MTFCA Forum

No connection;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226158437796?

About the going rate

T-181 is rare and always expensive, but I don't think I've seen it priced this high before. I'll have to get by with just a thread file until one of these turns up at an auction where I'm the only one who knows what it is.

That's a bit like how i scored mine Steve. It was at a swap meet, $20. The vendor I didn't know what it was, and neither did I at the time, but the Stevens brand and the T 181 number ticked some boxes, so I bought it anyway and found out what it was later.

Allan from down under.

The question is “ Is this a real one or is it a reproduction.”

Fortunately I don’t have the collector gene and just view this as a tool. I’ve used an OTC thread chaser for over 30 years.
Andy

Nice score ...but...kind of like an HCCT. At $400 or so, it was an idea for 'someday' on a just because basis. At 675-800 it was but a nice to have and usually a walk on by. At now 1000+ it's a pfft for me (besides it's weighing a ton. I also know a guy who has one!). Told myself I would build one with modern iron when I retired...it somehow never made the list.

I'm with Andy on 'the task at hand'...

I have never been fortunate to find a T181 in a bucket at a meet. Bought the OTC version like Andy shows years ago...it works and works well...WHEN...you know how to use it as it feels clumsy and off balance on rear hubs until you do know.

Have used both. The Stevens tool, like their tools works much better.

I have the same tool as Andy shows. Works fine for me. Now if I came across the Stevens tool for a really low price with decent cutting dies, I would sure go for it. That is how I got my axle sleeve tool, it was a great price, and I knew what it was seller didn't. Told him, not that he cared, what it was after paying for it.

That’s the “got to have it really bad price”.
That’s one of tools that winds up in an odds and ends bucket of old iron small parts at a swap meet or flea market.
You would have to know what you’re looking for to find it. The Model T pan straightening jig is another Model T tool that’s been overlooked and sold for scrap iron. But it is great that the Steve’s Tools have survived and that’s a great thing. My opinion

That is an original T-181. I made the repos. I know the difference.

I clicked the link here to view it and now e bay is sending me emails to bid on it.

"T-181 is rare and always expensive, but I don't think I've seen it priced this high before."

I think Glen Chaffin was asking $1000 for one a year or two ago. Dont think it sold.

This one is absolutely an original, right down to the knurled round nut that clamps the handle. Looks to be in excellent condition.

Allan from down under.

I was going to buy it until I noticed the extra $6.73 shipping and handling.

bobt wrote: ↑

Sat May 25, 2024 5:17 am

I was going to buy it until I noticed the extra $6.73 shipping and handling.

Bob, it's just a short trip over the Afton "Hill" from you in Waynesboro. Give the Ruxel a workout! And then I know who to visit when I need one!

Jeez, Bob, $6.73?? My S&h here was almost $100, which is why I passed...

For a T181? Damn, buy it and smuggle it here!!!! --grins--

Several years ago one of the guys in Europe posted photos of his home made version. It was quite impressive, and I bought an old ⅜" die at a swap meet to cut up and make one.That's one of those "some day" projects. I guess I need to brush up on electric welding and get busy.

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Sat May 25, 2024 11:33 am

Several years ago one of the guys in Europe posted photos of his home made version. It was quite impressive, and I bought an old ⅜" die at a swap meet to cut up and make one.That's one of those "some day" projects. I guess I need to brush up on electric welding and get busy.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1505753289

I know they are rare, but for a tool that you may use only once or a few times in your lifetime (unless you restore Model T's for a living and would use it on every one of them) it would be an expensive seldom used tool. Now, if a large T club had a loaner tool collection for its members, it might be just the tool they are missing from the collection.

Here's a tip never buy from someone that knows what they have I bought one of these from a guy at a meet with all chevy stuff 15.00 out the door the ford screw driver was a buck from a guy selling old tools cheers Colin

I do not lend mine to anyone. I will use it myself on their wheels if they want me to. I figure if they bust/mess it up, they won't like to replace it. There is a trick to using it correctly, just as there is when threading a hubcap on. The big advantage is it is fitted to the good thread at the back of the hub, and that is the guide for the tool as it is wound off the thread, cleaning up any damage as it goes. You can also adjust the depth of cut taken. This helps when working with heavier damage. Start with a looser fit and work from there with subsequent cuts.

Prior to finding the tool, I had sometimes turned off the thread on the outside of the hub for a few turns to get rid of damaged sections. There is still plenty of thread left for the hubcap to engage.

Allan from down under.

...never buy from someone that knows what they have...

The best buys I have ever made were when I was the only one there who knew what was being sold.

One disappears, another appears.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/335419832475

Isn't that the same one with a lower price ?

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 01, 2024 3:50 pm

Isn't that the same one with a lower price ?

No. The one from the original post was in Virginia, this one is listed in Texas. Some parts and tools, I buy them when I see them, but for the most part my belief is that another bus will be along in a little while, I can wait for the next one.

The EBay cruisers check out Ebay for the highest price of an item they want to list. This goes for any type of item that’s a brand name or popular. Ebay prices are pretty much the standard used UNLESS the unsuspecting poster posts an item didn’t do a checking out of what they sell for. And sometimes a sleeper item shows up and suddenly everybody wants one! This is what happened to the Stevens Hub re-threader. It’s been around here and there for years and then somebody finally recognized it for what it was!

Thanks for the correction Joe - didn't bother to check the locality ! Mine's looking pretty good on my Model T tool board !