My New Year’s resolution for 2014 will be to create – and stick to – a firmer tool budget. I figured that this would be more enforceable if I understood where and how I had been spending money in 2013.
For the sake of kicks and giggles, I put together a pie short showing my tool and equipment spending for the holiday season. It includes most tool-related purchases made between November 1st and today, December 23rd.
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The list of retailers corresponds to the pie sections in order, starting with Amazon at the 12:00 position.
Except for Techni-Tool, all of these retailers and suppliers are already on our recommended where to buy list, and I will add Techni-Tool to the list later today.
So where did you spend the most money on tools this holiday season?
Stan
Stuart, I thought you also shopped at Harry J Epstein and Grainger as well? I definitely remember you talking about Harry J Epstein. But it’s none of my business though.
As for me I’ve purchased 90% of my items at Harry J Epstein, 5% at Amazon and the other 5% at pawn shops, eBay and garage sales. This is just me personally, but if I could, I would like to buy more from Harry J Epstein. Not only do they list the country of origin of their products, which is a deal breaker for me, but they actually treat you with respect and their prices are exceptionally reasonable.
Unlike big corporations, in my experience with Harry J Epstein, you aren’t treated as if you are nothing more than a cash source, but as a real person and with the utmost respect as I stated earlier.
Stuart
The only Harry Epstein purchases I made in recent months were for the wishlist items for 3 giveaway winners. I folded that up into the Giveaway slice, along with items purchased from Amazon for giveaways.
I haven’t made many tool purchases from Harry Epstein in a while because they don’t carry what I had been buying.
Zoro Tools and Techni-Tool are owned by Grainger.
Amazon gets the biggest chunk of my change because they carry what I’m looking to buy, their prices are often good, their customer service is often great, and I get most of what I order within 2 days.
If I am looking to buy a screwdriver and find it priced at $15 through Amazon and $14 through Harry Epstein, I will either order it right then and there through Amazon or add it to my Harry Epstein wishlist. Since Harry Epstein changes for shipping (which most non-colossal business must do), I tend to wait and buy non-essential tools all at once to make the most of the shipping fee.
Techni-Tool got a big chunk of my business recently because they carry the piece of equipment I was looking to buy. I spent a few dollars more than I would have with other dealers, but I went with them because of past positive experiences.
I didn’t mention it, but I also ordered a few supplies from 80/20’s Garage Sale ebay store.
John S
Shipping at Harry Epstein kills me, especially since I used to live in KC (and had no idea it was there at the time – probably a good thing)
I feel like I have to order more than I want to in order to justify the shipping expenses – since I am so spoiled by Amazon.
rob
First year in quite a few years for me didn’t really spend any money on tools. The all I did purchase was a replacement vacuum bag for my Toro blower/Vac. I was able to locate a replacement from Amazon. The last few years between Amazon, Sears, OSH, and Home Depot I did more damage then I care to remember…
Stuart
I didn’t plan to spend a lot, it just sort of happened. Hence the need for a stricter budget next year. That also means I can plan better and save up for the holiday season.
I looked at my 2013 purchases, and it seems I only ordered two thing from Sears this year – a rolling tool storage cabinet and replacement drawer slide for my tool chest.
Steve Cox
What is this tool budget you talk about????
Stuart
I’m not sure, but it’s on the syllabus for 2014.
Steve Cox
Please do not let my wife read that! She would love nothing better than putting me on a budget for tools.
Yadda
Make your budget now. Once the new year starts, project start up at work and winter projects at home tend to keep me from accomplishing any other tasks like budgeting…..
Jon
Lee Valley was the highest for sure and I’m not sure I want to think about how much. Woodcraft and Rockler each got a fair amount as well, though some of that went towards supplies for making gifts. Menards was also up there. Not much of anything spent at Home Depot or Lowes this year.
fred
If I were to look back over my credit card statements, I might be able to do a pie chart like yours. Since 2013 was my first year of retirement – with a desire to break away from the active business/shops that I had been associated with previously – I found that I had to upgrade and add to my home shop a bit to make up. My interests are primarily woodworking /woodcarving – and over the years I’ve done more and more of it with hand tools. That’s not to say that my drill press, jointer , band saw and Unisaw has become any less used – it’s just that I reach for hand planes , chisels, gouges and rasps more often.
What I recall is that I bought my first batch of Festool tools (including a Domino XL and a 55REQ Track Saw) in 2013, These put a dent in my tool buying budget and came from Coastal Tool, Hartville Tool and Tyler Tools. I think I spread the wealth around based on who had what in stock – not price – since Festool prices are the same everywhere and lots of folks offer free shipping. I bought a few Lie Nielsen Planes from Craftsman Studio – and a few planes plus other items from Lee Valley. I bought some Arbortech items from Toolbarn and some Foredom, Saburr Tooth and other carving tools from Mountain Heritage Crafters and their other site RotaryPro – plus MDI Carver’s Supply and William NG Woodworking. I also bought Razertip pyrography tools from Sawdust Connection and Treeline. I bought a Bosch miter saw from CPO – but some of its accessories and stand came from Coastal Tool and the Forrest blades I bought for it came from Silvers Mill. I purchased a Knew Concepts titanium coping saw from Highland but the Pegas blades I bought for it came from Woodcraft. I also purchased a few other items over the year from Woodcraft, Rockler, Infinity Cutting Tools, and MLCS. I added to my Starret collection – buying from Amazon and Transcat, and to my router bits – purchasing from ToolsToday and Router Bit World. I did the odd bit of shopping at HD and Lowes, bought a few items via Zoro and a lot more odds and ends on Amazon. I find that I’m doing a lot more comparison shopping and waiting for deals at Amazon (put the item in a wish list and see if the price goes down) and elsewhere.
Brian
I try to buy local when I can, but sometimes Amazon is that much cheaper and can have more of the hard to find tools I am looking for. I do like Sutherlands and Ace when I get a chance.
Jerry
Amazon is #1 place for me, as well. Good selection, usually free shipping, and reviews all on the same site, along with good prices.
I’m with you on the non essential tools from Epstein, though. I save up my wants/needs for a few months or whenever the list gets big enough.
joe
One of the perks of being a “handyman” in my trade is that whatever you find in the workplace is yours. I have found tools that I would never consider buying on a normal basis…later to find out that the tool that I found is very essential to my work.
So this has taught me to seek what is mostly free or jump on the opportunity when it half off or even 25% off even if I don’t need the tool right there and then. A lot of the times the price of the tool pays for itself in one single job…
At sears, they have a “clearance” section where you can buy their opened/display items for cheap. I bought a reciprocating say for 25 bucks open item (new worth over 100 dollars)…it still works to this day..
On amazon, the price changes for items…like in wall street…so to speak.
In craiglist, you can get good deals. Brand new Milwaukee m18 fuel with the small batteries worth $260 I got it for $115 with a little haggling.
On home depot, you can get good deals too..
I guess what I am trying to say is that I mostly seek good deals when I know I will save money..of course, not over spending to where I can’t pay for rent…lol….
Yadda
Most of my money spent on tools this year went to a collection of Plierenches. All were bought from auction websites. I also purchased a few odds and ends from HD, Sears, Lowe’s and HF. I also bought a small collection of Leatherman multitools on Craigslist and I won a Leatherman Rebar during the ToolyGuyd 5th Anniversary giveaway. Considering the final amount, I was actually very restrained this year. I have a feeling my restraint will be tested in the year to come. I have several projects in mind for the coming year and a couple of long term bucket list projects. All of these will require a more substantial outlay of capital for tools to complete the projects. For now, I am working on organizing the garage to make room and so I can find all of my tools when I want them.
But its me!
It’s Amazon for me mostly, too. With Prime two-day shipping there is almost no wait (not that I mind and extra day or two), and the prices are usually great. I scored a nice Fuji HVLP Hobby Pro from Amazon as my holiday gift to myself for almost $100 off the original price thanks to a last minute sale and coupon. I caught both within the last 10 minutes of expiry while just checking my cart on Amazon. I tend to let items sit in the cart for a while to mull it over. Every once in a while I see a markdown, although this one was much more than expected so I did not wait. I was antsy while I entered my password into Amazon, thinking I missed the deadline. I figure it will be a nice upgrade from the Harbor Freight model I have used for a few years now, but it is too cold to play with right now (I spray outside in a makeshift tent).
My next would be Lee Valley, waiting until one of the regular free shipping offers to make my purchase. I would love to get a Veritas plane or two… but settle for my ’70s era Craftsman planes that I purchased when a teen.
And I add my vote for Epstein. Like everyone else I wait to order several items to save on shipping. If we take a family vacation out west, I plan on making sure we go through Kansas City!
Mahalo
“Hello, I am with Lee Valley and would like to talk with you about how we can transform that tiny sliver into an Amazonian-like slice of pie…”
Stuart
Lee Valley is one of those places where I make big purchases every now and then, just not this holiday season. There’s really nothing they could do better to gain more of my business, aside from secretly hiring ninjas to steal all my Veritas tools.
Nick Marques
I know you’re affiliated with Amazon and various other merchants, but I buy a good amount of things from CPO Tools simply based on price. I know Amazon does all of the Bosch promos the same time everyone else does but on more than one occasion, CPO has beat out Amazon on price, even though I have Prime (free shipping) on Amazon. I also like CPO’s customer service.
I also have found better deals on refurbished bare tools on CPO than Amazon. I know they have been mentioned on your site before but wonder why they aren’t on the Where To Buy page other than I know Amazon would get you a commission .
Stuart
ToolGuyd receives referral commissions from CPO Tools and Tyler Tool as well. The “where to buy” page isn’t exclusively about linking to retailers we receive affiliate commissions from, but also the places we recommend the most based on personal purchases and experiences.
I might add CPO to the list during the next planned revision.
I like them, just not as much as other affiliated and non-affiliated retailers and suppliers.
Nick Marques
Good to know.
CPO gets a +1 from me since I ordered the CRS180K (18V Reciprocating Saw) from them a year ago. Their product page said it included a carry bag. It arrives in Bosch packaging without one. Apparently, Bosch changed the product to not include one and CPO didn’t get the memo to update the description. CPO located and sent me one for free.
Greg Post
I got a PanaVise 324 on clearance at RadioShack for $19.99. Stahl Tools brand soldering station from PartsExpress for $12. Wiss Steel Snips from Lowes for $20. Some Mora knives from Amazon. DeWalt 4 plier set for $14 and Leatherman Wingman for $20 from Home Depot. Also got a bunch of Kitchen stuff that I consider tools like a deep fryer and wok. Looking for a track saw but not sold on anything yet.
BECKY EVANS
I wish I had a Tool Budget!! My Tools are Hand me Downs and they still get the job done!! I would love to have some upgrades thought cause that is what will get the job done faster and easier for us gotta get the job done to eat types…Thanks Again.
Henry H.
Interesting that Rockler didn’t make your chart. I’m looking at a few things from them, and just realized that they have a store within 45 minutes of me. Might have to take our older kiddo (4y0 son) with me to drool over things I can’t afford. Curious how their quality compares to Lee Valley?