Thread: (Un) Reliable tools, a disappointing experience.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

But you have https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/de...6/#post1533484

I've been watching Reliable's auctions ever since I started out on Ebay. They have had some wonderful gear over the years and they go to considerable pains to thoroughly photograph many of the items listed. In that time I have never seen a small item like a indicator, vernier or gauge with photos of the rear side, the side usually adorned with engraving. They have never mentioned engraving or marking in any of their listings. I have only ever purchased one thing from them, it was new in the box and they did not respond to my enquiry regarding shipping costs. I got clipped. Lesson learned.

These days I always look at a seller's feedback before I bid. Worth looking at Reliable's...

eBay Feedback Profile for reliabletools

Given the volume of items they list, I don't think they would be in a position to thoroughly check everything they sell for damage such as that discovered on the Kingmann White. They do sell some real beater stuff and it's always described and being in good condition but they certainly are not orphans in that regard.

BT

this guy have reliable negative feedback.
i wouldn't touch this seller ,
Peter

Thanks guys.
It looked to me like most of the negative feedback is about postage times. But maybe i just don't want to know.....

Phil, thanks for the tip on the email addy, i'll try that.

Michael, a grind might be a good idea. I think someone has given it a lick before, the surface finish is poor in places.

I don't have a TIG, but I could braze it. Today i pulled it apart and noticed 2 things. I think some one has already tried to repair it, and its stainless (completely non magnetic).
However it is not stainless so it doesn't short the mag poles, there are nylon washers to stop that.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

It looked to me like most of the negative feedback is about postage times.

One thing to watch about this sort of thing. I,ve had my neg feedback changed to positive once a part refund was given. Buyers aren,t likely to get a refund for slow postage so the negitive stays.
So as ebay sees it, if you get some sort of refund you are now a 100% happy camper. Not an unhappy camper who managed to get a refunded.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Ueee

I don't have a TIG, but I could braze it. Today i pulled it apart and noticed 2 things. I think some one has already tried to repair it, and its stainless (completely non magnetic).
However it is not stainless so it doesn't short the mag poles, there are nylon washers to stop that.

I reckon the nylon washers are more likely to prevent galling or control friction. A nylon washer in a magnetic field should have a negligible effect.

TIG would be my choice for repair (but then all I have for brazing is a MAPP torch). V prep one side, weld, v prep & weld the other and it should be fine. Depending on how thick the part is a pass on one side might do, but the prep will give you clean metal to weld to (oil etc may have gotten into the crack) and "equal" heat on each side of the crack is less likely to distort the part.

What is the physical size of the part? I may have some 304 flat bar somewhere here (can't remember if it is 3 or 5mm thick) that you could use to fabricate a new one. If it is just a profile with a hole or two that should not be difficult.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

What is the physical size of the part? I may have some 304 flat bar somewhere here (can't remember if it is 3 or 5mm thick) that you could use to fabricate a new one. If it is just a profile with a hole or two that should not be difficult.

Michael

Come to that I have a metric shyteload of 316 scrap up to 12mm thick around the place. I could easily spare a bit. If I were making a new 'something' that wasn't going in salt water and needed machining etc, I'd be using 303 by preference though. 304 would rate somewhere ahead of Aquamet or Inconel but a long way behind 303 or 316.....

PDW

Hi Ueee
did reliable ever reply ?

if not I would lodge a formal complaint with Ebay

no reply...is this is sign of someone who is guilty???.

No reply yet. I haven't really thought about it much, the antrac has distracted me a bit.

Thanks for the offers of some steel guys, I'll measure it up and see what I need.

Cheers,
Ew

I wonder if its along the lines of "cant be bothered with the small stuff"(or possibly "I'll get around to that when I have a minute")?
I was flipping through this guys feedback there are guys buying 30 and 40 items at a time(the record is 73 in one go) again and again.
Never seen anything like it.(well except once and we wont go into that lol) but then how often do I look that closely at someone pos feedback......

eBay Feedback Profile for bestlocksmithdavid
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Stuart

Originally Posted by Theberylbloke

Hi Ewan,

I have bought a few items from Reliable Tools and the results have been mixed.

An albrecht drill chuck was listed as being on a MT1 arbor. When it arrived I found it was MT2. A small problem when your one spindle is MT1. After a couple of emails with Rick we settled on reimbursement of the cost of a new MT1 arbor.

I recently bought two 5C collets from them which were listed as "Hardinge" brand, but only one of them is. I'm in no hurry to deal with them again.

I'd hang in there and if they don't reply to your emails raise a complaint with PayPal.

Cheers

The Beryl Bloke

hi mate ill swap you a rhom mt1 arbor for your mt2.
aaron

Well i have had some success today. After still not hearing from them, even after an email, i put in a claim for half the cost back, $25.50 US, last Friday. It came back on Monday as declined and a counter offer of a $12 refund was put on the table. $12? I just replied with the same request for $25 and a note saying it could not be used in its current condition and how much i would have to put into making a new one. The claim was agreed to today. That does give me a little faith in the system if nothing else.....

The piece is 1.250" x .750" x .125". It has the faintest of faint magnetism, but it is only just there.

Cheers,
Ew

316 can be faintly magnetic.
I have 304 but as Peter (PDW) says 316 is probably nicer to machine.
My 304 is 1"x1/8" strip or I do have some 20mmx5mm stainless strip, grade unknown.
Send me a PM if you would like some.

Michael

I doubt you'd ever get an email reply, good, bad or indifferent - only method I've had success with is direct call. Couldn't imagine the amount of time and resources they'd need to devote otherwise.

Thanks to Michael i now have the sine bar fixed. I even have enough stainless left to make another one if i ever need to.....i doubt it though. A light grind on all 4 sides and it looks (almost) like new, i only took about .0005" of each side but that was enough to get rid of the engraving.

Cheers,
Ew

Very spiffy!

Michael