Buying tooling directly from Asia

[tarawa]

I have noticed through watching a lot of youtube videos that folks are buying machine tooling accessories from a plethora of online shops that work a little like ebay or amazon. I must confess that I got hooked on buying things online very cheap. i am finding the quality is ok, but shipping times may be a little long. A few items seem like exact clones of name brand items. Anyone else been buying really cheap tooling directly from Asia?

 

[Winegrower]

Yes, a number of times. Shipping is long, so it can't be something I need quickly, and generally it's something I don't even need, just seems too low to pass up. Quality has always been acceptable, except for India manufactuing. My experience there has been parts with really beautiful surface finish with terrible dimensional control.

I also bought a custom 100KV power supply direct from a Chinese supplier...excellent customer communications, very clear custom manual, exact features promised, nice looking unit and functions just as it should. $2K, half the price of standard US stuff, who could not be bothered to quote on small customized features.

 

[MrWhoopee]

I haven't bought any machines, but I have bought lots of tooling off Aliexpress. With the exception of some 10-32 taps which were too brittle to trust, everything has been quite acceptable. Shipping times have varied from surprisingly short to the more common 2-3 weeks. I, too, buy things I don't actually need just because they are such a deal. Currently stocking up on carbide inserts. I fear conditions in/with China may bring these good times to an end.

Edit: I did have one bad transaction. Once I clearly communicated to Aliexpress that I had been sent an empty envelope I received an immediate refund.

 

[BWS Arms]

I purchased a pneumatic dot peen engraver directly from the mfg in China. It was 1/3 the price of domestic and came with all the accessories. It arrived within 5 days of purchase. Its the only thing I have purchased directly from China but I wont hesitate to do business with the same company when I get ready to purchase a 50 watt fiber laser.

 

[projectnut]

My experience has been just about the opposite of those previously responding. Over the yeaRs I’ve tried to buy a few items directly from China. It’s never worked out. Each time the product either wasn’t as advertised or was badly damaged

One time the vendor tried to deny they sold me the product claiming I must have them confused with someone else. Another time when a product came damaged I was told that was to be expected considering the distance it had traveled. On a third occasion I was told the product was no longer available at the quoted price. If I wanted it the new price was more than double the quoted price.

Needless to say I no longer attempt to buy directly from China. Even when looking on eBay or Amazon I avoid Chinese companies if at all possible. That’s sometimes hard to do on eBay. Many vendors claim to be from the USA but when you lookup their profile they’re from China

 

[BWS Arms]

I guess its like anything else, theres good and bad.

 

[tarawa]

It is getting much better, but you must read the sketchy descriptions carefully. I purchased what I thought was a set of countersinks for a really great price. I hit the button and three weeks later received one countersink. It was my fault but the Chinese are master advertisers! I will take a picture of some of the items that I purchased. Some so cheap I bought several and gave them to my buddies.

 

[tarawa]

here are some items that I bought multiples of for a fraction of what they would cost here. As you can see by the coolant sprayer and indicator holder, the Chinese like to copy NOGA items.

 

[Smithdoor]

I have noticed through watching a lot of youtube videos that folks are buying machine tooling accessories from a plethora of online shops that work a little like ebay or amazon. I must confess that I got hooked on buying things online very cheap. i am finding the quality is ok, but shipping times may be a little long. A few items seem like exact clones of name brand items. Anyone else been buying really cheap tooling directly from Asia?

I have pass
But today finding I can almost get from Amazon or Walmart for almost same price without the long delay and if need to turn it is easier.

Dave

 

[tarawa]

I try not to go to Walmart. Some of our area’s finest shop there. I think there is a built in police station there. Amazon is pretty amazing. the truck stops here on a regular basis.