For a long time, I've used Amazon for just about everything outside of groceries and stuff I need immediately. But for a few different reasons, chief among them being the price of a Prime membership, I'm planning on quitting Prime relatively soon, and have been looking for good alternative sources for major items.

For most categories of goods I already have an as-good or better option figured out, but I'm still searching for a good general purpose hardware store. I'm already a big fan of Harbor Freight for any kind of cheap disposable Chinesium, but I'm not sure where to go when looking for things like high end woodworking tools (chisels, planers, etc), lawn and garden implements, outdoor gear....

What are some of the OB's favorite non big box places to shop for quality hardware and tools?

I like Rockler a lot and have purchased from Woodcraft as well. Sometimes I will order from Home Depot. They are not fast though.

I hate Amazon.. Their decision to give people on food stamps free Prime just pisses me off.

Why does it have to be on line?
Go to your closest, best local hardware and shop local otherwise, shortly, there will be no local

IslandAg76 said:

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Why does it have to be on line?
Go to your closest, best local hardware and shop local otherwise, shortly, there will be no local

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Happy to shop local, and I often do, but there are often times that I want something pretty specialized that's not likely to be carried at a small local hardware store. Also, even though I certainly don't mind paying a bit more of a markup shopping at a small local place with knowledgeable employees, I've too often found the same cheap crap carried at Home Depot, but marked up and extra 30% - 50%. Bering's in Houston is a great example of that phenomenon. If anyone has any good local place recommendations in Houston or B/CS, I'm all ears.

Looks like you're in Houston. Three brick & mortar gems:
Empire Tool @ Hempstead/W 34th
Circle Saw @ Ella/26th
Turner Hardware @ Hempstead/Lumberdale

It's worth the trip just to see everything they have on display.

McMaster Carr for hardware

Mr. AGSPRT04 said:

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Looks like you're in Houston. Three brick & mortar gems:
Empire Tool @ Hempstead/W 34th
Circle Saw @ Ella/26th
Turner Hardware @ Hempstead/Lumberdale

It's worth the trip just to see everything they have on display.

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Empire Tool has a nice array of mugshots of thieves too.

Their stores tend to have a flea market look, but you could also look up Texas Tool Traders. They keep an impressive array of things in stock. If on the south side, look at Mainland Tool in Texas City.

I do agree with the poster above about checking on Empire Tool.

Thanks! I'm in Oak Forest, so I'll definitely check out Empire Tool and Circle Saw.

tx4guns said:

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McMaster Carr for hardware

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+1 for McMaster Carr. You can find just about anything there.

I have ordered a lot of stuff from zoro.com

The days of the "small shop with knowledgeable employees" are coming to an end.

I'm reminded of that when I need a part for a tractor/truck/implement. I know that 10 years ago I could have gone to see Wayne (the chain smoking parts genius with the best example of 70's sideburns one has ever seen) and he would either have gone strait to the shelf and brought it back, retrieved his calipers and matched it from dimensions or cursed and broke out his book because he couldn't remember that particular part number crossover.

When Wayne finally retired the owner of the parts store put a computer system in and were always having to order parts that I'm almost certain Wayne could have found a crossover for.

Now, we have started buying parts online from Amazon but even with the original part number they regularly ship the wrong parts.

Local, definitely Tractor Supply. Prices are better than HD and has most of what I need and close to HF for price. Bought 4 Torin jack stands and a hydraulic jack for about the same price as HF BUT, comes with 1 year warranty, not you bought it you're screwed HF.

Online quality tools, gotta go with ChadsToolBox. Knipex, Wera, Bohdhus, etc. European designed and built, not American name and Chinese built...

Just got these for work:

replaces Klien's


replaces Crescent

Replaces Channelocks.

Still have my Wera and Knipex tools that I bought 30 years ago. MUCH better tools than Klein's, Crescent and Channelocks...

Also did you see these woodworking tools in classified? The Veritas look AWESOME...

https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/3018231

I have my father's woodworking tools and don't need them, otherwise...

cpooutlets.com, grizzly, trick-tools

And for some woodworking stuff not yet mentioned:

Blue Spruce Toolworks
Lee Valley
Garrett Wade

MSC industrial supply for the hard to find items. I believe their main office is in Houston.

Doc Hayworth said:

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MSC industrial supply for the hard to find items. I believe their main office is in Houston.

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MSC has worked well, and is even better if you can develop a relationship and get 30%-ish off their list price.

McMaster for hardware that's hard to find.
National Bolt for stocking a shop.

They don't have a ton of specialized stuff, but I love C&D Hardware in the Heights if you need something quick.

Lee Valley is what you're looking for.

Just bought some more knipex pliers from them.


Knipex is worth every penny you pay for them. I don't care what anyone says.

$10/month for 2 day shipping is expensive?

Doc Hayworth said:

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MSC industrial supply for the hard to find items. I believe their main office is in Houston.

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MSC stands for Manhatten Supply Company. They have a branch in Houston but are from NY.

tx4guns said:

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McMaster Carr for hardware

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Came here to post this.

I knew OB was the place to come. OB knows stuff.

As for the comment about $10 a month being a lot. It's not like that breaks the bank for me, and I've been spending that for a long time now for the convenience of having Prime. That said, I've found myself gravitating more and more to specialty purveyors for a lot of items, and can always go to Wally World, Harbor Freight, Academy, etc. for cheaper items. For me, it just seems like Amazon has been getting less and less impressive over the past few years, to the point that it just isn't worth the subscription. Plus, I don't really use their digital stuff at all.

All of the responses above just confirm to me that I don't really need the Prime subscription, and would rather spend a little bit more time and effort finding the right item rather than just grabbing whatever has decent Amazon reviews and hoping for the best.

Cow Hop Ag said:

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I hate Amazon.. Their decision to give people on food stamps free Prime just pisses me off.

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Not free, but discounted at $6 per month.

https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=16256994011

I hate movie theaters & Lubys for similar reasons.

Stasco said:

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Thanks! I'm in Oak Forest, so I'll definitely check out Empire Tool and Circle Saw.

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C&D Hardware on 11th is good too. I've had many plumbing conversations with them as well as finding a replacement for a breaker that my 70 year old house needed.

6.5 Swede said:

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Also did you see these woodworking tools in classified? The Veritas look AWESOME...

https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/3018231

I have my father's woodworking tools and don't need them, otherwise...

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Second this. If I didn't have a Veritas block plane, that one would already be off the market. Have a smoothing plane that I inherited but that one is still tempting me. Veritas are arguably the best out there. It was eye opening when I revived that as a gift - like driving a fine sports car. It just cut with such ease.

Since the OP mentions hand tools, there are several options for quality:

LeeValley.com- makes Veritas tools but sells tools from good makers all over. You will pay a premium on some things that may sometimes be found cheaper elsewhere but not always the case. Much of what the sell is good enough to pass down to next generation. Their Veritas stuff retains its value and sells used for almost what it went for new. They also have huge catalog of premium hardware and fittings. Also "catalogs" of gardening tools. Woodcraft stores carry some Veritas tools.

Lie Nielsen (https://www.lie-nielsen.com/) - The other main maker/seller of high end hand tools. Like Lee Valley, they hold their value very well and are heirloom quality. (I have noticed both LN and LV in the background of agrams photos).

Buy used - this harder than one would like in this part of the US. Partly because we are younger here in Texas and partly because we didn't have manufacturing base that needed tooling made by hand tools, etc. We also don't have the winters that keep us inside. But there are some good sources if you know what you are looking for.
Used Sources:
http://www.dowdstools.com/ - Garland dealer. He goes up to places where old tools are common and buys estate sales. He does a crazy big sell a couple of times of year where people drive from all over Texas.
There is a big tool event on March 2 in Dallas - http://www.dowdstools.com/events.html


Lots of small places and tool makers:
https://www.toolsforworkingwood.com
https://www.txheritage.net - Aggie that makes tool rolls, aprons, other things of leather and canvas, etc.
http://www.badaxetoolworks.com - Saws

Have fun paying shipping. Prime just cant be beat.

Lots of their hardware in Space.

I buy a lot of hand tools online from chad's toolbox in Alaska I believe (they have a lot of European tools) or Harry Epstein's in Kansas City for american made

When in doubt go to garage journal those guys know everything about tools. Can even tell you which companies made tools for which other company. Leads to some tools thought to be cheap may be made on same lines as high quality tools and just have a different stamp.

I like Home Depot

Just. a reminder of Big Tool event in Dallas this weekend.

I haven't been to one of these. but have been to Lynn Dowd's event and he is bringing lots of tools this.

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We're looking forward to seeing you at the 7th Annual BIG D Tool Meet in Dallas on Saturday, March 2nd. Not to be confused with the One Old Sorehead & One Nice Guy Tool Sale at our place in June, this ever growing Tool Meet features tool dealers and collectors from Texas and several surrounding states, all with tables full of hand tools just begging to go home with you. There are even a few spots available should you be interested in reserving a sales table of your own. All of the info you need can be found on the Events page of our website at dowdstools.com.There will be some great stuff here for sure! Make plans to come out and see us. #woodworking#handtools #dallas #toolmeet #vintagetools#antique #tools #preservetradition #woodworker#stanley #planes


http://www.dowdstools.com/events.html

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Quote:

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SEVENTH BIG D TOOL MEET
Buy, Sell or Trade Antique & Collectible Tools Saturday, March 2, 2019
Dallas, Texas
A mega tool meet featuring Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas collectors with magnificent pieces to sell including desirable Stanley tools, fine levels and European decorated tools!
Mega dealer Lynn Dowd with a truckload of tools including both user and high end pieces!
Location: Contact: Schedule:
Admission: Sales tables:
Waterline Pools warehouse, 17725 Frank Jackson Drive, Dallas, TX 75252 Jon Harrison, 214/202-4833, email jon@waterlinepools.com
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. -- Set-up
10:00 a.m. Show Opens
12:00 noon -- Lunch served 2:00 p.m. Show ends
$5.00 entry fee (PRE-REGISTER AND AVOID THE LINE AT THE DOOR!) $15.00 entry fee and lunch
$12.00/table, no covers provided. (Table orders must be received by February 15TH)
Friday Open House: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Waterline Pools. Please join us for a beverage! Set-up for the show, visit the on-site 6,000 item antique tool collection, or leave large items.
From Oklahoma/I 35 South: Exit 445B/President George Bush Turnpike/Texas 190 East. Go 6 miles. Exit Coit Road. Turn right on Coit Road. Turn right on McCallum Blvd (traffic signal). Turn right on Frank Jackson Drive. Waterline Pools is at end of Frank Jackson on the left.
From Houston/I 45 North: Merge onto US 75 North via left lane exit. Go 13 miles. Exit Campbell Road. Turn Left on Campbell Road. Go 5 miles. Turn right on Coit Road. Turn left on McCallum (2nd light). Turn right on Frank Jackson Drive. Waterline Pools is at end of Frank Jackson on the left.
From Sherman/US 75 South: Exit 28B/President George Bush Turnpike/Texas 190 West. Exit Coit Road. Turn left on Coit Road. Turn right on McCallum Blvd (traffic signal). Turn right on Frank Jackson Drive. Waterline Pools is at the end of Frank Jackson on the left.

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