Parallel bars

[kmanuele]

Anyone know of a source of good quality parallel bars?

Those I have purchased recently have been junk. Poorly machined, full of machining debris, internal rust, etc. Supposedly from reputable suppliers.

Could make my own, I suppose.

Thanks

K

 

[benmychree]

What are you calling parallel bars? Are you talklng about steel parallels that would be used as packing in a vise under workpieces?, if so they would not be finish machined, but hardened and ground, and there would not be rusty inside, as they are generally solid tool steel, I have found dozens of them used on e bay for cheap prices, generally in matched pairs,, if you are talking about something different, give a bit more info. or a picture.

 

[Karl_T]

If you just need a certain size go to McMaster Carr

 

[benmychree]

Not so very cheap! Also not so very hard, I think.

 

[NCjeeper]

Are you talking about adjustable parallels? If so yeah the import stuff has a lot to be desired. I would look for slightly used Starret or Brown & Sharpe ones on E-bay.

 

[kmanuele]

Anyone know of a source of good quality parallel bars?

Those I have purchased recently have been junk. Poorly machined, full of machining debris, internal rust, etc. Supposedly from reputable suppliers.

Could make my own, I suppose.

Thanks

K

Sorry, my mistake. I meant adjustable parallel bars -- the 2-piece with sliding dovetail.

K

 

[kmanuele]

Are you talking about adjustable parallels? If so yeah the import stuff has a lot to be desired. I would look for slightly used Starret or Brown & Sharpe ones on E-bay.

yes, clarified above.

Will check eBay.

K

 

[BGHansen]

I've got a set of Starrett's and a set of 35-year old Enco's. No issues with either set. I'd look for some used Starrett's on eBay.

Bruce

 

[MrWhoopee]

I'm assuming you mean adjustable parallels


and not adjustable parallel bars


Be careful, I bought a no-name set marked "Made in USA", at least one of them is out .005.