Thread: Recommendations on things to get while in the US

Originally Posted by BobL

Several times when I have been to the US and purchased tools that would send me over the duty free limit I have just gone out and bought a small hard plastic tool box and put some of the lighter tools in them and sent that back by post. I usually take all the tools out of their packaging, since this saves weight and and you can fit a lot more in that way, and kept all the instructions and smaller bits likely to get lost packed up in ziplock bags in my luggage. Another thing to know is that if you are near the duty free limit, tools that have been used (i.e. are out of their packaging and show a couple of rub marks) are for duty purposes devalued by 20% so if you are near the limit this should be enough to get you over the line. What the customs guys are really looking out for are the eedjets that bring back a number of the same expensive items and it's obvious that they are not for personal use.

We will visit you in prison.

Originally Posted by chook

We will visit you in prison.

Actually I got that info from a customs officer.

In 2004? I bought in a guitar from the US (Cost about $5k here in Oz) and I had a receipt for it for US$2.2k (AUS$2.8k at the time) and of course I declared it. The customs officer drooled over the guitar and said to me, "do you play?" I said "yes" even thought I play just enough to make a fool of myself and he said, "then you must have played it?", and I said "yes" and he said, "well it's used goods then" and discounted the dutiable value by 20%, I paid ~$200 in import duty and still had a deal worth struggling with that thing across the world for.

Originally Posted by BobL

Actually I got that info from a customs officer.

In 2004? I bought in a guitar from the US (Cost about $5k here in Oz) and I had a receipt for it for US$2.2k (AUS$2.8k at the time) and of course I declared it. The customs officer drooled over the guitar and said to me, "do you play?" I said "yes" even thought I play just enough to make a fool of myself and he said, "then you must have played it?", and I said "yes" and he said, "well it's used goods then" and discounted the dutiable value by 20%, I paid ~$200 in import duty and still had a deal worth struggling with that thing across the world for.

Good information to know.

Originally Posted by chook

We will visit you in prison.

Bugger that. He's in Perth and I'm not going all the way to Perth just to visit him in jail. Much better places to see in Perth than the inside of a jail.

Another thing to consider is objects longer than a metre (40 inches US speak). Oz Post won't accept items longer than a metre even though the rest of the world seems to think 1200mm or more is reasonable. (Wonder why they are bleating about loosing customers to alternate services?)

So things like aluminium bar clamps (Dubuque are excellent, sold by Lee Valley) or some of the Incra stuff that has bars more than a metre long are prime candidates - just get a roll of fiberglass reinforced tape and tape all the boxes together as a piece of 'hold luggage'. The smaller stuff can be sent by regular post, just make sure it is posted several days apart so it does not hit Customs all on the one day - they will add the value together to put you over the magic $1000, or use several relatives addresses either here or in the US to make it 'clear' that the parcels are from separate orders.

If you use Festool gear, then pick up all the accessories and expendables like Systainers, pads, batteries and such - you can then pack it all inside the Systainer, tape the cardboard outer carton closed and ship it back by post - be aware that you can't seal the box until the US Post people have checked the contents, something that varies from P.O. to P.O. over there according to some US based shippers I have heard from.

There is a big Grizzly store in Muncy, Pennsylvania, that is worth a visit. Its the biggest woody machinery retail space in the world. Just don't bring back a machine that is 110v.
The salesman assured me that the drum/flap sander I was getting was 240v and it was only when we got back here that I found it was 110v. Several other Grizzly stores in other parts too if you are not going to Penn.

I cant see myself buying anything over the limit so far so might not need to do any posting back etc.

Might get some festool gear that dont need to be plugged in and some hand tools and some router bits.

I've just got back from a trip to the US. Didn't buy any tools as I really don't need anything, but I did buy some books for woodwork. That's one thing that is worth considering as well, as they are much cheaper in the US and easy to post. We went to a few second hand bookstores and I picked up a book on Shaker furniture, and then I got a new book on how to build an Adirondack guide boat at the Adirondack Museum. Both really good books and very good prices.

Originally Posted by jerlinjames

I cant see myself buying anything over the limit so far so might not need to do any posting back etc.

Might get some festool gear that dont need to be plugged in and some hand tools and some router bits.

Thats definitely a safe way to go. If you have a dremel the accessories are much cheaper too.

Originally Posted by jerlinjames

I cant see myself buying anything over the limit so far so might not need to do any posting back etc.

Might get some festool gear that dont need to be plugged in and some hand tools and some router bits.

On my trips over there I always visit Harbour Freight, Rockler and Woodcraft stores. A lot of their stuff really needs to be looked at and compared in real life. E.G. at HF I found these little stick on lasers that project a line that I use on my bandsaws and lots of other small nick knacks. It depends on what kind of work you do as they cater for both metal and woodwork.
Rgds,
Crocy

Buy it on Amazon and have it delivered to your hotel

This is what I have ordered recently:

Woodpeckers Precision Woodworking Tools PTR46SET Precision Triangle Set, 4-Inch/6-Inch
Freud 89-102 5-Piece Round Over and Beading Router Bit Set
Freud 90-150 5pc Up Cut Spiral Router Bit Set
Freud 91-102 6-Piece Double-Flute Straight Router Bit Set
Grizzly H7694 Master Forstner Bit, 31-Piece
Kreg PRS3020 True-FLEX Featherboard - Twin Pack
Grizzly T21992 Power Twist V-Belt, 1/2-Inch x 4-Inch
Bench Dog 10-035 Bench Cookie Work Grippers, 4-Pack
INCRA Build-It Knobs, 1/4-20 by 1-1/2-Inch Bolts, Washers, Set of 8
Wixey WR510 Digital Planer Readout with Fractions
Woodpeckers Saw Gauge
7 of Irwin 224134 Quick-Grip 3/4-Inch Pipe Clamp
DEWALT D180005 14 Piece Master Hole Saw Kit
Versa-Tool MBMASTER 13 Piece Master Accessory Collection With Custom Aluminum Case
DEWALT DW4856 6-Piece Metal/Woodcutting
6 Inch LCD Digital Caliper with Extra Battery and Case
Bostitch F28WW Clipped Head 2-inch to 3-1/2-inch Framing Nailer with Magnesium Housing
Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig by Kreg
Bosch FNS138-23 23-Gauge 1-3/8-Inch Pin Nailer

Saved a Bomb