I will be going on holiday in march 2008 from the United Kingdom to Orlando and I plan to use the holiday as an opportunity to purchase tools.I am aware there is a Woodcraft store in Orlando which I plan to visit Can anyone help me with he following questions
(1) 8mm router bits Woodcraft list a small number are there any other suppliers
(2) Other than Woodcraft are there any other tool suppliers in the Orlando area worth a visit
(3) Does anyone have any experience of ordering tools to be delivered by carrier to a Disney hotel
(4)Does anyone have any experience of purchasing tools in the USA to take back to the United kingdom That is are there any do,s and donots in respect to customs I have read there may be a issue with tools which have magnets
regards Charnwood
Edited 6/26/2007 3:00 pm by charnwood123
Replies
My experience traveling has taught me to go light, only what you can carry in a small backpack. Never check a bag, don't take anything you don't want to lose and absolutely no metal.
With the internet, you can order items from around the world and have them shipped to your door. It's often less expensive and they take care of all the paperwork. Otherwise, you have to deal with the Gestapo and that is unpleasant. Hope you have a great trip.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I would be surprised if you were permitted to carry-on any tool with an edge on it, including router bits. International flights are particularly tight (I do a fair amount of international flying, and the UK-US routes are among the most tightly watched).Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
My thoughts on tools with sharp edges
If the tools were in my main luggage within the aircraft I would of thought it would not present a problem I agree that it would be unacceptable to carry tools with sharp edges as part of hand luggage
What comments do others have
regards Charnwood
Edited 6/29/2007 4:56 pm by charnwood123
Edited 6/29/2007 4:59 pm by charnwood123
I agree.You should not have problems checking a bag with tools in it, but I'd expect trouble trying to carry one on in hand luggage. You might get away with it, but probably not. Given that they will not allow you to carry on more than 3 oz (90 cc) of water, I wouldn't wager anything on getting a pair of skew chisels, a dovetail saw or 8 mm router bits past the TSA.Some of the TSA are pleasant and congenial, others are vexed and not very bright, so I would not bet on being able to explain the difference between an 8 mm bit and a 9mm bullet...Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Hopefully, you did not pick Disney World as your first trip to the US. If so, please do not get the impression that the US is Disney World. Come up North to the Midwest, and see the Heartland. Way more tool suppliers anyway. And the greatest city on Earth (oh, and of my birth) Chicago.All kidding aside, have a great trip. I would agree with most of the posts on carrying sharp objects. Why not just buy stuff and haul it all to the nearest FedEx location and ship it home. It's really not that expensive.
A big thank you to everyone who has replied
If Fedex my purchase in addition to the shipping charge I will have to pay an additional 23.5% on top of the cost of my purchases for UK vat tax 17.5% handling charge Uk postal service about 3% and there may be an addional tax of 3% leved on tools
None of these costs are incurred if I purchase the tools as part of my $500 duty free allowance
regards Charnwood
I visited the USA on holiday in the early 1990,s on three separate ocassions before I realized you had a wonderful selection of tools
The areas I visited were three separate trips
Honeymoon Orlando (one week ) and Jamacia (one week)
A holiday to Boston and New England(two weeks )
A three week flydrive 4500 miles California
Silly me the only tools I saw were in Sears
I am now returning for a fourth time with the wife and two children Alex(boy ) aged 8 and Georgia aged 12My last visit was in 1994
regards Charnwood
Edited 6/30/2007 3:09 pm by charnwood123
Edited 6/30/2007 3:11 pm by charnwood123
Edited 6/30/2007 3:13 pm by charnwood123
Edited 6/30/2007 3:16 pm by charnwood123
I've been to WDW (Disney World) 30+ times over the years and It will take you months to take it all in if ever. The Woodcraft store is about 36Mi, 45Km from Disneyworld with some of the most hair raising driving conditions you could imagine. I-4 is a race track through Orlando. The Disney Hotels are now gated and I doubt if you could get a delivery. I personally think your best bet is to order on line and pay the shipping and make the most of your fun time enjoying the Kingdoms. My favorite hotel, for my budget, is The French Quarters(Riverside) nice and relaxed. Wilderness Lodge is where I want to stay, Their Artist Point Restaurant is the best. Highly suggest you do a lot or reading of The Official Guide Walt Disney World by Birnbaum. An absolute must read to make the most of your visit.
8MM bits in the USA are like frogs hair.
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Thankyou for your post I was told the woodcraft store a Casselberry was only about 6 miles from Disney ???
Maybe 6 miles as the Crow flies ;-)Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
If shipping via UPS there's always the option of having it held for pickup. I'm sure there's a time limit on how long before they ship it back to the sender but if you timed it right that might work. Not sure what's involved on having it marked that way to start with but once you know the tracking number, you can call and arrange it yourself with UPS.
If you build it he will come.
Charnwood,
I'm afraid not much in and around Orlando for tool suppliers. There are a few industrial suppliers and commercial cabinet supply places but Woodcraft would probably be your best bet. The one other I am aware of is Moon's Saw and Tool. I believe they have a web site.
A previous poster is correct, Walt Disney World and the Casselberry Woodcraft aren't that close. Depending on time of day will have a lot to do with your drive time.
Security measures are such that getting tools from retail to hotel and then onto a plane for home seem problematic. I would ship directly from retailer to your home as others have already said.
March is a fine time of year for a visit here. If you have any other questions about the area or about Disney I'd be more than glad to try and help.
Have a great holiday,
-Paul
I'll bet if a post about WDW were started at the cafe` it would turn into a 300 hitter.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
You are right. I'm not sure I'd want to start it , though.
-Paul
Thank you to everyone for your replies
The reason for exploring making my purchases while I am in the USA rather than having tools shipped from the USA to the United Kingdom is
If I purchase the tools myself in the USA I have a United Kingdom duty free allowance of $500 approx
If I ship the products from the USA. I have to pay at least $50 for shipping $87.5 VAT(United Kingdom Value added tax ) and a handling fee of $15
Therefore my 500 puchase now costs a least $652
Further if I spend $1500 and use the duty free allowance of other members of the family the difference in price is $1500 compared with $1856
regards Charnwood
You may want to see how close International Tool is to Orlando. Over the years I have ordered from them and have always been very satisfied. http://www.internationaltool.com/
Dave
Dave: Great thought about Int'l Tool but unless they have a location other than in Davie, FL next to Ft. Lauderdale it's a 2-3 hr. drive from Orlando. The store is probably twice the size of Woodcraft. Don't think I've ever been there and come out empty handed.
Bruce
I live in Orlando and am quite familiar with the local Woodcraft store, but haven't any recommendations beyond those already offered. If you'd like me to respond to any other questions, I would welcome an email. Jim
Dear Jimma,
Thank you for your response.Can you please advise if I would be able to obtain any discount on my tool purchases dependant on the amount of money I spend.I plan to spend about $1500
regards Brian
Not that I am aware of, Brian. Most all tools and accessories can be bought at a discount on the internet, but I doubt you'd have time for that. Here, all of the stores that sell the things you've inquired about are strictly retail unless you just happen to find a special discount. I just returned a few minutes ago from Woodcraft, as a matter of fact, and only an odd item or two were on special sale prices. Plus -- you'll have a seven percent sales tax to pay as well. If you do have an interest in buying on line, some of the sellers are able to arrange one or two day shipping at an additional cost, but that raises the issue again of receiving packages at your hotel. You might email the hotel for a definite ruling. Good luck! Jim
Charnwood,
If I were you, I'd call your hotel in Orlando and ask if you can make arrangements to receive a package via UPS or Fed Ex. All full service hotels that I know of do (I frequently do this for work). If your hotel says yes, contact a good tool dealer like Lee Valley, Highland Hardware, Tools for Working Wood, or Lie Nielsen (depending on what your looking for). Tell them that you'd like to place an order for $1,500 worth of tools and have them shipped to your hotel in Orlando on a certain date. The worst that can happen is that they say no. Then, to get the tools back home, check the box/s on your plane for your return trip. There isn't a problem checking tools with your baggage (I've done it many times), but obviously you cannot carry on any sharp edge tools on the aircraft. You may want to consider purchasing a heavy duty plastic container or tool box to pack the tools in for the return trip. Remember that most airlines charge a fee for any "suitcases" that exceed 50lbs.
Good luck.
Thank you to everyone for your replies and suggestions
Can anyone please clarify if the prices on the Woodcraft site include the 7% tax or is this added .Further do I need to pay the tax if I am buying the tools to take the UK.
In the uk it is possible to claim back the tax paid on purchases if they are being taken out of the country
regards Charnwood
State and local taxes are always added on to the listed price and the State Governors always want their money. Here in Ohio, out of Country or out of State visitors have to pay the tax unless you mail order from another state then your supposed to file that tax and pay it on your State income tax form. But the Canadians are more friendly, Out of Country visitors can reclaim their value added tax at the boarder.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Dear Bruce Thank you for you reply
To give an indication of price differences between the United Kingdom and the USA I have listed examples below
Lie Nielsen chisels USA.$321 UK. $358
Lie Nielsen no 5 and a half USA $347 UK $464
Tite mark gauge USA. $91 UK $138
Please note I have added tax at 7% to the USA prices so prices in both columns are the actual price you would expect to pay
regards Charnwood
Edited 7/7/2007 5:23 pm by charnwood123
Edited 7/7/2007 5:27 pm by charnwood123
Edited 7/7/2007 5:28 pm by charnwood123
In the case of the LN tools, I don't believe there would be any tax unless they are purchased in the state of Maine. In the US, sales taxes are most often levied within the state in which they are bought only and not over the internet if that store has no physical presence within the state. However, if a company has a retail presence, such as a store, in the state in which the purchase is made, then the sales tax does apply and is collected by the store. So, for example, if you buy a LN plane from Woodcraft while you are in Orlando, you will be charged sales tax. Or, if you buy a tool over the internet from the Woodcraft website while in Orlando, sales tax will be collected as there is a Woodcraft store in Florida (several, actually). If you buy the tool over the internet directly from LN while you are in orlando, no tax will be collected. Sorry if this is confusing, but your example is not technically correct aside from just making the cost comparison with UK prices for a LN tool. JimNote: There is such a thing as a "use" tax which actually applies, but few observe it and vertainly not visitors. One day they're going to get this tax thing worked out and we'll all be paying it.
A BIG BIG thank you for your reply I now feel I am in a clearer understanding on how to proceed
regards Charnwood
When do you expect to arrive in Orlando? I am leaving this Saturday (July 14) for two weeks, but would be happy to chat by phone if you have more questions. Jim
My holiday to Orlando is not until 18th April 2008
The reason for making my post now is to give me the maximum thinking time so I can have the best possible approach to buying tools during the 16 days i will be in Orlando
Again many thanks Regards
Charnwood
Edited 7/11/2007 3:48 pm by charnwood123
WoW! That is planning ahead! My wife and I just returned from the UK. Too bad I didn't know you wanted something or I could have dropped it off. Of course, by 2008 the exchange rate might be even more in your favor.
Brian - I've shipped tons (well not quite, LOL) of stuff to myself while staying at a hotel with never a problem. You could check with the hotel just to be certain (and don't forget a well-placed tip ;-) never hurts).
My usual plane plan is to never check anything I don't want to loose, but I don't think you will have a choice in this case. Are you considering electric tools - voltage and frequency issues.
I'd be concerned re loading them as simple baggage, check the insurance and see if you can get higher coverage.
As for Disney, well maybe once.
Have a great trip!
Charnwood, not sure of the exect dates that you will be here, or where you connecting flights are returing through. But March 8-9 in Charlotte NC and March 14-16th in Chantilly VA they have the annual Woodworking Shows. They have many shows specials that reduce the price. But you need to watch out, sometines you order it and it is shipped to you. Lee valley is the worst about that. Try the link
http://www.thewoodworkingshows.com/
And take a look around.
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