Which tools from the USA?

[NickWelford]

I'm visiting the USA in a couple of weeks, and wondered if there are any real bargains that are worth picking up over there and carrying back. I can have mail order delivered to relatives where I am staying.

 

[marcros]

transtint dyes and dmt diamond stones would be my choices.

Lie Nielsen and Veritas is worth getting too, if you want things, but they are not cheap, so it probably isnt worth buying things just because they are cheaper- a plane is still going to cost you a lot more than a stanley or record, if you know what I mean.

Do bare in mind that some of the free shipping offers can take a week to get to an address. shop sooner rather than later- I have had people tell me that they are going with work and it being too short notice to get things!! I am quite lucky that I work for an American company, so there is often somebody coming over or going over.

 

[DiscoStu]

Im off there in a couple of weeks. I'll be looking to see of any Ryobi One+ is going cheap - it was last time I was over - a few months back.

 

[Mark A]

Im going over there in September. I have my eye on some DMT diamond stones and a Leatherman multitool (and possibly some power tools if there's still room in the suitcases).

The DMT stones are about 1/3 of the price here.

 

[sneggysteve]

Not wanting to throw a dampener on things but just to remind everyone, if you exceed your duty free allowance, you will be liable for import duty and vat - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving ... gnoneu.htm

 

[Glynne]

I was tempted to buy some Incra jigs when I was in Florida but never made it to the shops - minor event of my son getting married got in the way.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Find a large Sears store and be like a kid in a sweet shop. Craftsman tooling is good quality - don't forget tax is added at purchase and does not show on the price tag.

Regards Mick

 

[pcb1962]

If you have a Domino there are a number of accessories available in the US that are not so easy/cheap to get hold of here.

 

[merlin]

How about a Stiletto titanium hammer ... I bought one and a nail bar a few years ago and it is great piece of kit.

Merlin

 

[Rhossydd]

Not wanting to throw a dampener on things but just to remind everyone, if you exceed your duty free allowance, you will be liable for import duty and vat

Even if you do pay that it can be cheaper than buying in the UK if you're travelling there anyway.
Plus there's kit available there that simply doesn't make it here without the hassles of personal importation.

 

[Rhossydd]

Never having been to the USA, but thinking I may go sometime in the not too distant future, where do you buy specialist woodworking tools from ?
Is there a specific chain like Axminster in the UK or do you need to start wading through magazines to find local dealers? Are there discounters that need seeking out ?

 

[NickWelford]

Big chains like lowe's and sears do a good selection of general tools. They are everywhere. Smaller specialised dealers need to be searched out, but you can do so online.
Lots of good suggestions here, folks. Thanks very much.
The other thing I so quite often when visiting the colonies is to buy on ebay and have them deliver to my relative's address ready for me to pick up. Yard sales are good too.

 

[marcros]

one thing that i have found is that the likes of woodcraft and rockler keep a good range of general things, but if you want some of the more specialist veritas items (in particular) (eg some of the panel clamps), they probably need shipping, sometimes directly from Lee Valley. Home Depot is worth a look- I got some Bessey pipe clamps from there or Lowes (I cant remember which I used in the end).

If you have the advantage of being able to use ebay and sending to a US address first, it is certainly worth looking for some bits on there.

 

[Harbo]

The States is a very big country and you'll be extremely lucky to visit a location with a specialist supplier nearby, so the best option is mail order?
I've had stuff delivered to my hotel in good time, but always contacted the hotel to ask if that's OK.
My daughter and family lived in Toronto for a year, so visiting LV there was like entering Alladin's Cave!

Rod

 

[The Wood Butcher]

Woodcraft stores are all over the US and usually have a pretty impressive range of specialist woodworking tools. Lee Valley if you are in Canada, Highland Woodworking if you are in Atlanta, Tools For Working Wood if you are in Brooklyn/New York. Home Depot is always worth a look, they are particularly cheap for Empire's excellent spirit levels.

I'd suggest if you are into hand tools any of those, except for Home Depot, are excellent sources.