Thread: Blacksmith made holdfasts

I'll make some enquiries during the week and update this thread if I get a result
cheers
Ian

.... if you choose the USPS International Priority - $74.78 shipping. If you are happy to wait a few weeks and use a International Flat Rate Box - it cost me $25.09 US, about AUD 23.00.

The Grammercy website does not give all the options but if you contact them they will manually intervene and use the cheapest. Or, if you have a friend in the USA, ship to their address and forward, or use one of the many forwarders that are springing up. You will be able to import several pairs for the same flat shipping rate; the bigger box takes up to 20lbs, about 5 pairs.

BR,

Fraser

A group buy would be great. I know that fencefurniture (Brett) has done a few GB's, we could always ask him to organize it for us...

Thanks Loco, that sounds more reasonable

Depending on pricing I'd be interested in the group buy too if it goes ahead.

I live in rural SA and there is a spring works not far from where I live. I have taken the libertity of printing Woodwould,s PDF and I will ask at the spring works for a price!. Will report back after I have sproken to the spring works(Tomorrow 30-1-2012).

Originally Posted by woodie2

I live in rural SA and there is a spring works not far from where I live. I have taken the libertity of printing Woodwould,s PDF and I will ask at the spring works for a price!. Will report back after I have sproken to the spring works(Tomorrow 30-1-2012).

I'm interested & in SA also. Keep us informed.

Originally Posted by woodie2

I live in rural SA and there is a spring works not far from where I live. I have taken the libertity of printing Woodwould,s PDF and I will ask at the spring works for a price!. Will report back after I have sproken to the spring works(Tomorrow 30-1-2012).

Indeed! Even if the boys there wont manufacture them, then it would be good to know what sort of pricing the 5/8 or 3/4" spring steel rod goes for, then after a bit of work with an oxy set and a stout hammering arm, we could get them to heat treat them properly, which was reasonably fair priced when we had a tailspring done by them about a year ago. I'll be watching with interest.

Tom.

I am also interested

Right you are , let us know how it goes then?

Funnily enough, I had these on my mind a few weeks ago, and did a bit of reading, mainly Popular Woodworking. They tested about half a dozen different types a few years back, and by far the best (in their opinion) were made by a guy in Alaska , as I recall. They weren't particularly impressed by the one that immediately snapped on the first tap.

I think there was a link to the mag read on the TFWWW (Joel Whatshisface) site. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Right. Here you go. Apologies if this has already been covered, but so far I can only see posts after #13 for some weirdo reason.

Cheers, Brett

Ah, I remember his name now. Phil Koontz. Must be from Yorkshire, but how come there's more than one of him?

I would suggest firstly seeking expressions of interest from prospective purchasers, then once numbers are known approach people like Michael Connor (who used to supply the Gramercy holdfasts) and Chris Vesper, Terry Gordon, Colin Clenton, & perhaps others.

It is in all our interests to provide those local businesses with the well known & enviable reputations they have for quality & service, with our trade. Plus it would avoid, or at least significantly reduce, the chance of waiting several years for delivery, and then receiving a holdfast with a square shank.

I would imagine that a local business would welcome an opportunity to service a significant bulk purchase, and additionally have an extra tool to add to their product list for future trade. They may also be already considering adding this tool to their line.

Regards

Basil, I just spoke with Michael Connor re holdfasts. He looked in to getting them made locally, but is still waiting for four blacksmiths to get back to him, 2-3 years later. He suggests that going direct to TFWW for Gramercy is the way to go.

Before you get too far down the track, have a read here
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f12/gr...mation-137571/

I agree with Basilg, we should approach local manufacturers first before we go OS. even if there are a bit more expensive we could still have a win with lower postage.