant the clamp doesn't grab it tightly enough to seat it well on the "Italian Style" (Dickson) QCTP block. But it varies between sides, as some of the clamping plates' cams are smaller than others.

That taught me never to buy any of those QCTHs again. I will make my own in future.






Does anyone have any similar "new tool repair" stories to share?

Don't want to sound too rude but just looking at that dial indicator stand would make me suspicious as would the price.
I'd say you probably just got what you paid for?

Originally Posted by BobL

I'd say you probably just got what you paid for?

So rude!!!


I was replacing the cheap DI (that someone else dropped), and this seller had the DI+arm+base for about the same price, so I thought I would risk it. Was hoping at least some of it would work

Originally Posted by nigelpearson

That taught me never to buy any of those QCTHs again. I will make my own in future.

Does anyone have any similar "new tool repair" stories to share?

Having experienced all the above, was one of the reasons for making my Norman patent QCTH. I got rid of my Dickson and four tool holders ! Fortunately I didn't loose too much on the sale.

Originally Posted by nigelpearson

So rude!!!


I was replacing the cheap DI (that someone else dropped), and this seller had the DI+arm+base for about the same price, so I thought I would risk it. Was hoping at least some of it would work

Plus it's a Mitutoyo!

Can't go wrong with that! ;-)

Originally Posted by aarggh

Plus it's a Mitutoyo!

Can't go wrong with that! ;-)

It's actually a Miluloyo from what I can see in the blurry photo.

Originally Posted by Techo1

It's actually a Miluloyo from what I can see in the blurry photo.

They OP didn't need to mod the gauge but the base which looks like it was made in a year 9 MW class. In fact I'be seen a lot better quality produced in a year 9 MW class - mind you that was some decades ago - dunno what they do these days.

Originally Posted by Techo1

It's actually a Miluloyo from what I can see in the blurry photo.

So it is! Sly buggers!

What else would you expect from the Chinese!!!!!
Pity their products don't last as long as this Virus!!!
That's one of the reasons I try to buy better quality tools, you don't have to modify/repair them before use.
Kryn

The contact tip can be moved by a push with your fingers, and are supposed to be adjustable.

Sent from my 5007U using Tapatalk

I wanted to replace the permanent magnet base fitted to a little Noga arm, with a switchable magnetic base. An industrial supplier in Padstow, NSW had a small Noga base for just over $50 which seemed reasonable for an Israeli product. (The supplier provided no information regarding the base's country of origin.) Had I known that it was Chinese AND that it's action was rougher than the two $15 Chinese bases I already owned, I would not have bought the ring in.

IMG_20201207_101238909.jpg IMG_20201207_101325652.jpg

The base required a fair bit of fettling to render its action smooth. In contrast, the larger Noga base that I've owned for close to twenty years has always functioned flawlessly.

IMG_20201208_105725673.jpg IMG_20201207_101430193.jpg IMG_20201207_103228084.jpg IMG_20201207_095600293.jpg

I posted photos of the base on Instagram and received a response from Avi Widovski at Noga in Israel. Here is part of his reply to an email I sent '' All our products are made in Israel.
The magnets only (internal parts) are made in China. This is the only country who are producing the internal parts of the magnet only. We inspect/test the magnets and modify them. So far we did not receive any problems.
Will make sure that our local agent will call you shortly and replace the magnet if necessary."

The local agent did contact me and asked me to return the base for replacement. I chose to stick with the repaired base because how could I be assured that the replacement would be better.

I have purchased enough from China to have no great expectations, sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised, othertimes disappointed. Buying something Chinese at an Israeli price is something else.

Interesting Bob.
I’m assuming Noga were satisfied it was a genuine item and not a counterfeit?

Steve

Originally Posted by OxxAndBert

Interesting Bob.
I’m assuming Noga were satisfied it was a genuine item and not a counterfeit?

Steve

Needless to say Steve, my email was well illustrated. There was no suggestion by Noga that it was anthing other than one of their products. In reality a counterfeit would probably have been an improvement!!

Bob.

Originally Posted by Dave J

The contact tip can be moved by a push with your fingers, and are supposed to be adjustable.

Yes, like most lever DIs, there is a little clutch in the arm, so that the lever+tip can be repositioned.
Parts 2 and 1 respectively in this:
screenshot201705a.jpg

The problem with my DI seems to be Part 7 not meshing on part 9. If the face is on the left of the lever, it works. If the face is on the right of the lever, 7 and 9 somehow fall out of alignment. Haven't made a clean enough space yet to carefully disassemble

Here is another example.


I have needed some BSP taps+dies for years.

There are some small sets around: https://www.lprtoolmakers.com.au/bsp...-carbon-steel/ that are priced reasonably, but looking closely at the web site image shows a big dag on one of the teeth:
bsptround3__88862.1553574464.jpg
That put me off. I'm guessing Aprica are made in India?
I'm guessing the web page designer isn't detail oriented.
I'm hoping they didn't photograph the best set they had


So, I bought a few cheap individual G series taps from China. And they have a similar fault.
Hard to see from my phone's camera:
IMG_2499.jpg
but there are multiple burrs on the edge. Look like the flutes have been "ground" using a cold chisel.

I tried to wire brush them off. I tried to scribe them out. They are tough. I'm thinking I'll have to setup a lathe at 19tpi, and clean them up with a carbide thread insert. Except I only have 60° forms, not 55°.

Sigh.