Replies

1. 
   Frozen | May 27, 2005 11:47pm | #1

   The obvious choice is Lee Valley Tools for hand tools.

   http://www.leevalley.com/home.aspx

   Or were you interested in power tools?

1. 
   timrowledge | May 28, 2005 12:41am | #2

   I love Lee Valley for hand tools and hardware but if I need a new router, or a set of bits to go with a woodrat, or a new drillpress they're not the folks to go to. Surely there has to be someone up here?

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 29, 2005 11:51pm | #9

   830.3 in reply to 830.2 

   I love Lee Valley

    Sort of like a new bride... Ya sur you will LOVE it but ,,,, from a nother country!  I just love suspense!

2. 
   stevemorris | May 29, 2005 02:45pm | #3

   i'm a professional cabinet maker in ontario and i purchase most of my tools from my local Home Hardware Building Center, they generally have a great selection in their catalog and one week delivery, prices are reasonable too

   in store stock varies from store to store because their stores are all independantly owned

    then of course there is canadian tire, also independantly owned stores but a good catalog system

   just as an example, i bought a 12 inch dewalt slider from Home Hardware for 650 canadian and it included the dewalt stand and had it in three days

   house of tools in edmonton has a good setup for online/mail order, delivery is very quick and then of course there's lee valley for the best in fine hand tools and hardware

   leevalley's web site is awesome, house of tools soso

   caulking is not a piece of trim

1. 
   timrowledge | May 29, 2005 11:29pm | #5

   Hadn't thought of home hardware; I did actually pick up one of their catalogues the other day.One thing that miffs me is (as an example) the price of a DeWalt 625 router on amazon is USD229 (= C$286) but on house of tools it is C$370. Quite a large difference. I wonder if amazon realise that market they're missing up here?I also found kmstools.com but they seem to have a pretty limited selection. allinonewood.com lists a whole 3 (count'em) routers.

1. 
   stevemorris | May 30, 2005 02:49am | #10

   well homehardware is my regular supplier and for many other contractors around tools and materials both, however ours(in sarnia, south western ontario) is also a "home building center" and used to be a "beavers building center"

   sure they dont carry a lot of inventory(its expensive and low markup), but almost anything is available from catalogs, delivery time is great, prices? welli dont have time to mess around to save 10 bucks on a cordless drill

   funny thing is, home depot opened a couple of years ago, just around the corner, guess where the local contractors are lined up at 730 monday morning, not at home depot!!caulking is not a piece of trim

3. 
   Ricks503 | May 29, 2005 04:15pm | #4

   You might want to check out General International - they are  a Canadian firm and if you cannot order thru them they should have some links for where yuou can buy them, or you can eMail them for the info. 

   Have you tried looking in the Canadian Woodworker magazine?  I am sure they would have ads for tools.

   1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go        4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
4. 
   WillGeorge | May 29, 2005 11:40pm | #6

   I was in Canada several times,,, First thing they asked me was I bringing in any tools..  I said just GOOD good ones from the USA.. The Lady at the desk asked me to show her.. I said I rather take ya out for dinner first!  She just giggled and let me pass!

   
   

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   Edited 5/29/2005 4:41 pm ET by Will George

5. 
   WillGeorge | May 29, 2005 11:45pm | #7

   Who knows online accessible suppliers that serve Canada without hassles?  General tools?

    

6. 
   WillGeorge | May 29, 2005 11:48pm | #8

   I recently moved to Vancouver Island from California (you'd hate it, don't even think of coming here and filling it up) and I'm having a bit of trouble finding ways to satisfy my toolbuying needs..

   Gee Tronto Folks OK~ Not sur about wood there!

    

7. 
   GaryK | May 30, 2005 11:29pm | #11

   Hi and welcome to BC,

   The best source for tools I have found around here is Midland tools in Nanaimo (which is on Vancouver Island). The prices will be a bit higher in Canada than you are accustomed to.  IMHO they have the best prices and selection in the region. I buy all my tools there (or those that I can not get on ebay). Speak to Jim, he's a great guy.

   Their Tel. # is 250 754 6742.

   I live on Salt Spring Island (very near by) & would be happy to hear from you and provide you with any other info you may need about local sources for tools, wood, shop space etc.

   Gary [email protected]

   let me know what you think after a trip to Midland Tools

8. 
   x372sailor | May 31, 2005 01:19am | #12

   I like to visit Summit Tools here in Vancouver (Burnaby actually).  They always have sales on so you have to watch for best time to buy the tools you want.  Their website is http://www.summit-tools.com/.  They used to advertise tools and prices at the website but now just give links to their flyers (e.g. http://www.summit-tools.com/Flyer.html).

   I have recently discovered Northern Building Supply in Vancouver and bought a Bostitch angle finish nailer (15 ga.) for about $50.00 less than quoted by Summit Tools.  Their site is http://www.northernbuilding.com/.

   My favourite place for hand tools you have already found - Lee Valley - can't beat them!

   Brian

1. 
   danfromsaskatoon | May 31, 2005 06:48am | #13

   thanks for the links live in saskatoon so pretty limited dan

9. 
   jcman | May 31, 2005 11:31am | #14

   you might want to try http://www.canadiantire.com for a selection of canadian made hand and power tools. they may not be the "deluxe" type of tools you might be looking for, but they can get the job done.

   I live in Minnesota, and when I first started woodworking 5 years ago I was on a tight budget while trying to find tools. I found a store that bought-sold-traded tools and found some reman. "Mastercraft" brand tools, (bought them because they were cheap) and I had no problems with any of them. I finally upgraded from them, but I was satisfied.

   sawdust for breakfast, lunch, dinner.

    

10. 
    WillGeorge | Jun 02, 2005 08:58pm | #15

    Old Post.. BUT Try and call Tool Crib at Amazon.com.. Aske Who knows.. Have good prices. Worth a try!

    EDIT: Sorry I did not read.. Amazon seems to not ship tools to Canada  DHA!

    
    

    ---

    Edited 6/2/2005 1:59 pm ET by Will George

1. 
   timrowledge | Jun 02, 2005 09:37pm | #16

   Yeah, it really annoyed me when I got told at the last part of ordering and "Oh, sorry, we don't ship to Canada".I have found a couple of interesting sites over the last few days:-http://www.toolking.com ship to canada >and< claim to handle the import/tax hassles.
   http://www.woodworker.com (Woodworker's Supply) ship to canada but you ahve to call to sort out shipping costs
   http://www.nicks.ca does alot of dustt collector stuff and some tools
   http://www.islandsaw.com do fein, delta and portercable
   http://www.rockler.com ship international butwill email a quote after you order online

11. 
    sedna | Jun 14, 2005 11:45pm | #17

    It has been my experience that many online suppliers actually do ship to Canada, even though the website may say they don't. Talk to them. I just bought a delta tenoning jig and had it shipped up. It was a lot cheaper than House of tools and took only a week. The shipper was planning to send it UPS, I asked for shipment bu US Postal system and saved a lot more. They suggest delivery in 4-6 weeks but that is BS. It was here in six days.
    Keith

12. 
    Walker1 | Jun 29, 2005 01:31am | #18

    If your in the lowermainland you should check out KMS TOOLS inCoquitlam,best supplier for power tools big and small,as well as the best prices,and the are usually willing to deal a liitle.I bought all my new General machines there. They have a monthly mail and e flyer. http://www.kmstools.com . But for hand tools,Lee Valley is the best. One more thing,there is a woodworking show that comes to the lowermainland in the fall,not sure if it goes to the island ,but if it doesnt its worth the trip (wood workers heaven). Kms or House of tools can tell you when. 

1. 
   timrowledge | Jun 29, 2005 05:56am | #19

   Thanks for the advice; I have KMS in my bookmarks file now and if I ever bother to hit the mainland I'll have to see about visiting them. Their website is rather disapppinting though. I mean , seven (count'em!) routers on offer.Someone earlier in the thread suggested Midlan Tools in Nanaimo and I finally got to visit them last week. Aside from some dipstick dropping an axe on my shoulder (!) whilst I was browsing around - no serious damamge thoughthebruise is goingto take a while to fade - it's a quite good store. Prices are a bit spendy though, with a DeWalt 625 at C$399 as opposed to US$250 (C$300) typically online. Useful for need-it-now stuff though.
   I did manage to get to the Lee Valley store in Vancouver last november and it is certainly impressive. I can't bear to think how much money I have sent them over the last 15 years...