- Joined
- Jan 10, 2006
- Messages
- 574
I want to share the places I have found to be good for buying stuff, so here is my list. Please add to this thread, if you know of any good resources.
For new tooling and supplies:
1) www.use-enco.com (cheap prices for stuff, and you can get free shipping for orders over $50. The free shipping code often is posted here on this forum. They have some metal stock too).
2) www.mcmaster.com (their stock is more extensive than Enco or www.mscdirect.com) Also, their prices are good, and shipping for me is fast (usually from southern CA). MSC isn't bad either, and they will send you a free catalog if you ask. McMaster catalogs are harder to get.
3) www.penntoolco.com (another good place for machine shop supplies. They have especially good prices on Mitutoyo DRO systems).
4) www.craigslist.org . This is a local free bulletin board service, and most major cities have them. Since it was started in my home town, the listings here are extensive, and you sometimes can find good used tools. You can look under the for sale "tools" category, or else under specific search words such as "estate tools" if you want to find used old stuff. I have gotten some good stuff from garage sales advertised on craigslist, as well as some individual objects listed there.
5) www.ebay.com . I think we all know about this one. I think it is especially good for end mills, taps and dies, micrometers, calipers, and dial test indicators, relatively small things that are easily shipped.
6) If I wanted to get a big machine tool, I might check the machinery auctions. Most of the local ones in my area are handled by www.ashmancompany.com
7) www.bookfinder.com . This is a network for finding new, used, and out-of-print books. Particularly good for finding an old book whose title or author you know.
8) www.harborfreight.com . Also affectionately known as "Horror Freight," for their infamously low quality imported junk. But some of their tools are brand name, or you might want to get a cheap thing because you want to save money or something. To get the best deals from HF, you should get on their mailing list for printed catalogs, and compare different catalogs for the lowest price. They often have diferent prices on the same item, even within the same catalog! To order, you must use the exact catalog number to get the desired price. A strange system, but it works I guess.
9) www.onlinemetals.com A good metal supply place for the hobbyist. They have an extensive selection, and their prices are reasonable if there is something specific that you need. But for stocking up on your inventory, you can get a better deal from places that have scrapped metal, and sell by the pound. I have gotten good deals on aluminum from recycling centers and even from the salvage department of my workplace.
10) For 120 VAC electric motors, check local garage/estate sales. For other motors, some electric motor repair shops are helpful.
11) For woodworking supplies and also for hardware and other supplies, I like www.leevalley.com . They may have something odd that your local hardware store doesn't, such as high strength rare earth magnets. www.grizzlyindustrial.com is good for some things too. I don't especially like their machine tools, but some of their hardware and woodworking supplies are good. One of their belt sanders (the 6X48 made in Taiwan) is supposed to be excellent.
12) www.surpluscenter.com . This place has some good mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical control supplies. I have bought a 1/2 hp dc motor controller for under $60, which might retail for over $150 elsewhere.
13) www.amazon.com Their tool prices aren't bad, usually cheaper than the local hardware stores. Free shipping for regular orders over $25
I probably have forgotten a few. What places do all of you recommend?
Armand
For new tooling and supplies:
1) www.use-enco.com (cheap prices for stuff, and you can get free shipping for orders over $50. The free shipping code often is posted here on this forum. They have some metal stock too).
2) www.mcmaster.com (their stock is more extensive than Enco or www.mscdirect.com) Also, their prices are good, and shipping for me is fast (usually from southern CA). MSC isn't bad either, and they will send you a free catalog if you ask. McMaster catalogs are harder to get.
3) www.penntoolco.com (another good place for machine shop supplies. They have especially good prices on Mitutoyo DRO systems).
4) www.craigslist.org . This is a local free bulletin board service, and most major cities have them. Since it was started in my home town, the listings here are extensive, and you sometimes can find good used tools. You can look under the for sale "tools" category, or else under specific search words such as "estate tools" if you want to find used old stuff. I have gotten some good stuff from garage sales advertised on craigslist, as well as some individual objects listed there.
5) www.ebay.com . I think we all know about this one. I think it is especially good for end mills, taps and dies, micrometers, calipers, and dial test indicators, relatively small things that are easily shipped.
6) If I wanted to get a big machine tool, I might check the machinery auctions. Most of the local ones in my area are handled by www.ashmancompany.com
7) www.bookfinder.com . This is a network for finding new, used, and out-of-print books. Particularly good for finding an old book whose title or author you know.
8) www.harborfreight.com . Also affectionately known as "Horror Freight," for their infamously low quality imported junk. But some of their tools are brand name, or you might want to get a cheap thing because you want to save money or something. To get the best deals from HF, you should get on their mailing list for printed catalogs, and compare different catalogs for the lowest price. They often have diferent prices on the same item, even within the same catalog! To order, you must use the exact catalog number to get the desired price. A strange system, but it works I guess.
9) www.onlinemetals.com A good metal supply place for the hobbyist. They have an extensive selection, and their prices are reasonable if there is something specific that you need. But for stocking up on your inventory, you can get a better deal from places that have scrapped metal, and sell by the pound. I have gotten good deals on aluminum from recycling centers and even from the salvage department of my workplace.
10) For 120 VAC electric motors, check local garage/estate sales. For other motors, some electric motor repair shops are helpful.
11) For woodworking supplies and also for hardware and other supplies, I like www.leevalley.com . They may have something odd that your local hardware store doesn't, such as high strength rare earth magnets. www.grizzlyindustrial.com is good for some things too. I don't especially like their machine tools, but some of their hardware and woodworking supplies are good. One of their belt sanders (the 6X48 made in Taiwan) is supposed to be excellent.
12) www.surpluscenter.com . This place has some good mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical control supplies. I have bought a 1/2 hp dc motor controller for under $60, which might retail for over $150 elsewhere.
13) www.amazon.com Their tool prices aren't bad, usually cheaper than the local hardware stores. Free shipping for regular orders over $25
I probably have forgotten a few. What places do all of you recommend?
Armand