Nicholson File Deal (Amazon) - Feedback

[Butters]

For those who don't know, low_crew_cab posted in the Hot Deals Thread about super cheap Nicholson Files on Amazon (http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1415349&postcount=4205). In short, sets that were close to $100 were selling for under $10 but with shipping dates several weeks out. This led people to wonder whether these were in fact US made files. This great deal has really monopolized the Hot Deals thread for the last month.

Fast forward to this week, and people are beginning to receive their files, myself included. So I'm hoping to give some detailed feedback here without further derailing the Hot Deals Thread.

I received the 9 piece Maintenance Set (paid $9.24, it now lists for $78.29) today. Regardless of COO, this is a great deal. As it turns out, 4 of the files are US made, and the others are from Brazil, Mexico and Columbia. The US made ones are clearly superior, at least in appearance. I haven't tested any of them yet. But here are some detailed pics:

The set:

I don't know if the pics show it as clearly, but in real life the quality of the US made ones was immediately visible. (The flat files with the darkened handles are the US made ones). Here's a closeup of the three bigger US ones:

The cuts and finish of the foreign ones is obviously inferior. But I can't tell you whether their performance or durability are inferior (although I am assuming so).

6" Slim Taper file from Mexico:

Sample of the others:

Any way you slice it, a great deal for under $10. But if I paid list price and it only included the foreign made files, I would be really upset.

 

[HandyManny]

I've used an array of Nicholson files. I prefere them to others based on price, availability, and overall quality. A lot of their stuff is imported now, but a few are still USA made. They do what they are supposed to. To me files are like screwdrivers and hacksaw blades, disposable, they aren't meant to last forever under regular use. They eventually wear out.

 

[MattT]

The Mexican one looks terrible. If I'd paid list price and received that I'd go ballistic.

The others with untempered looking tangs don't look bad but the lack of tempering is troubling. I'd test the tang hardness before use and if they really are full hardened I'd temper them myself.

 

[MrMark]

I ordered this set but have not received it yet. Four files for 10 is still a great deal; that's the best way to look at it. This appears to be the end of the U.S. file production. Thanks for posting.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Thanks for posting, but now I am upset with myself for not knowing about this deal. Damn.

 

[Weps]

ok..i got in a little late to the deal. i have a good supply of files - nicholson and grobet mainly, so i'm not particularly invested in the outcome.

as it is, i ordered three sets. the five piece handyman set, the four piece thread file set, and an ergo handled set.

the handyman set arrived with one usa made file and four foreign and obviously of a different level of workmanship.

the thread files arrived today. all usa made. i was very pleased.

waiting on ergo handles.

so...my experience is similar to yours. good quality. some sketchy. at the prices paid though, it's hard to complain and not worth my time to send anything back to amazon. overall a big win for the hot deals thread!!

 

[MadMark]

is anyone getting an extra machinist set that they would sell to me.
I actually am a part time machinist.

 

[Joe B.]

Ok, so I bought four different sets that had the three following adjectives in the names:
1) "General Purpose"
2) "Maintenance"
3) "Machinist"

Is there any difference between the individual files that are otherwise the same length and configuration based on the designations above?

I guess I will find out soon enough.

 

[Joe B.]

Another file question:

What is the difference between Swiss Pattern & American Pattern files? From looking on the web, American Pattern are most general files while Swiss is just very thing or needle files? Is anything else going on here that I'm missing?

 

[fr0mastaj]

is anyone getting an extra machinist set that they would sell to me.
I actually am a part time machinist.

As a matter of fact, yes! That's actually kind of why I bought one of each deal... in case some people missed out. Just got this today, not sure why the picture came out kind of weird...but all brand new.

I don't want any extra money for it... I paid $9, you can have it for $9 + whatever it costs to ship. Not sure if it will fit in one of those flat rate boxes (haven't shipped things in ages) - the box would need to be at minimum 13" long...

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[BJ42LX]

I'd like to know who's taking the bath on this one. Amazon or Nicholson?

Sure, Amazon sold these for < $10 each. But where did the pricing error actually happen? There's a ton of pricing at Amazon that's automated. If Nicholson messed up their supplier pricing Amazon could have passed it on automagically.

 

[HandyManny]

The Mexican one looks terrible. If I'd paid list price and received that I'd go ballistic.

The others with untempered looking tangs don't look bad but the lack of tempering is troubling. I'd test the tang hardness before use and if they really are full hardened I'd temper them myself.

The files themselves are tempered and hardend, but brittle. The tangs are supposed to be annealed. The tang simply goes into a seperatley purchased handle. Never had a tang break from normal use in my experience. I suppose if you decide to use them as a prybar, but that's a whole other story.

 

[MattT]

The tangs are supposed to be annealed.

Correct. Bad choice of words on my part. The files didn't have temper colors so I said temper instead. And the main body of good files is typically thru' hardened with no temper.

 

[cdseven95]

I received mine ... The US ones are of very high quailty... The others are decent enough for what they are going to be used for.

 

[alex71]

If anyone wants NOS US Made Nicholson files, I still have a lot left. Link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85424

 

[Stuey]

I'd like to know who's taking the bath on this one. Amazon or Nicholson?

Sure, Amazon sold these for < $10 each. But where did the pricing error actually happen? There's a ton of pricing at Amazon that's automated. If Nicholson messed up their supplier pricing Amazon could have passed it on automagically.

Who said that these are errors? Amazon has done some strange things with pricing in order to move stagnant inventory.

 

[BJ42LX]

Who said that these are errors? Amazon has done some strange things with pricing in order to move stagnant inventory.

I don't know there was a pricing error. But with 1 month lead time I'm pretty sure this isn't stagnent inventory in Amazon's warehouses.

 

[t100]

where were those shipped from?

 

[cdseven95]

where were those shipped from?

They seem to block were it came from originally... But it was in a amazon box with a PA return address...

Chelmsford, MA, United States 04/07/2011 6:28 P.M. Delivered
04/07/2011 8:10 A.M. Out For Delivery
Chelmsford, MA, United States 04/06/2011 1:29 P.M. Destination Scan
04/06/2011 1:28 P.M. Origin Scan
United States 04/06/2011 3:48 A.M. Order Processed: Ready for UPS

 

[BJ42LX]

Holy **** it's back:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T4K1O6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$9.53

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TDIMD0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$8.95

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R1LOAQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$8.48

 

[srmofo]

Thanks for posting, but now I am upset with myself for not knowing about this deal. Damn.

Looks like the Nicholson deal is back on!


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T4K1O6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$9.53

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TDIMD0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$8.95

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R1LOAQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$8.48

For those that missed it or dont follow the hot deals

 

[Ritter4.0]

Time to get some more files to replace some of my Task Force ones.

 

[soj]

I ordered the thread file set last week for $11.13. It is awaiting shipment, est. delivery Apr 9-May 19. Other, non-related items on the same order have already shipped. They have changed the price to $60.10 (Amazon) or 39.88 from an Amazon seller.

Don't know how I missed the other file sets mentioned in this thread, but thanks for bringing it to my attention. I just ordered two different machinist sets and a maintenance set with handles. One machinist set shows a file brush in the pic, then the description lists 5 files, then says it is a 7 file set with brush ... who knows, whatever I get it will be worth $8.95... I hope!

I just checked the same part # on Granger and it sells for $112.00! They list 7 files, a cleaner and pouch.

 

[soj]

Holy **** it's back:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T4K1O6/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$9.53

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TDIMD0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$8.95

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001R1LOAQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
$8.48

These all sell for over $100.00 at Granger.com, except the $8.48 one, which isn't listed at Granger. The best deal is the one with handles, it sells for $141.50.

Get 'em while you can!!

There is also this one.
$9.24

 

[route246]

Thanks. Just ordered this one, too.

These all sell for over $100.00 at Granger.com, except the last one, which isn't listed at Granger. The best deal is the one with handles, it sells for $141.50.

Get 'em while you can!!

There is also this one.
$9.24

 

[Lhorn]

Damn, that is a ridiculous deal. Thanks. I got the ones with handles. Others were a great deal, but no matter how cheap, I only need so many files.

 

[low_crew_cab]

Well it's good to see people getting their sets. I think mine are due for arrival tomorrow and monday for a few other sets. As for the quality i'll live with it for those prices. At least there's a few US made ones thrown into the mix. Thanks for posting pics.

 

[brimorga]

I get my ergo handled set tomorrow. I'll post where they are from, assuming someone else doesn't beat me to it.

 

[obsessive]

Can someone explain the difference between a maintenance file and a machinist file?

Or are the sets the same, except one has handles and one doesn't?

 

[reptilezs]

just ordered the set with handles. joined prime for free with my edu email too

 

[Defender Chassis]

Got mine today.

I am very happy as well will my friends be when they get their gifts.

 

[mooman]

I still have not received mine yet.

Not yet shipped
Delivery Estimate: April 19, 2011 - May 4, 2011

 

[Major Ramifications]

A special thanks to srmofo, who was kind enought to PM me on this subject. Now I too will be getting a bunch of files that I really don't need, but I am still grateful.

 

[dsan]

I ordered some. Good looking out garagejournal.com family.

 

[MrSnicks]

Prices on all sets just went back up to normal.

Patrick

 

[d33pt]

damn missed it again!

 

[soj]

Yep, it's over.

I had put the 9 piece maintenance set in my cart last night, thinking I might get some more for gifts today, when I went back to my cart I got this message:

We're sorry. The item SEPTLS18322030N - 9-Piece Maintenance File Sets is no longer available from the seller you selected. We've moved it to the Saved Items section of your Shopping Cart. To see if it's available from another seller, click here to return to the item's product detail page.

I have checked all of the sets that were less than $10 from Amazon yesterday and today they are all still available, but "Ships from and sold by xxxxxx". None are still available from Amazon at the great prices. Last night I said, "Get 'em while you can", today it's "It was good while it lasted".

 

[PBCampbell]

I just recieved 4 more sets(9 pc maint. set(missing 1 file), 5 pc general set, 7 pc machinist set, 8 pc machinist set). These are in addition to 4 pc thread set and 5 pc general set(with handles). Thread files and flat files are all USA, 3 corner taper files are Mexico, half-round, round, & square files are Brazil, and the shoe rasp is Columbia. Still waiting on the 9 pc maint set with handles. All in all a fantastic deal. Thanks again, Patrick

 

[route246]

I got all four deals posted here last night. They are showing:

Not yet shipped
Delivery Estimate: May 4, 2011 - May 18, 2011

If any or all show up and don't get cancelled I will be major happy. Amazon is usually pretty good about these things, unlike amazon marketplace sellers who tend to cancel deals like this.

 

[Jeff]

I received the 9-piece set today. I will take some macro images and post them in a couple of hours.