Mill Hold Down Step Block Set

[Jonathans]

I am currently using a $50 52pc set. Suffice it to say that I am not happy with it. The threading, or coating is so bad that they can't be hand threaded. I would like to upgrade to a good set but visually they all look exactly the same. Just the prices differ. I would appreciate a suggestion.

 

[dirty tools]

I bought a cheap set also I can hardly thread the nuts on, I have been thinking about running a thread chaser down the studs
maybe the threads will clean up so they can be used

 

[JimDawson]

I highly recommend using a thread chaser on the studs and run a tap through the nuts. I do that to mine all the time just to clean the chips out of the threads. They work much better.

 

[Sandia]

Yep, I have one of those as well. Real pain.

 

[Bob Korves]

Te-co is about the best, but nowhere in the same ball park as $50. Gibraltar makes very nice hold down sets, still nowhere near $50, but way less than Te-co.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=730

 

[Jonathans]

Besides the threading issue, when I bear down hard on one of the nuts it seems to be bending the threads, so now, even if I had cleaned up the threads and threaded the nut on ok, it won't turn off easily and has to be wrenched all the way!
At this point I won't mind spending the extra dollars on a Gibraltar or Teco, I just want confirmation from someone that has as a set of those that they don't have the same issues.

 

[Dan_S]

Don't write off the cheap sets, The $60 set that came with my mill works really well, but it isn't as pretty as some of the high dollar sets.

 

[Jonathans]

what brand is your set Dan? My cheap set is.... well..... cheap, and doesn't function well.

 

[T Bredehoft]

The set that came as part of an option package from Precision Machine, (grey plastic rack with metal back), while it isn't high quality, certainly is usable without much work. I swiped a file over the steps of the T nuts, to make them smoother moving, and everything else worked just fine. The threads all go together with finger pressure, no problems at all. If I made them myself, yeah, they'd be better, but I'm content with them the way they are.

 

[Eddyde]

I recently picked up a cheap set here:
http://www.victornet.com/
I think it was only $45. So far I haven't had any issues with it.