This should be a sticky at top of forum
I don't think so.
If anything, this place needs a sticky that tells guys to give their ####ing heads a shake and to listen to what they hear when they do, every time they insist on buying something from Canada that is cheaper and easier to source elsewhere.
Realistically, if they are not knowledgeable enough to know that they can source taps and dies of any size they want from a real machine tool supplier, simply by knowing what to ask for and being willing to pay, then they likely have no business being near a gun barrel with them.
Being willing to pay, is the key, eh.
Check prices, pay according to need.
Most of the "support Canadian Businesses" lot are forgetting that the Canadian Businesses are by and large, buying from the same sources as can be accessed by the end user, at prices that the end user can pay (Brownells does not cut rate price tools) and marking them up after paying shipping and handling charges. Choose accordingly.
Look in the Yellow Pages, under Machine Tools Supplies, or Tool Supplies Retail. Look online. Know what to actually ask for. Not "I need die to thread my SKS to fit a------", but In need a 1/2"-28tpi die in High Speed Steel.
Everything is available, if the buyer is willing to pay!
But a guy has to be aware of where stuff comes from and how. I buy BA taps and dies from England, because they are a half, to a quarter, of the price I would have to pay here, I buy my cheap taps and dies at CTire, because they are fit for their purpose, which is mainly cleaning out threadlocker and mung from holes in parts, and a fella does not need a thousand dollar tap and die set for that. Nor can a working class dude (or a retired one) afford to keep on hand a set of every size"just in case".
The odd time I need a good quality tap or die, they come at a price, from whatever supplier I can get them from cheapest, to my door. Usually, for gun stuff, that is Brownells. Not always, but they stock a lot of 'specials' that would otherwise cost a bunch. And usually, the screws to match.
Hell, I keep thinking I should be the "Canadian Source", except that I don't need the whining in my life listening to the same guys that go on about buying from a Canadian source, whining about how they are cheaper in the US, or elsewhere.
Don't believe that will happen? Take on look at the whiny snivels from guys that think every seller at a gun show should sell stuff for less than it's worth, and you will know the truth of it!
KBC Tools has a great catalog, worth getting, if you do any metalwork.
Thomas Skinner and Sons too. They are more of a Western Canada supplier, but they do mail order well enough.
Pretty much all the retailers have a flock of 'other' suppliers, that will only deal to the retail trade, outfits like Sowa Tools, for example, that supply cutting tools of all types. If you an get a Sowa Catalog, you can usually order through the retailer.
Toronto area metalwork guys and gals, the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show, CMTS, is coming up. Worth going to the big stink for, IMO. Good place to get onto the catalog mailing lists of many many suppliers! The one in Edmonton runs on IIRC, alternating years, is a bit smaller, but still a good opportunity to see what is out there and who the suppliers are.
Cheers
Trev
