Author Topic: Axminster tools  (Read 3480 times)

Offline GBF

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Axminster tools
« on: October 25, 2017, 02:35:47 PM »
I need a new chuck and have looked at the Axeminster SK114 it is £190 00  and jaws are extra.
I think Axminster tools have got very expensive there was a time when I only went to them for everything now I am sterting to look around.
Am I the only one to have noticed how they have got expensive or have anybody else noticed.

Regards George
The man that never made a mistake never made anything

Offline fuzzyturns

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2017, 03:39:31 PM »
Can't say I have noticed, but then I buy most of my tools and chucks/accessories from the toolpost. I have two of their Versachucks with about 7 or 8 different sets of jaws, and cannot fault them.
Example: Versachuck body + M33 backplate + Axminster mounting jaws = 95.74 + VAT =  114.88. You'll have to add some postage, the toolpost don't do free deliveries.

Offline GBF

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2017, 03:53:58 PM »
Will the Axminster Jawws fit on the chuck

Regards George
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Offline GBF

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2017, 04:09:50 PM »
Just looked at the toolpost Chuck and it looks very much like a copy of the Axe Super precision chuck which is a great chuck.
Thank you Fuzzy

Regards George
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Offline Richard S

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2017, 08:39:51 PM »
George yes Axminster are the expensive option on some items but the quality is second to none and the service is exceptional.

I have a number of the Ax Super Precision, and the SK114 as well as a Versa Chuck.

I am a fan of the SP and it is my Chuck of choice, the SK is good but not as good as the SP in my opinion.

The VC is in fact a copy of the SP but with a slightly different scroll pitch which means the Axi Jaw Carriers will not fit the VC, you have to buy special VC Carriers to match Axi Jaws, you can also get VC Carriers to suit other Jaw makes.

In my opinion the VC is not as good as the SP quality wise.

The Axi Back Plates are the same as those for the VC, in fact my VC uses a Axi Back Plate.

Another thing to be aware of, the original SP Carriers do not fit the SK but for some reason the SK Carriers do fit the SP, as I have carriers permanently fitted to each set of Jaws this occasionally can be a problem.

I have 4 SP Chucks of which 3 I bought on E-Bay.

Hope this helps

Richard


Offline fuzzyturns

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2017, 10:12:35 PM »
Richard probably does have a point. When I spoke to Peter (owner of the toolpost) about his chucks, mounting jaws and holding jaws, he did admit that they are all made in India, and it is quite a challenge to get a decent repeat quality from these folks. So, with SK you get a chuck made in England (at least that's what Axminster claims, and you have to pay for that. With the VC you don't get the same quality, but then it's almost half the price. Take your pick.
I have 2 VC, one of them considerably older than the other, and they have slightly different dimensions on the mounting jaws. In consequence, half of my jaws fit onto the one body and the other half onto the other. Doesn't bother me much, to be honest. But then, we all place value on different things.

Offline malcy

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2017, 10:33:35 PM »
You are right George. Axminster have got more expensive for many things in the last couple of years, but you would have a job beating them for service. I now pick and chose what I buy from them as some things exactly the same can be ought cheaper else where. Malcolm.

Offline Paul Hannaby

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2017, 11:38:53 PM »
I read something recently about how retail prices in the rest of the world were  based on a reasonable return on manufacturing costs and in the UK they were based on what the market would stand!

Over the years I've been turning I have noticed some of the woodturning retailers doing away with cheaper items and replacing them with more expensive alternatives. I guess higher prices allow for bigger margins.

On the chuck question - I still think the Super Precision is the best chuck Axminster ever made and when I want another one, I scour the second hand outlets. Hopefully I have enough of them to keep me going until I hang up my gouges  ;)

Offline GBF

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2017, 10:23:50 AM »
I have ordered the Versa Chuck from tool Post it is a lot cheaper but it is not all about money.
Quality and service are important to me and I feel Axminster have changed and are not the Company they used to be

Regards George
The man that never made a mistake never made anything

Offline fuzzyturns

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2017, 11:14:53 AM »
You will find the experience with the toolpost a lot more personal, after all there are only 2 or 3 people working there. I have no quibbles with their service, whenever something was not right, they fixed it for me. Maybe not quite as speedy, but still a good service.

Offline APH

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2017, 11:46:30 AM »
I've got both the Versa Chuck and an SK114.
In my experience the SK is significantly better than the VC, you DO get what you pay for.
The carriers have less play in them.
They have rounded ends so less risk to skin if you accidentally contact them when the lathe is spinning.
The carriers are marked at the visible ends so fitting them is a little easier.
There's a greater range of movement 17mm on the SK 11mm on the VC.
The SK is 20mm shorter, less overhang and greater distance between centres.
The SK is made from stainless steel, never any rust if you workshop suffers at all from damp air in winter.

The only advantages of the VC are the purchase price, the ability to change the backplates if you change lathes and the ability to buy carriers for other jaw manufacturers.

Service ? I've never had an issue with Axminster, problems with poor quality jaws for the VC weren't handled as gracefully as I would have expected from a small specialist company like TP.

Whilst I mention jaws, Axminster's own are superbly engineered and cheaper than the native VC ones.

The VC is possibly a good choice for a newcomer who may change lathes, although the Nova can also swap threads,  but once settled the SK is a really good chuck. It's made with more precision, better materials and you're supporting UK manufacturing.

Offline Wood spinner

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2017, 05:51:16 AM »
The Oneway strong hold chuck is a beast as well

Offline APH

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2017, 09:17:34 AM »
The Oneway strong hold chuck is a beast as well
At 20% more than the Axminster, it should be.
Never used one myself, but it looks like there's a smaller range of jaws that other brands and the Oneway ones aren't cheap either.
There seems to a much smaller user base of these in the UK, so there are very few cheap s/h jaws around, unlike Axi/Nova/Record.

Also does it worry other people that in photos on both Oneway's own US web pages and Toolpost's site there is rust on the, presumably new, chucks ? That doesn't inspire confidence.

Offline dubturner

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2017, 06:29:05 PM »
George
I have 4 Versa Chuck and cannot fault them. They range in age and cover the original, Model 2 and Model 3.
They are excellent chucks and great value.
I don't think  you'll be disappointed in it.
Pat

Offline GBF

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Re: Axminster tools
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2017, 09:04:48 PM »
My Versa Chuck came today and it is a great bit of kit and saved me £60  00
Thank you Tool post good service and a great product

Regards George
The man that never made a mistake never made anything