I have just ordered some bits this morning from Gloster tooling. Retail therapy.
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Gloster-Tooling__W0QQ_armrsZ1Great service from them, ordered 10 o'clock, had an email saying it was dispatched at 11am. I will get it first thing in the morning.
They are a very good supplier, but a little limited in what they carry. It is the only place I have found that do the ball raced nuts for ER collet systems. Some good prices, especially for certain collets.
Chronos is a dead loss if you go for the free carriage option, it can turn up weeks later, and their website is way out of date with regards to stock control. You can order something, pay for it online, then get a phone call saying what you have ordered is out of stock. Then it is about another week before you get the money refunded. That is what happened this morning when I ordered a D1-4 backplate from them. So I went to Gloster tooling, and paid a couple of squid extra.
RDG is getting a little expensive over the last year or so, ever since they moved to new premises. But still have a few bargains. The backplate I was after was more expensive, and their carrier is unable to get overnight delivery to me, even though they say it will be. A day wasted, waiting in for delivery that never seems to turn up on time.
Arc Euro, even though limited in what they carry, are good, honest and fast suppliers, with a true overnight delivery, and very reasonable prices. If it is only a small part, the overnight carriage is very small, whereas most others charge full wack. They have really got their act together with regards to shipping. They also carry a few bits of tooling that is specially commissioned for them, and unavailable elsewhere.
I have tried most of the others for the hobby market, and most leave a lot to be desired, but I do use a couple of 'industrial' ones, that do seem expensive at the time, but every so often they have offers you just can't refuse, or that special tool you just can't get anywhere else.
John