Thread: Handtools from America

G'day Burnsy,
There a a heap of posts in the forums from people who buy direct from US, and I do constantly for books and DVD's, but I'm yet to buy tools.
The books etc are always under 1/2 price from that offered by the Oz distributors, and even with overseas mail the cost is still a hell of a lot cheaper, and in some cases, arrives quicker.
I reckon, if its a Global Economy.....use it.
And Amazon, have started selling tools as well.
I've also never had a "card" problem with any of them.

Originally Posted by watson

G'day Burnsy,
There a a heap of posts in the forums from people who buy direct from US, and I do constantly for books and DVD's, but I'm yet to buy tools.
The books etc are always under 1/2 price from that offered by the Oz distributors, and even with overseas mail the cost is still a hell of a lot cheaper, and in some cases, arrives quicker.
I reckon, if its a Global Economy.....use it.
And Amazon, have started selling tools as well.
I've also never had a "card" problem with any of them.

I have checked out Amazon but their range is not what i was hoping, I guess i was really chasing if anyone knows of a hardware specialist that sells online from over there. I have done a few searches but just keep ending up back at Amazon.

Maybe try Lee valley....rockwell......they've got to be there.
I daren't cjeck myself....or I'll buy something

Burnsy.

I have bought tools and various things a number of times while in the US and also from here in Australia and here are some pitfalls you need to be careful of.

Cordless tools: Not all cordless tools use easily replaceable plug packs with many now using chargers that plug directly into the mains. You cannot just replace the mains plug and trying to buy a replacement recharger here is not worth it as you will almos tpay as much for the recharger as the tool itsel.

Transformers: Mucking about with 120-240V transformers is a PITA. Apart from costing money, you have to carry the wretched transformer with you everywhere you take the tool. I have done this - once - never again.

Warranty: The biggest potential headache is if something goes wrong as local agents usually won't honour the warranty. We had a CD player that we bought in the US that the local agent would not even look at. Simple hand tools are the least likely to go wrong.

Shipping: Some companies will only ship via UPS or other commerial courier (ie expensive) - look for those that ship USPS (ie much cheaper). Bear in mind it costs about US$30 to ship a 10lb parcel via USPS and it will take 4 - 6 weeks to get here. I will generally only buy from companies that ship via USPS. Here is a link to an on-line shipping calculator from USPS. http://ircalc.usps.gov/default.asp?M...ngle&CID=10013

Best Savings: The best $ for $ savings to be made are on high quality hand tools like Lee Nielsen. I wouldn't put Stanley tools in this category.

If you know what you want in the woodwork tool line, Hardwicks in Seattle are able to source most things and are very big on service and ship regularly to AustraliaAsia. They used to have a moderately useful website but it is currently out of action but you can still email them (http://www.ehardwicks.com/contact/contactus.html) and they respond pretty quickly. BTW they have a great phsyical store if you are ever in Seattle - it looks like a store right out of the gold rush era.

I have also bought from a company called ENCO (http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM). Last year several of us on this forum collaborated to buy ~17kg of tool steel from the US at a considerable saving. Enco also sell a lot of very interesting gizmos and tools - mainly metal working. They provide excellent service and will ship USPS.

While not a tool, my latest buy from the US is a pair of high quality chainsaw chaps (protective trousers for use while operating a chainsaw). I paid US$59 plus US$28 shipping (AUS$106). The cheapest I could get them in Oz for was AUS$168.

Anyway, I hope you find all this useful.

Cheers
BobL

FWIW I've done the numbers on buying planes from Lee Valley and with the exchange rate difference (the Website charges in USD rather than Canadian; phooey!) and surface shipping (which can't be tracked AFAIK) its no cheaper than local.

Bulk purchase does seem to offer cost reductions though.

Originally Posted by Burnsy

I am aware of alot of people buying cordless gear straight from the US as it is a heap cheaper but you need to use a transformer. A mate recently came back from Hawaii and brought back a few name brand handtools such as Stanley squares, bevels and chisels and tin snips. He is spewing that he did not buy more as they were considerabley cheaper (half the price) than here and all are what is generally classed as consumable tools (ones that get lost, busted or walk regularly from site). I know there are some people selling these on ebay at better than retail prices but where do they get them from? Are there any American tool suppliers that anyone has used to buy and ship this sort of stuff over here or do I need to know someone who is in or visiting the US?

Hawaii ins't know for good prices so that means the mainland prices are even cheaper. It sucks doesn't it

Originally Posted by rsser

FWIW I've done the numbers on buying planes from Lee Valley and with the exchange rate difference (the Website charges in USD rather than Canadian; phooey!) and surface shipping (which can't be tracked AFAIK) its no cheaper than local.

Bulk purchase does seem to offer cost reductions though.

You're telling me that if I buy a bullnose plane from Lee Valley at $180AUD by the time it gets here it will cost me the same as buying it from crapatec at $280AUD?

Originally Posted by Toolin Around

You're telling me that if I buy a bullnose plane from Lee Valley at $180AUD by the time it gets here it will cost me the same as buying it from crapatec at $280AUD?

He's right, If they send it express mail UPS shipping can cost you more that US$80 or AUS$100. If they are willing to send send it USPS parcel post (slower, non trackable) shipping will be around AUS$45 so you can save about $55. It's up to you to decide if its worth the hassel. I have been caught with companies sending stuff via DHL - when it arrives here sometimes you can get caught having to pay outrageous customs fees - it's a right royal PITA.

I still buy stuff from overseas but only selected items.

Lee Valley are excellent in terms of both price and service.
I have ordered from then several times never paid more than AUS$38 for surface shipping and it has never taken longer the 2 weeks for an order to arrive

Howdya

I would guess your orders are very small and light. All reasonable sized orders I have placed with Lee Valley and freighted via surface have taken 11-13 weeks.

The best value is to place an order for multiple items as the "flagfall" on freight is the highest value. A recent order I placed only added around $US5 for each extra 2 pounds weight when I added extra items.