Thread: Help wanted with a US tool purchase.

OK, the goodies have arrived. Batteries supplied are 1.5AH and the charger will charge them from flat. Previous calculation for transformer size was based on charging 3AH in 15minutes, but the charger charges 3AH in 22 minutes.

Anyway charger is 110V 240 Watt, so a 250VA transformer is adequate for running a single charger.

Radio Parts, Spencer St West Melb do a well packaged one for about $75.00. http://www.radioparts.com.au/ProdVie...oduct=54153216. Can do better prices for bulk purchases.

I got one of these for the same purpose http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Voltaic-500W-...QQcmdZViewItem
500W is larger than theoretically needed but figured the transformer will not be operating close to its limits. Besides I can then power my 115V Makita radio that came in the kit at the same time

Seriously though, vendor was VERY fast. Ordered and it arrived 36 hours later. Seems ok from what I could see, standard toroidal transformer ... oh and a volt meter on the front, quite why I have no idea, but it looks impressive.

Guys there is an Aussie girl (Kim) in California whose business revolves around shipping items bought in the USA and onshipping to Australia.
It's mainly been set us to service women buying cosmetics and the like (to save money same as us with tools). The customer service reports have all been glowing and being an Aussie she knows Australia well and probably has a good volume of freight moving and may have good rates.

http://tiedupwithstring.bravehost.com/

So if you'd like your tools to arrive nicely wrapped and perhaps with a ribbon try Kim. She also offers a payment system as not sure how you have all gone with buying tools but quite a few USA online companies also have problems with non USA credit cards.

Ooops see on the main page she's closing Feb 1.... 2008. It's a great service concept.. sort of like a reverse EBay drop shop.

John

Originally Posted by MelbMan

Guys there is an Aussie girl (Kim) in California whose business revolves around shipping items bought in the USA and onshipping to Australia.
It's mainly been set us to service women buying cosmetics and the like (to save money same as us with tools). The customer service reports have all been glowing and being an Aussie she knows Australia well and probably has a good volume of freight moving and may have good rates.

http://tiedupwithstring.bravehost.com/

So if you'd like your tools to arrive nicely wrapped and perhaps with a ribbon try Kim. She also offers a payment system as not sure how you have all gone with buying tools but quite a few USA online companies also have problems with non USA credit cards.

John

Pity it shuts forever on 1 Feb 2008. Would have been useful

Originally Posted by Pete F

For those considering buying from the USA, I just bought a Makita LXT700 combo kit from a store there, the total cost including tax was about AUS$785. The US DC18RA charger is DEFINITELY 120V only, however it will work on 50 or 60Hz so a stepdown transformer is all needed. The charger is rated at 240W input.

Gudday Pete F, I'm in the market for a LXT700 kit and was just curious as to who you purchased off. Also curious that you say "including tax" as no customs or tax is payable for amounts under $1000.

Originally Posted by CC&C

Gudday Pete F, I'm in the market for a LXT700 kit and was just curious as to who you purchased off. Also curious that you say "including tax" as no customs or tax is payable for amounts under $1000.

My job takes me to the States regularly so I walked in to a store called Costco which is basically a membership discount store. The taxes I paid were local taxes. Some smaller stores will waive the local (US) taxes if you tell them you're exporting, but unfortunately the large stores often just drag out the procedures manual and shrug their shoulders.

Home Depot presently have the 2 piece 18V Li Drill/driver and impact driver kit for US$269 (plus California taxes). Someone remind me again why we're paying so much for the same thing in Oz. Failing convincing the wife to take a US holiday, another option you could look into is buying through e-bay. I've seen that kit on there regularly. Don't forget to factor in another 100 bucks or so for the stepdown transformer to convert to 230V

Originally Posted by Pusser

Pity it shuts forever on 1 Feb 2008. Would have been useful

Hey guys, I've been using a similar parcel forward service that you mentioned. I've made about 5 or so purchases from them, and they are pretty good. They'll send things to you that you want to get from the U.s. http://www.worldpurchases.com
They are Aussies who now live in the States.