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Princess Auto - Free Delivery

CalgaryPT

CalgaryPT

Ultra Member
Vendor
Premium Member
For those of you who don’t know PA has free delivery these days. I got one package within 24 hrs. And the second within 36 hrs.
Let’s keep this great Canadian business running during these tough times.

It’s only a matter of time before the Americans try to buy it.
 
CalgaryPT said:
It’s only a matter of time before the Americans try to buy it.
Click to expand...
Yes that would likely be bad. Even worse fear is if Busy Bee buys them. They already carry much of the same line up already.
I love Princess Auto for their excellent warranty and their array of unique items that a huge chain line store would never carry.
 
Busy Bee is about to go under - I would expect Princess Auto to buy out Busy Bee. Or Grizzly tools. Or they simply just disappear.
 
I hope they don't, but won't be surprized if they do. I too am always shocked when I go to Busy Bee at how few people are in there.
 
I think its a Canada wide thing - lots of people are just not doing the hands on stuff and then couple that with shops like Lee Valley for the small wood tools and some of the other on line stores.
Thing that sucks is then were do you go for larger machines that are in the realm of affordability for the small shop guy......

I have been to the BB and also been the only one there and 4 store employees.....sadly sold out of what I had stopped by for......
 
I have not been at BB in few years. For me their main purpose is to act as competition to keep prices down locally... on the other hand I have not purchased much at any local store in years, with exception of PA where I go regularly. Thus effect of BB keeping prices down for me would be next to nothing.

They simply offer poor quality stuff at high prices with zero customer service and in many cases substandard warranty. I assume most people figured it out and no longer buy anything from them. There are simply too many cheaper alternatives for both small tools and larger machines - these have far better price to what you get balance.
 
Would be a shame to see BB go under actually. The only other game in town for smaller hobby size machines is KMS and their selection sucks. The last time I was at KMS I couldn't find anyone to help me. I have some machinist ink on order to be sourced from another branch that hasn't surfaced in two weeks now. I'm not holding my breath on that order.
 
While I wish I could have said that I've had good experience with BB, I very rarely buy from there anymore due to some disappointments during the purchase and subsequent needing help with my mill. In contrast the local KMS has been absolutely awesome to me. As for Princess Auto I love going through their catalog but since they expanded the West Edmonton store it's even more fun to wander aisles there. Well, normally more fun, with all the virus craziness it does put a damper on it lately.
 
Today, I went to three well known bolt suppliers, looking for one only, 3/8" - 16 X 1-1/2" hollow point set screw.

All three were locked down with a sign on the door stating to call in the order for pickup or delivery.

Yikes..... I only need one screw?
 
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YYCHobbyMachinist said:
Today, I went to three well known bolt suppliers, looking for one only, 3/8" - 16 X 1-1/2" hollow point set screw.

All three were locked down with a sign on the door stating to call in the order for pickup or delivery.

Yikes..... I only need one screw?
Click to expand...
It’s annoying isn’t it? I needed to replenish the bolt bin and had to call in an order, pay with Visa and pick it up outside off a table. Just a new reality but it means no more “shopping”. Gotta call Napa this morning and place an order, we’ll see how much fun that is
 
That was my question YYC, why does it need to be that long? Some maybe workarounds
- (common) 1/2" length & you just engage the head with a hex key down the hole?
- (common) 1.5" length cap screw or does the head interfere with something?
- (crude) part off 1.5" length of ready rod & mill a slot if its not high torque application
 
PeterT said:
That was my question YYC, why does it need to be that long? Some maybe workarounds
- (common) 1/2" length & you just engage the head with a hex key down the hole?
- (common) 1.5" length cap screw or does the head interfere with something?
- (crude) part off 1.5" length of ready rod & mill a slot if its not high torque application
Click to expand...

It's a centering screw for my tailstock, and Ya I want a 1.5" long screw because, well, that's what it's supposed to be. A 1/2" or 1" long screw set screw won't do it.

I'm currently getting by with a 1.5" long cap screw but the head is seriously close to bottoming out on the exterior surface of the tailstock casting. I'd turn the head back a smidge if I could figure how to mount the screw in a chuck.

The ready rod solution would probably work, and I considered that route already.

See post #243 https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/9-sm-utilathe-restoration.1671/page-13
 
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I turned the heads in a lathe like 2 days ago for my bandsaw fence. I did not record it since it does not feel proper way - anyways, the cap screws were placed thread end into the chuck. Then there was just enough space left to get in there with right hand tool and I cut away about 80 thou from 4 screws. I set the speed high, but till under 2000 rpm.

Make sure cap screws are grabbed well by 3 jaw but do not over tighten to kill the thread - snug. Take small cuts.
 
Tom Kitta said:
I turned the heads in a lathe like 2 days ago for my bandsaw fence. I did not record it since it does not feel proper way - anyways, the cap screws were placed thread end into the chuck. Then there was just enough space left to get in there with right hand tool and I cut away about 80 thou from 4 screws. I set the speed high, but till under 2000 rpm.

Make sure cap screws are grabbed well by 3 jaw but do not over tighten to kill the thread - snug. Take small cuts.
Click to expand...

CAPSCREWMOD.JPG


This worked for me, but that screw didn't spin very true by any stretch of the imagination. Mind you it Isn't exactly a high grade cap screw either.

CAPSCREW.JPG


In any event I managed to turn some wiggle room on the cap screw head such that I know it's not hanging up on the tailstock casting now. Good to go until I can source a set screw.
 
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Well I placed mine directly into the chuck - maybe I should have filmed it - it did feel wrong to do so given the threads. Now as for spinning not true just adjusted it visually till it was no longer exhibiting any visible wobble.

Glad it worked out for you.
 
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