Another drill question

If you just need to dabble a little and drill a few holes, I am not sure if you need a complete collection of top of the line stuff. It never hurts to have top of the line stuff, but be sure that that is what you want to spend big money on.

They do carry decent stuff however.

Thanks, your characterization is more or less correct... I'm not a big time machinist or anything, although I have worked with most basic machine shop equipment at one time or another (mostly a long time ago, but anyway...) I just don't feel the need to spend money on *anything* unless it is quality, and also, if I suddenly decide that I need to tap a hole a certain size in a piece of metal, I don't want to have to drive

One thing that I've learned is that cheap tools lull you into a false sense of security... you *think* you are equipped to handle a job, and then something breaks/goes dull/otherwise fails in the middle of it, and you are screwed (usually while working on your daily driver car, if your luck is anything like mine...)

nate

Another alternative is buy stuff as you need it. McMaster usually has very low shipping charges and ships promptly, I usually get their stuff next afternoon (I live not too far from its warehouse). So if you need certain taps etc, you can order them in anticipation of need and have them delivered quickly, depending on where you are. Gasoline savings will probably be greater than shipping cost.

If you anticipate a need to fasten things with screws and tapped holes, you can standardize on a few sizes. For example, I try to use

McMaster is funny about putting brand names in the catalog, but will tell you if you ask. I've never purchased a set of drills from McMaster, but have bought lots of drills and other cutting tools from them and don't recall ever being disappointed with the quality. Best to just call and ask.

Ned Simmons

Just as a follow up, the drills were all Chicago-Latrobe and the tap was Greenfield. Whoever mentioned quick shipping was absolutely correct; I placed the order yesterday morning and a little envelope was waiting for me when I got home from work today. Happy smell of machine oil!

I've been buying stuff from Grainger because it's close to work, but if this is typical of McMaster-Carr's service I probably won't bother, unless I need something immediately.

nate

I'm 400 miles from the NJ warehouse. If I place an order before about 6 PM it'll arrive the next day on UPS. The rare exception is when an item needs to come from a different warehouse. The shipping charge is around $3.50 if the box weighs less than a couple pounds.

Ned Simmons

It is my understanding that McMaster sends it's orders out via their own truck to the UPS distribution center already sorted and coded to the route that will deliver the parcel.

Other places have to have their orders ready for pick up by 4 or 5 PM and then they need to be sorted and shipped to UPS's distribution center. So the first delay can happen if the order is not ready to go when the truck arrives, then you could loose another day if something goes wrong or package volume is high that day.

This is why you always get your stuff the next day when you order with McMaster.