JP

Jay Pique

31/10/2003 8:43 PM

Lee Valley - The Playboy of Tool Porn

Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
(I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?

DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.

JP
****************
A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!


This topic has 18 replies

MD

"Michael Daly"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 8:28 PM

On 1-Nov-2003, "Carolyn Marenger" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Check out Busy Bee Tools. Canadian company, very good quality, low
> priced tools.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion. Personally, I'd take out
the "very good quality" part myself. They sell imports that are,
in some cases, _way_ behind the market in quality/features. I
haven't seen anything that matches the quality of well known
brands like Delta. They are cheaper. You get what you pay for.

They sell some fiddly bits that are the same as what Lee Valley
carries and some are cheaper, some are pricier. Lee Valley and
Busy Bee are equal driving distances from my house. I go to Lee
Valley exclusively.

Mike

PP

"Paul Prunkel"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 12:24 PM

Try the ads in the magazines.
"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
> requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
> delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
> Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
> got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
> DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>
> JP
> ****************
> A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!

Nn

Nova

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 2:19 AM

Jay Pique wrote:

> Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
> requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
> delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
> Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
> got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?

Also try:

http://www.garrettwade.com/


--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

JP

Jay Pique

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

02/11/2003 10:08 AM

On Sat, 01 Nov 2003 04:03:28 GMT, Mark & Juanita
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
>[email protected] says...

>> DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>>
>
>"Do Not A Google Search?"
>"Did Not A Google Search?"
>"Dried Nuts Are Good Snacks?"
>
> Aaargh! Just type the flippin' phrase and be done wi' it!

Did nary a google search.

JP
**************************
Annoying acrophobics since 1970.

jj

jbacke

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 4:28 AM

On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 20:43:23 -0500, Jay Pique <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
>requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
>delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
>(I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
>Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
>got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
>the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
>woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
>above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
>DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>
>JP
>****************
>A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!


http://www.woodworkerssupply.com

You can even browse the print catalog online. I used to live near a
Woodworkers Supply so I may be biased, but I think they're the best.

One of these days I'll need to order a Lee Valley catalog.


Jeff
____________________________________________
You won't notice the splinters in the ladder of success,
unless you are sliding down.

MJ

Mark & Juanita

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

02/11/2003 2:12 AM

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> "Carolyn Marenger" wrote
> > Check out Busy Bee Tools. <snip> I'd take the low quality catalog any
> day.
>
> Perhaps you should look at the Lee Valley catalog first. Lee Valley and
> Busy Bee aren't even the same type of store. Yes woodworkers may shop at
> both but that's like saying a mechanic buys from Snap-On and Ace Hardware.
> Well, almost.
>

... or like saying a mechanic buys tools from Pep Boys.

> --
>
> Cheers,
> Howard
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Working wood in New Jersey - [email protected]
> Visit me in the woodshop - www.inthewoodshop.org
>
>
>

LL

Lazarus Long

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 5:13 PM

the Garrett Wade catalog is in that category - Tool Porn.

Uh, pardon me, gotta go..........


On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 20:43:23 -0500, Jay Pique <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
>requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
>delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
>(I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
>Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
>got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
>the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
>woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
>above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
>DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>
>JP
>****************
>A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!

HR

"Howard Ruttan"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 2:30 PM


"Carolyn Marenger" wrote
> Check out Busy Bee Tools. <snip> I'd take the low quality catalog any
day.

Perhaps you should look at the Lee Valley catalog first. Lee Valley and
Busy Bee aren't even the same type of store. Yes woodworkers may shop at
both but that's like saying a mechanic buys from Snap-On and Ace Hardware.
Well, almost.

--

Cheers,
Howard

----------------------------------------------------------
Working wood in New Jersey - [email protected]
Visit me in the woodshop - www.inthewoodshop.org

JT

"James T. Kirby"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

02/11/2003 8:55 AM

If you want the real porn :^)

www.toolsforworkingwood.com

The Japan Woodworker

are my two favorites. Note that the first has a lot of overlap with Lee
Valley, and has better prices (except on Sorby chisels).

The Japan Woodworker is another quality operation like Lee Valley. I haven't
ordered from the first one yet - just found it myself.



Jay Pique wrote:
As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
> DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>
> JP
> ****************
> A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!

--
James T. Kirby
Center for Applied Coastal Research
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716

phone: 302-831-2438
fax: 302-831-1228
email: [email protected]
http://chinacat.coastal.udel.edu/~kirby

MJ

Mark & Juanita

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 4:03 AM

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
> requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
> delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
> Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
> got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
> DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>

"Do Not A Google Search?"
"Did Not A Google Search?"
"Dried Nuts Are Good Snacks?"

Aaargh! Just type the flippin' phrase and be done wi' it!



> JP
> ****************
> A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!
>

JK

Jim K

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 7:29 PM

Harbor Freight comes up a lot in this group. It doesn't handle a lot
of "high quality" tools, but some of the stuff is perfectly useable.
Bascially, it's buyer beware .

On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 20:43:23 -0500, Jay Pique <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
>requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
>delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
>(I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
>Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
>got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
>the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
>woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
>above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
>DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>
>JP
>****************
>A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!

LJ

Larry Jaques

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 7:02 PM

On Sat, 01 Nov 2003 15:23:08 GMT, "Theriault0215"
<[email protected]> brought forth from the murky depths:

>Receiving the Lee Valley catalog reminds me of being a little boy and the
>Sears and Eaton's Christmas Catalogs arriving with pictures of all of the
>new toys.

Be sure to ask for their gardening and hardware cats, too.
Their stainless gardening tools are tops, and their line
of hardware is so large as to give one fits.


--
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
---- --Unknown

Sd

Silvan

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

31/10/2003 11:49 PM

Jay Pique wrote:

> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)

Yeah it sure is. All they need is some nekkit wimminz draped on some of the
tools and it'd be the only thing I ever have to read. :)

> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?

Tool porn wise, I like the Grizzly catalog. It's not in the same leage as
Lee Valley, since they mostly want to sell you green Chiwanese machines,
but I find it fun reading just to look at some of the outrageously
expensive machinery in there and dream of some day being able to belt sand
my entire house in one pass. They also have some damn useful stuff I
haven't seen anywhere else, like the cross slide drill press vise.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

CM

"Carolyn Marenger"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 11:38 AM

On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 20:43:23 -0500, Jay Pique wrote:

> Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
> requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
> delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
> Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
> got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?

Check out Busy Bee Tools. Canadian company, very good quality, low
priced tools. Catalogs are not the same high quality glossies that Lee
Valley produces, but being a customer that in the end pays for the "free"
catalogs, I'd take the low quality catalog any day.

Carolyn

CM

"Carolyn Marenger"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 11:46 AM

On Sat, 01 Nov 2003 11:38:32 -0500, Carolyn Marenger wrote:

> On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 20:43:23 -0500, Jay Pique wrote:
>
>> Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
>> requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
>> delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
>> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
>> Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
>> got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
>> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
>> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
>> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
> Check out Busy Bee Tools. Canadian company, very good quality, low
> priced tools. Catalogs are not the same high quality glossies that Lee
> Valley produces, but being a customer that in the end pays for the "free"
> catalogs, I'd take the low quality catalog any day.
>
> Carolyn

Forgot to add the website. www.busybeetools.com

Carolyn

RS

Roy Smith

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

31/10/2003 8:51 PM

In article <[email protected]>,
Jay Pique <[email protected]> wrote:

> Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
> requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
> delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
> (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
> Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
> got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
> the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
>
> DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
>
> JP
> ****************
> A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!

Other useful and/or interesting catalogs include:

Highland Hardware
Rockler
Japan Woodworker
Grizzly

I'm sure there's others.

JP

Jay Pique

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

02/11/2003 10:16 AM

On Sat, 01 Nov 2003 19:02:41 GMT, Larry Jaques <jake@di\/ersify.com>
wrote:

>On Sat, 01 Nov 2003 15:23:08 GMT, "Theriault0215"
><[email protected]> brought forth from the murky depths:
>
>>Receiving the Lee Valley catalog reminds me of being a little boy and the
>>Sears and Eaton's Christmas Catalogs arriving with pictures of all of the
>>new toys.
>
>Be sure to ask for their gardening and hardware cats, too.
>Their stainless gardening tools are tops, and their line
>of hardware is so large as to give one fits.
> --
>Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
> ---- --Unknown

Thanks for the replies. With all that new tool porn on the way maybe
I can work off some of the hair that has grown on my palms.

JP

TT

"Theriault0215"

in reply to Jay Pique on 31/10/2003 8:43 PM

01/11/2003 3:23 PM

Receiving the Lee Valley catalog reminds me of being a little boy and the
Sears and Eaton's Christmas Catalogs arriving with pictures of all of the
new toys.


"Paul Prunkel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Try the ads in the magazines.
> "Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Just got the Lee Valley catalog in the mail. Talk about service - I
> > requested it online, and it came like 2 days later via expedited
> > delivery. I think I've read it three or four times cover to cover!
> > (I know, I know, *you* already know how good it is...I'll move on.)
> > Are there other catalogs out there that are really worth getting? I
> > got the Harbor Freight one, and was <ahem> less than impressed with
> > the overall quality of the product. As a newbie to this whole
> > woodworking thing, are there certain suppliers you can trust to carry
> > above average quality at decent prices? Any to avoid?
> >
> > DNAGS. Sorry, I'm in a hurry to go turn some tricks for treats.
> >
> > JP
> > ****************
> > A-Basin and Loveland are OPEN for skiing!!!!
>
>


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