Need a source for taps

R

Ring

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Need new taps. I got my last set for Atlas, but paid a pretty penny. Ive looked at the standard places (travers, msc, mcmaster etc) and come up dry, especially on 3/8-10

I know I can get them through Prather also, but was looking for a more reasonable source.

I found 3/8-10 at E taps.com, but it was $55

Thanks
 
Just so you know, there are two different 3/8X10 taps on the market, one is the regular one as we know it, the other is the one that fits the old Mohawk cues. Better to stick with Atlas and Prather, The bad news for those who really don't understand it, THAT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY FOR A QUALITY TAP! Stop comparing it to the local hardware store, If I told you what Widell and North American charged me each time I have a tap made, you might just mess yourself.
 
Well then here is a question.

If you recommend I continue to get them from Prather or Atlas, why do you have yours custom made?

And let there be no doubt, I understand the cost and value of a good tool. But that doesnt stop me from being more cost effective.
 
You get taps custom made when you can't get the the size you want anywhere else. Like Mr. Webb tried to explain, if you are balking at Atlas' price, you would sh*t a brick at the price of custom made tools. :D
 
Ring said:
Well then here is a question.

If you recommend I continue to get them from Prather or Atlas, why do you have yours custom made?

And let there be no doubt, I understand the cost and value of a good tool. But that doesn't stop me from being more cost effective.
Click to expand...

That's an easy question, because I buy my pins from three different sources and all are a little different in size but they are still a 3/8X10. I wish they could be less expensive. The problem is only a few hundred are made a year and not at one time because of the cost to carry them on inventory versus the amount that are actually sold, so the tap company's charge more because of set up time. Is it BULL, ABSOLUTELY! Even though there are more cue makers, repair people and hobbyist now more than ever, their just isn't enough demand to bring the cost down. The end result has made thread grinding more popular than ever. Some do it correctly and some still don't know the difference between a good fit versus an interference fit.
Please forgive me if I sounded out of line earlier.
 
Just a side note for you, most taps are ordered thinking of a standard size, no one actually measured the pins as far as O.D. versus pitch dept. I do which is why I have my taps made. Some of the best quality pins such as 3/8X10 and the Radial offered today are made by TNS Cues, the radials are very consistent with the rest of the industry but even he offers his own tap for his 3/8X10. Schmelke offers a 3/8X10 pin also, it has a smaller O.D. around .365 but the pitch is not as deep as others offered.
 
Ring said:
Need new taps. I got my last set for Atlas, but paid a pretty penny. Ive looked at the standard places (travers, msc, mcmaster etc) and come up dry, especially on 3/8-10

I know I can get them through Prather also, but was looking for a more reasonable source.

I found 3/8-10 at E taps.com, but it was $55

Thanks
Click to expand...
Ring - I bought 1 special 3/8-11 tap for cue making about 2 years ago. the cost of the tap was $165, if I bought 3, it was $120, and if I bought 100 it would be $65. I chose to buy 3 of the taps to get the cost down. I also have the taps that Atlas sells, but I wanted a guided tap with a nose on it, so I had to have it custom made. These threads are bastard threads, and you cannot usually find them at your local hardware store. IMO I think $35 - $40 is a great deal for these special taps, when you only buy one at a time.
 
Mike

I am sorry I got little testy also. I was pretty sure your comments where in general.

I do have a somewhat of machinist background (dad IS a machinist too) and I could make my own taps (I have trouble with the heat treat)

And I more than understand what a one off or a small run of custom tooling costs. Crap, it takes me 3-4 hours to make just 1 tap.

But like I said, that doesn't stop me from looking for a cheaper source.
 
Ring said:
Mike

I am sorry I got little testy also. I was pretty sure your comments where in general.

I do have a somewhat of machinist background (dad IS a machinist too) and I could make my own taps (I have trouble with the heat treat)

And I more than understand what a one off or a small run of custom tooling costs. Crap, it takes me 3-4 hours to make just 1 tap.

But like I said, that doesn't stop me from looking for a cheaper source.
Click to expand...

If you do find a source less expensive, don't tell anyone. Because once you do THE PRICE WILL GO UP. This industry just seems to work that way.
 
I am sure I am not the first to look. And those that have found a source they like are keeping it underwraps......
 
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