Thread: Sutton and P&N

So two years ago you bought a metric set and an imperial set of Sutton Vipers. What was your experience with them? I'm confused now about what it is you are asking advice for.

Suttons viper vs Milwaukee red helix

Got both milwaukee go blunt easily. Sutton viper aint too bad, only snapped a 3.5mn bit.
Was looking at spare sets wether to get more vipers or get p&n which i can get at a discount especially their workshop range.
I still have my colbalts, can't remember what they are just that its in a purple container.
Also have expensive brad points i only uses for critical work.

I have been told viper bits are going exclusively to bunnings which is interesting
Sutton are now definitely gone off shore i looked at few packages and says made in taiwan.

No reply from Sutton to my questions. Have sent Dianne a nudge.

Originally Posted by jack620

No reply from Sutton to my questions. Have sent Dianne a nudge.

I'm interested to see what she says.

I like to support local industry (what's left of it over here) and am prepared to pay a bit more for the privilege. I don't like it when production is moved to distant countries, as that's usually done economic reasons, not for quality reasons - but I accept that is modern practice.

However what does raise my hackles is when they hide the country of origin. That's usually a sign they have done something they're not happy to admit. Or in other words, if made in Taiwan is as good as or better than made in Aus or NZ, why not show it? Why hide it?

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Itms

I have been told viper bits are going exclusively to bunnings which is interesting
Sutton are now definitely gone off shore i looked at few packages and says made in taiwan.

I talked to a Sutton's rep in Bunnings a while back in early 2023 or perhaps late 2022 (?) about the range of Viper bits that Bunning's carry - no fractional sizes in 32nd or 64th imperial sizes which are required by pen turners. His reply was that Bunnings will only carry the part range and suggested I look to "other" tool stores for those sizes.

Would I be right in thinking the only difference between Sutton Vipers and Suttons other drill brands such as Silver Bullet and Blue Bullet is the split point grind on the Vipers? They are all M2 steel (Vipers are 'european' M2) with 118 degree grind according to the blurb. Once the Vipers are re-sharpened will they basically revert to the Bullet series standard unless you resharpen with the split point grind?

I suspect a split point regrind is beyond most users ability so is the Viper marketing blurb just marketing blurb??

I'm not Sutton or Viper bashing... just wondering.

Regards
Twosheds

Disclosure: All my drill sets are Sutton (made in Aust) except for one P&N set (also made in Aust) and one regrettable Frost set. I don't have any Viper sets apart from replacements of busted bits in the Sutton sets. I can't freehand sharpen with a split point regrind to save my life but my tormek grinder & jig does an exceptionally good job.

Yesterday i got a new set of suttons holesaws. They say made in china but seem same as before. Found it interesting.

Originally Posted by Itms

Yesterday i got a new set of suttons holesaws. They say made in china but seem same as before. Found it interesting.

I got some p&n taps and were made in china too. Quality seems the same

I just checked a new 1/16th I think viper bit I bought a year or so ago, Australian owned on the front and made in New Zealand on the back (which is quite consistent).

I find them okay for woodworking.

No reply to my follow-up email to Sutton about the origins of their P&N range. Pretty poor form to completely ignore a customer I reckon.

Originally Posted by jack620

No reply to my follow-up email to Sutton about the origins of their P&N range. Pretty poor form to completely ignore a customer I reckon.

Thats poor business practice looks like they are hiding place if manufacturing. Older viper bits said made in new Zealand but nothing on there now.
Seen a few sutton products made in china. Quality seems same though

Originally Posted by Itms

Older viper bits said made in new Zealand but nothing on there now.

The NZ factory burned down a couple of years ago. They are doing some manufacturing in what is left of the factory while the new factory is being built. Maybe it got too hard to put country of manufacture on the Vipers because they are made in different countries? You’d think the Kiwis could package their bits with “Made in New Zealand” on them. We’ll probably never know as Sutton refuses to answer questions.

Originally Posted by jack620

The NZ factory burned down a couple of years ago. They are doing some manufacturing in what is left of the factory while the new factory is being built. Maybe it got too hard to put country of manufacture on the Vipers because they are made in different countries? You’d think the Kiwis could package their bits with “Made in New Zealand” on them. We’ll probably never know as Sutton refuses to answer questions.

When they refuse i reckon they have something to hide