Normal or Acceptable?

[Phil3]

Please see the pic attached.

It is one of two hardened steel rods used in a Forster Co-Ax press. I asked Forster about the heavy scratches in the rods and sent them the same pic attached here. Normal or...? I was told no, that is not normal, and they asked I send the press back. I did. Forster called today and said in so many words, they despite the photo, they thought it would be worse than this and basically considered it normal (I think it is worse in person). I was told these rods are like the rods used in hydraulic cylinders finished to a "6" (whatever that is) and because they are so finely finished, any scratches show up easily. Really. And I guess that includes scratches (gouges) so deep I can catch my fingernail on them? Forster dodged this observation. I know it is a tool, and the press does operate smoothly, so can not argue with that, but the idea that these rods are even in the same ball park as hydraulic cylinder rods is laughable and it is disappointing Forster even attempts to make that comparison. Hard to accept a product with polished steel rods that look like they have been dragged through a bore with sand in it.

Forster is going to replace the rods, and am hopeful the result is better than what I first saw. From their tone, I am not so confident. The person I spoke to was Robert, who said he was one of the owners.

I contacted a couple of other Forster owners. They said their rods are glass smooth and do not look like this. Other Forster owners care to weigh in?

- Phil

[gunboat]

That is not just a "surface" scatch -- It may be quite funtional but has obviously been damaged in assembly or operation. Polished out they may work fine. How does a "hardened" shaft gouge that easily? - my ha-penny

[Desert_Rat]

Itlooks like it had some dirt or grime on it while operating or a burr on t he "female" portion.I see scratches worse than that on hydraulic cylinders all of the time.If it moves smoothly I wouln't sweat it

[Phil3]

It works smoothly, but note the marks extend clear to the end of the rods, of which a couple of inches never move through the frame.

- Phil

[Desert_Rat]

It works smoothly, but note the marks extend clear to the end of the rods, of which a couple of inches never move through the frame.

- Phil

If that's the case and the rosd were not scratched like that during assembly at your house,then it must have happendat the mfg. If it bothers You get them replaced.Doesn't seem like a big deal to me,but then again mine is not scratched either.

[Phil3]

No assembly at my house...it came out of the box ready to run, and as seen in the pics.

- Phil

[sv_1]

It's good to know that they are going to make a customer happy.

A few 1000 rounds into that press and you'll laugh that that bothered you. There is much more to worry about, but I bet your attention to detail will pay off. Just don't go into analysis paralysis

[Phil3]

I tend to try and buy the best, without going into the unaffordable or unneeded, so it really bothers me that when I buy a higher end tool (Forster), and find the quality lacking and not living up to the reputation (and price). I mean, I am OK with a $25 digital caliper not feeling super precise, or being flawlessly executed, but I will expect that with a Mitutoyo or Starrett.

You are right, I have plenty else to concern myself over. I have lots more equipment coming in, and hopefully that will all be good. Much of it is Sinclair, which I understand is of generally high quality. I am over analysis paralysis. I did a lot of that, but now time to buy. X-mas time!

- Phil

[gunboat]

If, there are no lumps at the ends of the scratches it will probably function fine -- scratches carry a bit more lube :-)

[r08ert209cali]

has no effect on the way it works I would not worry about it on a say $90-$120 press but on a $250 forstner I would be pissed and make them fix it as well.