Lathe tooling cost/quality
I am about to purchase two additional tools complete with inserts to add to the arsenal for my new lathe, these being a 25mm external threading tool (16ER inserts) and a 25mm parting off kit (25mm holder 32X3 blade and suitable inserts). I have received two wildly differing quotes as follows.
Hare and Forbes Machinery House have the parting off kit for $299 for all three items, with the inserts (10 off)being Kennametal. The external threading tool is $112 and ten AG60 inserts add another $130, with these inserts being Taegutec brand I believe. This comes to $541.
My second quote is from the Boyar Tool Company and this works out as follows. Parting off tool block (20mm) $180.40, 32X3 blade $92.40, 10 inserts (Ceratizit brand) $178.20. That prices their "kit" at $451. Moving on to their 25mm threading tool at $196 with 10 Carmex brand 16ER AG60 inserts adding another $226.22 to the cost. All up Boyar Tool comes to $874.
Now I realise that you often get what you pay for, but I'm failing to see what the extra $333 is buying me? Kennametal and Taegutec are well known and respected brands as far as I am aware and while I hadn't heard of Ceratizit or Carmex previously, their websites suggest that they are not cheap Chines knock offs and I can't really see how you could mess up a relatively simple tool holder too badly making the extra cost necessary.
Has any one got any wise words to add, experience to share or alternate suppliers to try?
Previous tooling that I bought from Boyar has been good (25mm WNMG style tool holders and boring bar with Tungalloy WNMG inserts), but there was nowhere near this price differential.