When this came I thought they'd sent me a track pump by mistake:

and check out the quality of this drilling on the Hope mandrel:

Looks fairly standard for a deepish drilled (non reamed) hole in mild steel to me

Why does it need to be any better quality? Cheap and fast it will not effect its use or quality.

Yup, tis a normal quick deep drilling. Does it affect the product performance?

Looks fairly standard for a deepish drilled (non reamed) hole in mild steel to me

it's just in marked contrast to the outside which is satin polished and laser etched with the Hope logo. I know it doesn't matter as the bore just gives clearance to the axle. It looks as if they used a blunt 'drill'.

Does it affect the product performance?

neither does the high quality finishing on the outside…

It's a handlebar box i think..
useful size if ever you sell something on to someone.

Its just drilled for, as you say, clearance. No need to waste time/money getting a better surface finish.
Btw, I received one of those pumps from crc last week, its a beast, well pleased with it 😀

two of the lads in our group have the same pump..
very effective bit of kit..

I suspect they dont have a box that fits the Topeak pump and a hope mandrel exactly, so the one you have was the nearest in size.
You should have a look on the register and search for over packaging if you want to see how to do it properly.

neither does the high quality finishing on the outside…

You call that high quality?

You really shouldn't start threads if you don't know what you are talking about

what is a mandrel

"You really shouldn't start threads if you don't know what you are talking about"

this is stw we're talkign about…

You call that high quality?

well, it seems I don't see the kind of bespoke engineering you're accustomed to, but I thought the outside looked quite neat for something I was going to belt repeatedly with a hammer 🙂

You really shouldn't start threads if you don't know what you are talking about

surely that would be setting a new precedant ?

what is a mandrel

something like a tool for assembling things

wiki says "object used to shape machined work; a tool component that grips or clamps materials to be machined; or a tool component that can be used to grip other moving tool components."

in which case perhaps I should have called it a drift ?

"What is a mandrel"

Isn't it a monkey/ape with a brightly coloured face?

A

This is a mandrill isn't it?

I though it was a type of duck.

lol

You should have a look on the register and search for over packaging if you want to see how to do it properly.

My particular favourite, puts CRC to shame…

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/18/hp_packaging/

This is another good one – http://www.bitterwallet.com/more-packaging-disasters-size-isnt-everything/24811

My particular favourite, puts CRC to shame…

yes, I'd seen that one, and it is shocking 🙁

I would call that a drift! How much was that "drift" mr barnes? That looks like a four year old with a hobby lathe could make it.

HOw much was that "drift" mr barnes?

£9.99 for the two 🙁 Shocking I know, but they do work far better than using a socket…

well, it seems I don't see the kind of bespoke engineering you're accustomed to, but I thought the outside looked quite neat for something I was going to belt repeatedly with a hammer

I'm guessing the laser/engraving doesn't cost much, the finish is otherwise "basic" IMO

the finish is otherwise "basic" IMO

I'll take your word for that, however, the surface is ribbed for extra pleasure 🙂

fairly practical manufacturing really – The outside diameter has been turned for a good size match foe the bearing (hard to buy steel bar exactly the right size, though it looks like they've got close – they've just 'cleaned up' the diameter). drill a hole through the middle for clearance, bob's your uncle. £10 quid end user price for two is pretty reasonable really.

oh, and it looks like the laser marking was done quickly in a static position rather than rotating it to keep the laser focused – see the 's)' is barely visible at the end of 'bearings)', and the Hope logo is dark on the 'OP' of HOPE and gets lighter towards the edges… because the laser is going out of focus as the material drops away.

because the laser is going out of focus as the material drops away.

I think that was the depth of field of the camera and reflection from the edges of the etching – on inspection the lettering is sharp all the way round