Thread: Travelling to US from Aus, what to bring back?

Originally Posted by FlaminGunz

I have a friend travelling to the US and back from Aus. As everything is more expensive here...wondering what would be worthwhile to bring back.


I'd love a tablesaw or jointer...but sadly would need to be only a few kg's and capable of fitting into checked luggage.


Would be buying online with a credit card and posting to a hotel, so can't really do the second-hand option.


Any suggestions??

Depends on what you need and what you want. Personally i just order stuff on Amazon. We until next july, then the tax allowance goes from $1000 to only $300.

Veritas planer i guess is one option for you.

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Sorry to hijack this thread a bit, but how do you factor in the different power point situation? I mean i have a CPAP machine from the US and just use one of those travel plugs at home... would buying a thicknesser from the US require something more substantial?

something for Flamingunz to consider as well potentially if like me you aren't up to speed with electrical stuff...

Anything that uses a motor in its operation would require a voltage correcting transformer in Australia.

Electronic equipment may be universal voltage but highly unlikely in woodworking equipment.

If you want to bring in any tools then buy hand tools or battery operated tools for which you may already have or can get the battery charger. Some battery chargers are universal voltage so it may pay to check.

Some airlines may have restrictions on lithium batteries so it pays to check in advance.

The best bet is probably accessories for tools that you already have that are not readily available or expensive in Australia.

Originally Posted by Bohdan

Anything that uses a motor in its operation would require a voltage correcting transformer in Australia.

Electronic equipment may be universal voltage but highly unlikely in woodworking equipment.

If you want to bring in any tools then buy hand tools or battery operated tools for which you may already have or can get the battery charger. Some battery chargers are universal voltage so it may pay to check.

Some airlines may have restrictions on lithium batteries so it pays to check in advance.

The best bet is probably accessories for tools that you already have that are not readily available or expensive in Australia.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the initial thoughts! Yes I was thinking more in the handtool realm - concerned for electrical, weight, potential DOA etc.

That being said, I don't currently have a workshop....future planning

My thoughts are things like plane blades, sanding belts, maybe a chisel set etc

As many things from Rockler, Lee Valley tools etc as you can muster.

Originally Posted by FlaminGunz

Thanks for the initial thoughts! Yes I was thinking more in the handtool realm - concerned for electrical, weight, potential DOA etc.

That being said, I don't currently have a workshop....future planning

My thoughts are things like plane blades, sanding belts, maybe a chisel set etc

in reality you are probably better advised to invest in building your workshop.
The hand tools you really need -- which is different to the hand tools you'd really like -- can only be ascertained after working with them for a while.

Based on that, my suggestion would be some Starrett layout tools

IMO unless you're travelling yourself and willing to be potentially stuffed around its probably not worth it. especially if your friend is only going to be happy to lug a few kg's around. Issues with freight, stuff being lost in transit, stuff being bent as a result of being shoved in a suitcase etc isn't worth the hassle IMO.

As others have said know what you really want based on what you plan on making, save up and do a bulk order online. Often times it can still be significantly cheaper than buying locally.

Agree with above. Otherwise Lie Nielsen, Starrett (much cheaper in US), Veritas, woodpeckers stuff (if you like it - extremely prohibitive shipping cost) and maybe DMT diamond stones which I think are a lot cheaper but generally don't ship direct to Au.

There might also be some quirky but useful things to look out for. Scotch Blue painters tape for instance if you use it, currently around $8 at the Green shed US$2.88 at Walmart. Always useful to stroll around Walmart checking out prices for small but expensive daily consumables just before you fly home.

If you're building up your tools, can I suggest marking, measuring, layout, and sharpening equipment? Maybe a Starrett combination square, 48" or as long as can be wrangled straight edge, bevel gauge, sharpening stones (pick your poison, waterstone, ceramic stones, diamond plates), bevel gauge, morticing gauge, marking gauge, and if you can swing it maybe a nice dovetail saw. That'll be a kg or two and you'll be set with the fundamentals to use with any other tools you want.

If you could only bring back one item, make it a Starrett 30cm/12" combo square. These things are a joy to use - and accurately marking out is really important for good joinery.

I have done this a few times myself and saved a fortune. I normall look at the little things like router bit sets (freud) forstener bits, hole saws, clamps, cookies, fearherboards, etc although one time I did pick up a nail gun at 80% off what Oz retailers wanted for it.

All via Amazon. Best online store ever.

One thing to watch out for is that the big hotels will charge you a fee for handling delivery. Sometimes higher then the actual postal costs

Thanks all for the tips and ideas!
Yes I found a few on Amazon but will read into what's via Amazon itself or resellers, don't know exactly how that works.

So far on my list:

DMT Plates - Quite a saving
Marking Knife
Starret Square
Calipers
Plane Blades
Dial Indicator

A couple of Fastcap measuring tapes wouldn't go astray either. They have a 5m tape in metric, left and right reading with 32mm markings for Euro cabinet hardware. It's not quite up to the Aussie made Lufkin which has an inside measure scale, but for the price they're terrific. You can get them in a flat back tape too, great for curved surfaces. Fastcap also have peel and stick tapes which are great for mitre saw fences or even sticking across the front of your workbench - I'm forever hunting for tape measures, it makes sense to permanently attach them where you work most often.