Sir Stinkalot completes the trifecta - Lee Valley, Rockler & Woodcraft
In the tradition of https://www.woodworkforums.com/f42/si...boston-111605/ and https://www.woodworkforums.com/f42/st...oodies-117077/ comes the latest instalment ……. Sir Stinkalot completes the trifecta …….. Lee Valley, Rockler & Woodcraft.
The latest trip has been quite productive and given the “Rouge Gallery” hasn’t seen any action in over 12 months when Stinkette was at Lee Valley I thought I would share again.
Sorry for the up close and personal photographs ..... I had to take them from arms length and with a head the size of mine I need longer arms. The Stinkette has learnt that I am best to go on these shopping trips by myself and as such there was not an official photographer.
1. Lee Valley – Downtown Toronto Canada.
Easy access from the CBD with a quick tram ride. Located in an area similar to Fitzroy which was good as it was one of the very few places on the trip that I got a half decent coffee.
The store was convenient however it was a little strange. They seemed to have many of their products on display however many were behind glass or without original packaging taking away that enjoyment of just browsing and being able to pick up and experience a product. I am sure if I specifically needed to look at something there wouldn't be an issue if I asked, but I didn't want to waste the staffs time on something I wasn't intending to buy.
Most of the stock was held out the back. The idea was you walk around and compile a shopping list based on the catalogue codes, then you present your list at the desk and the sales assistant goes out the back and collects it all. It was very efficient but in the end I just ended up going over to the computer and browsing the catalogue there to complete my order. Still I managed to spend over an hour looking around and it would be a very good system to have close by as you could email an order and just pop by at lunchtime and pick up the goods. They did have everything I wanted in stock so you cant fault that!
2. Rockler – Seattle
Similar to Rockler in Boston it was like a cave filled with the smaller woodworking bits and bobs (handy when you have to carry your goods). Not much larger machinery but a good small range of timber out the back. I do like a Rockler store and still think they should open up one here.
Easy to get there on a bus from central Seattle. The bus drops you off on the street about half a block up from the store.
3. Woodcraft – Seattle
Much bigger than Rockler. More like a Carbatec with a larger range of machines. They had a good looking demo area and workshop. Again well stocked with a good range.
Again easy to get there from central Seattle on a bus. You do need to walk a block or two from the bus stop which wasn't particularly difficult but it was a little harder to work out where to get off and which direction to walk in. I should have put a larger Google map on my phone before leaving.
So enough chat ..... now the goodies …….
So in summary:
I didn't really come across any new products or anything that I would have trouble getting in (or to) Australia. I guess the internet now makes purchases so much easier. The prices were not that much lower than we have in Australia on most goods.
I was hoping to get an Incra hinge maker as they are much cheaper in the USA but they are a direct order into Rockler and Woodcraft from Incra (I should have worked that out and pre-ordered with an in store pickup but I wasn't organised enough). I was intending on getting an Incra tablesaw fence but it would have been too difficult to get home :(
As an example on prices the GRR Ripper is only $10 more expensive here (in the single outlet that I can find) than in the USA where it is made. the narrow ripping attachment is about $5 more or 25%. The converter pro calculator was on sale for $5 so I got another one but their regular price is $20 over there .... the same as here. I didn't pay too much attention to the prices of machinery or power tools but I think they were considerably cheaper.
Whilst it is good to have a look at these stores when the opportunity presents I think that now with the internet the treasure trove of unobtainable foreign goods is long gone.
Cheers
Stinky
