BB tapping sets

[bm0p700f]

I am looking at buying one of these. I am also in the process of wanting to setup a workshop. This tool could be very useful but the park version which I have used is very expensive (£500 of chain reaction) but X-tools do a much cheaper version including all the various tapping threads (english and italian and a facing tool) for £315. Ice Toolz make an even even cheaper version and £280 will get you a tapping tool with various threads (english and italian) and a BB facing tool.

I like the park tool as it looks, feels and operated very nicely indeed but how good are the x-tool and ice toolz (xpert) versions?

Cylco also do a a version but would cost £340 for the BB tapping set and would only come english threads. Cheaper than park though.

So what do the mechanic here think of the altneratives to Park?

Cyclus and Cobra also make these. Ahh too much choice.

 

[kula]

it's a pity that I'm nowhere near suffolk as I'd let you have a frame to test out on. I somethimes (well mainly) think Park is over priced. I mean 40 quid for a chain whip!

 

[coomber]

I have that Ice Toolz basic kit for £40-50 ish. ALl well enough made but not outstanding. Park is overpriced but then it is the best. Every decent bike shop I have been in uses Park so assume thats the best seal of approval too.

 

[mikee]

been a bit disapointed with park stuff
i repaired a couple of work stands for my lbs
part of the toggle system that locks the clamp seemed designed
to fail , no spares available from park either

tracy tools do taps for pretty mush everything , good prices too

http://www.tracytools.com/index.php?rou ... _3&page=10

 

[mikee]

DP

 

[eastsidebikes]

I've got the expensive park, it's great! Wouldn't pay retail for it though

I'd say your choice should reflect what you're planning to do and how often you think you'll do it. Fully equipped home workshop - get the ice-toolz or x-tool one.
If I was buying to set up a shop I'd get separate Cobra tapping and facing tools with ti nitride coating on the taps

Tracy don't stock Italian thread taps, I spoke to them and they said it'd be 100 or so for a set, dropping significantly if I wanted loads of them

 

[tinkerer]

I've got a bb tapping set you can borrow if you want. It's English thread made by Cyclus. I only ended up using it a couple of times (too lazy)!

 

[dbmtb]

Am buying one for my workshop and Cyclus looks dandy...

Otherwise VAR and Unior do nice ones - but the Cyclus one will also face the BB shell.

 

[bm0p700f]

Well I was looking closely at the Cyclus stuff last night and maybe I should get that.

As I intend on setting up proper workshop for repairs (i.e long term I hope it will provide me a living of sorts). As I am a teacher I can easily supplement the income I earn with part time teaching work.

The thing is I don't know how often I will use this tool and at £500 for the park job then it will take a while to pay itself back but it is very nice to use.

I am aware of the Cobra tools but once you have bought the tapping bits they are not a whole lot cheaper than Parks version. I will have to see I can get a look at the Cyclus tools somehow.

 

[dbmtb]

Then get the combined tap/face one. Most frames you build up (and BB repairs on complete ones) will at least need the facing done.