Tools in England

[John T Barker]

I will be visiting family in Uxbridge, England in a few days and was hoping to get a look at tool sellers, preferably used. Is anyone here from England or has been there recently that can direct me to some shops or flea markets.

Thanks in advance for any formation.

[Peter Kelly]

There's an Axminster in High Wycombe.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-tool-centre-stores-artlshops

[Kees Heiden]

Here are some adresses:

http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/tooldealers.html

[Chris Fournier]

Be prepared for "sticker shock". I found that English made tools were more expensive in England than they were in Canada. Do check out the stores and flea markets as they have different tools than we have in many cases.

[ian maybury]

Hi John. I'm in Ireland, but buy in the UK, Germany and the US.

My impression is that in the UK in woodworking tools/machines/equipment the trade is mostly made up of (a) large multi product tool and machine outlets operating web shops (like Axminster and Rutlands), (b) machinery suppliers selling mostly to industrial buyers (like Scott and Sergeant), (c) power tool discounters selling over the web, and (d) the enthusiast hand tool, ironmongery and related speciality suppliers to hobby and craft users. There's lots of companies selling finishes and the like too, but they tend to be distributed and sold retail.

Probably the best ways to find especially the last categories is the small ads in the back of UK woodworking mags like Furniture and Cabinet Making, Good Woodworking and British Woodworking. There seem to be quite a few less of these than was the case even ten years ago. There's lots too that hardly have a presence on the web or in the mags - established suppliers of stuff like veneer and ironmongery suppliers and so on.

Forums like these often throw up stuff based on local knowledge that can be hard to otherwise get to - a few evenings trolling might bring some stuff up.: http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/ http://www.woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 http://woodworkuk.co.uk/forum/

The UK hobby/DIY scene while including everything from bodging to amazing tends in general to to be rather more budget oriented than in the US - the focus is often at lower price points. Prices against that tend as Chris says to be 25 - 40% higher than in the US. Buying in Germany can be more cost effective for me. e.g. http://www.fine-tools.com

Here's some assorted links:

http://www.classichandtools.com
http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUK/hUK-index.asp
http://www.rutlands.co.uk
http://www.axminster.co.uk
http://www.woodsmithstore.co.uk
http://www.woodworkingcentreshop.co.uk
http://www.oldtools.co.uk
http://www.theoldtoolshed.co.uk
http://www.hegner.co.uk
http://www.clico.co.uk/cliftonhandtools.html
http://www.toolman.co.uk
http://www.wood-shop.co.uk
http://www.toolstop.co.uk

ian

[Mike Cogswell]

Be sure and get a receipt that can be used to collect a VAT refund at the airport when you leave (and plan for the time to collect it). The 20% VAT in the UK makes things pretty expensive by our standards.

[Brian Deakin]

I live in the UK but purchase many of my tools when on holiday in the USA
Other sources for tools

http://www.tilgear.info/ ( not sure if they still have a shop or internet only)

and http://www.davidstanley.com/ ( if you go onto the site you can view the items see view catalogue)

there is an auction of tools on 23rd March see web site for details and images of products Please note this is an international auction and not a general auction of tools The difference being the international sale are more collectors tools looking through the images on the site should clarify the type of tools they auction


regards Brian

[John T Barker]

Thanks for all the info folks. I'm not sure if I can break away from the family or successfully drag them to a tool store. Is there a chance that some of the known flea markets, i.e. Portabello Road will have good stuff to drool over (infills and the like.)

Thanks,
John

[Mike Cogswell]

Do NOT take your spouse to Portobello Road. If you do there won't be any tool money left!

[John T Barker]

Do NOT take your spouse to Portobello Road. If you do there won't be any tool money left!

That would be true if they sell antique soccer (sorry, football) balls there. She is not your average woman.

John

[Larry Whitlow]

Do NOT take your spouse to Portobello Road. If you do there won't be any tool money left!

Was there (Portobello Road) many years ago. Had some really good fish & chips at this walk out place called the Fish Pond. If memory serves the flea market pours out into the street one day each week. Seems like they had a lot of just about everything. Don't remember seeing any tools, but wasn't really looking for any at the time.

[Jim Palmer]

I will be visiting family in Uxbridge, England in a few days and was hoping to get a look at tool sellers, preferably used. Is anyone here from England or has been there recently that can direct me to some shops or flea markets.

Thanks in advance for any formation.

My brother-in-law lives in Uxbridge, so I'll give him a call and ask if he knows of a few places in that area.

[John T Barker]

My brother-in-law lives in Uxbridge, so I'll give him a call and ask if he knows of a few places in that area.

Thank you, I'd appreciate that.

John

[Tom Vanzant]

As with most flea markets, the tools are where you find them... look low. I got a ...Kimberly sash fillister (fillitser) on Portobello Rd for 30 pounds a number of years ago. It was complete and original except for the nicker wedge. The heel end was beat up from strikes from a claw hammer but otherwise was in great shape.

[Brian Deakin]

Dear John
Did you purchase any tools on your trip to the United Kingdom

regards Brian

[Jim Palmer]

Thank you, I'd appreciate that.

John

I'm sorry it took a while to reply, but my brother-in-law has been working away from home and only returned last night. He's going to check locally during the next few days, but says the second hand tool shops he used to haunt are no longer there. You may have some luck in and around Reading, which is closer and easier to get to from Uxbridge than Central and East London.

[Jane Ryan]

The links are helpful! thank you :rolleyes::);)

[William Fretwell]

Just came back from England two days ago and like you wanted to look for some interesting old tools. Reading was my home town way back and did have a large flea market area on Oxford St, west side of town coming out of Broad St. No idea if it is still there. In my extensive travels I found some family run tool stores but virtually no good old tools. One pair of Japanese chisels was overpriced.
Don’t forget when you order new from outside England you don’t pay the 17.5% sales tax included in their prices.
I would look on the local internet sales site such as Gumtree in your area for tool bargains.