- Joined
- Dec 7, 2000
- Messages
- 5,179
You guys probably laughed at me when I said if I had a use for one of Jeff's tappers I'd buy one - but that making folders was just not in my immediate future.
Take a note: Keep my mouth shut! About three days after Jeff's tapper thread Michael Burch posted a question I was too dumb to ask. In case you missed it, he asked how folks keep multi-part handles aligned when they're working on them.
As it happens I was just beginning my own first such handle and thought, in ideal form, I knew everything I needed to know and never thought to solicit the advice of you pros. Figures, doesn't it?
Anyway, thinking I'd jump in there with my seasoned advice I read through the replies...
And was duly chastened.
My hero Nick Wheeler (I'm now coming to my point) gave a super demonstration of how he screws the parts together while he's building his awesome handles, with ideal pictures and everything. I knew instantly that my "plan" had been flawed and doomed to failure. You know how lazy I am and how unwilling I'd have been to recut all those steel spacers, and can imagine that I was very pleased to be saved so much certain grief. I took notes.
And I realized immediately: If I'm going to have to screw ten pieces together to build this elaborate handle I have no business attempting at my skill level, I'd better tool up. Besides, I'd been drooling over Jeff's tapper ever since he first introduced it a year or so ago.
So. I ordered a couple of taps and a bunch of 2-56 screws...and wrote to Jeff, just praying that he hadn't sold out of the recent run of those fine soldiers that I lusted so deeply for. Lady Luck was on my side; Jeff had one and was the most responsive guy I've dealt with in a very long time. I received the tool on the day he estimated that I would, a pleasant surprise in itself! I never rely on USPS shedules but like I said, this was destined to be.
Jeff's tapper is a super fine piece of equipment. You've probably seen the pics - I can honestly say that the pictures do not do the actual tool justice. Jeff has taken "fit and finish" to a special realm; the finish on this thing is beautiful. The "frame" is sandblasted except for the face of the stand, which is engine turned. The tap holder has a knurled top and fits into a brass sleeve so smoothly that all I could do for two days was play with it.
Nothing is as satisfying as working with (or playing with) a truly exceptional tool, and this is one. Jeff provided an extra set screw and an allen wrench for the tap holder, and even his invoice was unique and amusing. (How many invoices have you read that made you smile? Doing business with folks like this is a joy.)
Today the taps came and within moments I was cutting threads. The tapper perfomed as well as I could have imagined, and I know without a doubt that I would not have been able to thread these deep holes by hand without cursing and breaking taps. But all I did was sit there and smile while I worked. Man, I'm happy! I can't wait to start drilling more holes and putting threads in them. This is so freakin cool I'm just grinning like an idiot.
I might even make some folders... - Naw.
All I can say is, Jeff's workmanship is unsurpassed, his price for the tapper is more than fair (less than I anticipated from the pics, and it far exceeds the pics), and his service is beyond expectations. I could not be happier with this sweet little tool and Jeff Higgins' service, and I'm going to start making threads in everything that doesn't run away...
Thanks Jeff, I hope this is a successful venture for you, and I can't wait to see what else you invent. Please keep me on your list! Now, back to work.
Take a note: Keep my mouth shut! About three days after Jeff's tapper thread Michael Burch posted a question I was too dumb to ask. In case you missed it, he asked how folks keep multi-part handles aligned when they're working on them.
As it happens I was just beginning my own first such handle and thought, in ideal form, I knew everything I needed to know and never thought to solicit the advice of you pros. Figures, doesn't it?
Anyway, thinking I'd jump in there with my seasoned advice I read through the replies...And was duly chastened.
My hero Nick Wheeler (I'm now coming to my point) gave a super demonstration of how he screws the parts together while he's building his awesome handles, with ideal pictures and everything. I knew instantly that my "plan" had been flawed and doomed to failure. You know how lazy I am and how unwilling I'd have been to recut all those steel spacers, and can imagine that I was very pleased to be saved so much certain grief. I took notes.
And I realized immediately: If I'm going to have to screw ten pieces together to build this elaborate handle I have no business attempting at my skill level, I'd better tool up. Besides, I'd been drooling over Jeff's tapper ever since he first introduced it a year or so ago.
So. I ordered a couple of taps and a bunch of 2-56 screws...and wrote to Jeff, just praying that he hadn't sold out of the recent run of those fine soldiers that I lusted so deeply for. Lady Luck was on my side; Jeff had one and was the most responsive guy I've dealt with in a very long time. I received the tool on the day he estimated that I would, a pleasant surprise in itself! I never rely on USPS shedules but like I said, this was destined to be.
Jeff's tapper is a super fine piece of equipment. You've probably seen the pics - I can honestly say that the pictures do not do the actual tool justice. Jeff has taken "fit and finish" to a special realm; the finish on this thing is beautiful. The "frame" is sandblasted except for the face of the stand, which is engine turned. The tap holder has a knurled top and fits into a brass sleeve so smoothly that all I could do for two days was play with it.
Nothing is as satisfying as working with (or playing with) a truly exceptional tool, and this is one. Jeff provided an extra set screw and an allen wrench for the tap holder, and even his invoice was unique and amusing. (How many invoices have you read that made you smile? Doing business with folks like this is a joy.)Today the taps came and within moments I was cutting threads. The tapper perfomed as well as I could have imagined, and I know without a doubt that I would not have been able to thread these deep holes by hand without cursing and breaking taps. But all I did was sit there and smile while I worked. Man, I'm happy! I can't wait to start drilling more holes and putting threads in them. This is so freakin cool I'm just grinning like an idiot.
I might even make some folders... - Naw.
All I can say is, Jeff's workmanship is unsurpassed, his price for the tapper is more than fair (less than I anticipated from the pics, and it far exceeds the pics), and his service is beyond expectations. I could not be happier with this sweet little tool and Jeff Higgins' service, and I'm going to start making threads in everything that doesn't run away...
Thanks Jeff, I hope this is a successful venture for you, and I can't wait to see what else you invent. Please keep me on your list! Now, back to work.
