Thread: Buying tools overseas- not always as they seem.

Regarding manufacturing of HSS tooling. "All the leading UK brand names and most of the European brand names are no longer manufactured in Europe". From Presto sales.

Pete

Originally Posted by Pete F

Regarding manufacturing of HSS tooling. "All the leading UK brand names and most of the European brand names are no longer manufactured in Europe". From Presto sales.

Pete

I use Alpen bits. Made in Austria. Competitively priced if not on the cheaper side. I have had nothing but success with them. I have also only ever heard good things about them on the picky machinist forums...

Most of my Dormer gear is made in either Italy or Brazil. 95% is Italy.

I just bought some Dormer drills marked "Brazil". They look well made. I don't mind if they are up front about it.

Originally Posted by jack620

I just bought some Dormer drills marked "Brazil". They look well made. I don't mind if they are up front about it.

Agreed. Bit rough when marked "England", "Sheffield", or "UK" if what they really mean by that is that's where the profits go however.

Originally Posted by jack620

I just bought some Dormer drills marked "Brazil". They look well made. I don't mind if they are up front about it.

Hi Chris,
I have several sets of dormers, the Brazilian ones are just as good as the Euro ones, you should not be disappointed.

Hi Variant,
I have not heard of alpen, where do you get them from? My dormer stuff must have 5 or 6 different countries one different tools, UK, Sweden, Brazil, Italy and a couple more. All are of similar quality.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

Hi Variant,
I have not heard of alpen, where do you get them from? My dormer stuff must have 5 or 6 different countries one different tools, UK, Sweden, Brazil, Italy and a couple more. All are of similar quality.

Cheers,
Ew

Hi Ewan,

I buy my Alpen from Silicone Hoses, Blue Red Black items in Auto Performance Silicone Hoses store on eBay!

Fast enough shipping and reasonably priced. I actually think these bits should be more expensive than they are, but I am not complaining! The fact that they are made in Austria and I had never read a bad word about them got me started. The are a few forums (GJ is one) where members swear by them. I pulled the trigger and purchased a few and they have been performing well.

If you are feeling inspired, crank up your speakers and endure the music: MAYKESTAG: High performance cutting tools for metal cutting - YouTube the feature is @ 2:15..

Originally Posted by variant22

I use Alpen bits. Made in Austria. Competitively priced if not on the cheaper side. I have had nothing but success with them. I have also only ever heard good things about them on the picky machinist forums...

Most of my Dormer gear is made in either Italy or Brazil. 95% is Italy.

I had a look on EBay and saw some nice looking carbide drill sets. Set of 4,5,6,8 and 10mm in tungsten carbide for $49 seems reasonable to me but then I have never bought them before. I used one many years ago when I worked at JP Engineering. They bought about 4 (very expensive then) to drill holes in some castings that were very hard. I was pleased that the boss said that all the rest were broken and he wanted me to use the last one and if I could not get it to last he would give up on them. After a few I hit a casting with a hole in it and that was that.

I will look at the EBay page you listed.

Dean