Three Files Same Part Number

[Wamsutta]

I don't get it. Maybe you guys can tell me why the prices are so different between 3 sellers of the same file.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Because...... Ebay......

 

[ChevyEFI]

If you don't know, I recommend you visit each seller's location

 

[djbmw]

I don't get it. Maybe you guys can tell me why the prices are so different between 3 sellers of the same file.

Ever shopped retail?

The price swings in store A vs store B vs store C for the same item can be insane! Here in Canada there's a store called Canadian Tire (more-so household products these days). Generally they list items at 2x or 3x the price of Walmart.

Why? Because people blindly shop there, find an item that they like, and buy it - all without price comparing to other stores.

 

[neophyte]

If those files were made in Mexico, don’t buy them.

 

[four.cycle]

If those files were made in Mexico, don’t buy them.

^ this.

Check Cripe Distributing - he still has a smattering of old NOS U.S.-made Nicholson in stock. (Also Mexico stuff, so check COO when ordering.)
If you order anything through Cripe, order through their website, not through ebay. Be sure to "sign up" to take advantage of their monthly discount. Also remember you're paying freight, so stock up so it's worth your while.

If you can't find what you want there, Pferd currently makes some of the best files on the planet currently.

 

[Wamsutta]

If those files were made in Mexico, don’t buy them.

That's a good point. Maybe the file for $13.99 is made in Mexico. I wanted a genuine Nicholson file made in Brazil.

I should be messaging the sellers and asking for a COO before placing the order.

 

[neophyte]

I specifically mentioned “Mexico” because the Nicholson files that were made in Mexico were completely unusable ****.
The steel used for the Mexican made files seemed yo have had the surface decarburized, preventing the steel from being hardened.
I don’t know whether the grinding/sanding step used after forging was skipped, (this removes the outer decarburized layer of steel), or whether the files were simply heated wrong at some point during manufacture, but it was possible to shave steel off the surface of the Mexican Nicholson files using a Swiss Army knife, which normally should be softer than the file teeth.
I believe Apex/Nicholson realized the issue, and shifted production, or maybe fixed the process somewhat, but the Mexican made files were basically unfit for use on metal.

 

[cmandp]

I've got several Brazilian made Nicholsons. They cut well and hardness seems correct.

My only complaint is they can't seem to keep them nice and straight after heat treatment.