Where to purchase hand thread chasers.

[bpbuilder]

It's a bit of a dying art but does anyone know where I can purchase hand thread chasers (reasonably priced :) )?

Specifically I'm after a couple of external 26TPI (Whitworth form). I've only really picked up antique ones in the past that I was lucky enough to find. I know Sorby sells new sets but they aren't the right pitch I want. If anyone knows please let me know.

Thanks.

[Uncle Al]

Try Mick Moyles Engineering Supplies Mick Moyle's Engineers Supplies (http://www.moyles.com.au/)
I couldn't get their website to work just now, but the contact details are there. They are in Summer Hill, suburban Sydney.

Also, try Cutting Tools Australia in Kirrawee, Sydney CUTTING TOOLS AUSTRALIA (http://www.cuttingtools.com.au/) Again, I can't navigate around their website, looks like I have a problem, not the supplier.

Let's know how you get on.

Alan...

[issatree]

Hi bpbuilder,
Have a go at making your own.
Not having done this myself, but I think there wood be a Thread on the Forum relating to Threading.
It really takes a nut, with a few cuts with a Hacksaw on the inside, a Spanner, & your away, with next to no cost, & done by Yourself.

[QuarkVI]

I have managed to pick up most of mine on Trademe (NZ auction site) - only other place that I have found to get a good variety of pitches is Thread Chasers (http://www.tracytools.com/thread-chasers) but they will need some modification to work as an inside chaser if you don't have much space i.e. using it like an Ashley Iles uni-chaser

Tracy tools also advertises the traditional format THREAD CHASERS HAND OR MACHINE (http://www.tracytools.com/thread-chasers3) but I have never contacted them for pricing.

I have also investigated modifying coventry chasers i.e. grinding down and mounting onto a bar but since having found a nice selection second hand I haven't bothered.

I have also successfully used a tap to do thread chasing - basically used a cheap t-handle that I removed the t portion from before putting into a wooden handle - mounted the tap in it and it worked. Was a cheap 3 fluted tap - what did help was grinding the end off so that it was basically a bottoming tap - and to sharpen it one would need to grind it down so that there is a flat on both sides. Again was using it as a uni-chaser but that whole experiment stopped when I found the proper ones - I was planning to get better 4 fluted bottoming taps and then grinding off two of the flutes so that you have a two sided chaser that can be sharpened as per normal.

Would suggest that using the tap is the most economical especially if you have a second hand store/garage sale nearby with a box of old taps.

best of luck

[bpbuilder]

Thanks for the replies. Moyle's and Cutting Tools didn't reply so I assume that means they haven't got any.

I like DIY approaches, I might give DIY a go sometime... But for now I'm after exactness in terms of TPI etc.

QuarkVI thanks for the suggestions. I've looked further afield as you've suggested. Trade Me did have a few but just not in the size I'm after unfortunately, I guess it's a matter of timing and patience. Tracy Tools are £45 for something which is not off the shelf and £18 for a usual size of the shelf. I got £49 new elsewhere. Likewise I found a few chasers on different websites but some people want quite the price for them!

In the meantime I've been in contact with a couple of secondhand dealers out of the UK who seem to be helpful.

[smiife]

Hi bpbuilder,
Have a go at making your own.
Not having done this myself, but I think there wood be a Thread on the Forum relating to Threading.
It really takes a nut, with a few cuts with a Hacksaw on the inside, a Spanner, & your away, with next to no cost, & done by Yourself.

Hi bp,
Issatree you make that sound so easy.........:C
If I were you just buy a proper set of thread chasers
Any of the sponsers here would supply them , If you
get them unhandled I don, t think they are that expensive !
Chasing threads ain, t that easy and the last thing you want
Is crap tools to try and do the job .......just my 2 bobs worth:U