Today's Tool purchase

So, because I am now going to build/finish the Stuart Beam Engine, I needed some tooling. I popped along to my favourite local tool supplier this morning on the prowl and this is what I found:

Now, next up I am going to show you the contents but I just dare not tell you how much I paid, it wouldn't have bought a pint of beer in a restaurant.

Yes, these places still exist and this one is Paul's Tool Emporium in Stalybridge, Cheshire. You don't even need to drive to get to the place, go to Stalybridge Station, leave by the Main (only) exit and it is right across the road. And the bar at the end of the Station Platform is one of the top CAMRA pubs year in and year out.
Paul's place is always worth a visit as he is constantly clearing workshops out. Sometimes Hobbyists stuff and sometimes Engineering Works and he is not greedy and always willing to "combine purchases"

Okay, not new I will grant you but I bet you I could get a fiver for the tin and have the contents for free.Tin is not for sale by the way, I have a load of old and interesting tins in my workshop that I keep stuff in.

graham.

Thanks - I visit Stalybridge regularly on business, will drop in and take a look.

Well worth a visit, especially all the tool drawers with some of the older tools and reamers. Leave your cards at home though as you will be spending more than you planned! And new boxes of Dormer Drills for three pounds - ten drills to a box. I have LOTS of drills

graham.

Those were the days, when the packaging was better than the contents.

Neil

So did Boadecia use these dies to make her chariot?

Frank

Not today but last week I bought a set of ALDI "Workzone" HSS metric drills. I thought they looked quite well made/ground and having tried the 6mm drill today to drill half a dozen holes in 1/2" "toughish" steel I was pleasantly surprised by the performance.

For less than 4 quid the set I intend going back to ALDI tomorrow to buy another set provided they have not sold out.

Rik

Hi Rik,

What sizes in the pack - is it worth a special journey?

Neil

Hello Neil

2x1.5

2x2

2x2.5

3

3.2

3.5

4

4.5

5

6

8

10

Yes, I think they are a steal. While I'm at it, all the very best as the new editor !

Rik

In some cases that's still true.... even if the packaging is a bubble-pack

I bought one of these sets of drills a few years ago and found them very good. (But not as good as Arceuro's cobalt drills.) I have just bought another set and hope that they are the same quality. The box that they come in is also quite nice.

Les.

I am not sure. Certainly BA taps and dies were available back then but whether or not the Welsh used them at that time is not known. History shows that although the Midlands were the centre of Industrial Thinking, sometimes the technology did not filter down to the provinces as quickly as we imagine.

graham.

Now i've seen the sign and pondered, think i know where i'm going on my next rest days!

The pie and black pies in the pub make it worth a visit just for that...

Cheers

C