For the Wichita folks who haven't been down to the Big Tool Store during the
past 1 to 1-1/2 years I would suggest a visit. Those folks have really
expanded their display floor space and their selection of quality
woodworking tools. The cover all the bases from power to hand tools.
Prices are in the competitive to slightly high range but they blow the big
boxes and Sunflower/White Star out the window with selection, convenience
and knowledge.
Give them a look.
RonB
PS: No affiliation, just impressed with their effort.
"RonB" <[email protected]> said:
>>. Else, my bank account would have suffered much more than it has.
>
>Yeah and that pesky Fall sale is coming up in about 5-6 weeks.
>
Doesn't look like their website is quite ready for prime time yet - at
least not for online shopping - so maybe the bank account still has
some level of protection.
RonB wrote:
> For the Wichita folks who haven't been down to the Big Tool Store during the
> past 1 to 1-1/2 years I would suggest a visit. Those folks have really
> expanded their display floor space and their selection of quality
> woodworking tools. The cover all the bases from power to hand tools.
> Prices are in the competitive to slightly high range but they blow the big
> boxes and Sunflower/White Star out the window with selection, convenience
> and knowledge.
>
> Give them a look.
>
> RonB
>
> PS: No affiliation, just impressed with their effort.
I have been there recently and ain't impressed. I know the owners and am even
less impressed with them. They don't really carry anything that can't be found
elsewhere for less and have always gotten confused when I ask about a specific
tool.
I'm still looking for a good woodworking supply house in the area, have any
other suggestions?
> I'm still looking for a good woodworking supply house in the area, have
> any
> other suggestions?
That's it. Since Brush and Board closed years ago Wichita has been a
woodworker's wasteland. Sunflower was trying for a while but didn't seem to
have any direction. I also got tired of having to take half of their
merchandise to the counter to find out what it costs.
There is not another store I know of where you can go to touch and buy
Powermatic, Delta, Dewalt, Shop Fox and other floor tools not to mention a
host of power and non-power hand tools. Kind of leaves you with KC (not
much there except Woodcraft and Turnaboutwood (if they are still there -
site down)) or Springfield. The Guys at the Big Tool Store seem to be making
an effort to serve the woodworkers.
There was a decent little hardwood store on N Waco but he sold out and the
guys who took over turned it into a cabinet shop. Most of my hardwood comes
from Oxford but I'm checking sources near Oswego and SW MO.
Ron
Ron
"RonB" <[email protected]> wrote in news:bk1Dg.18774$LF4.54@dukeread05:
> For the Wichita folks who haven't been down to the Big Tool Store
> during the past 1 to 1-1/2 years I would suggest a visit. Those folks
> have really expanded their display floor space and their selection of
> quality woodworking tools. The cover all the bases from power to hand
> tools. Prices are in the competitive to slightly high range but they
> blow the big boxes and Sunflower/White Star out the window with
> selection, convenience and knowledge.
>
> Give them a look.
>
> RonB
>
> PS: No affiliation, just impressed with their effort.
>
>
I agree with the other threads. Big Tool Store is ok if, you're looking for
power tools. Their prices are right at retail. I haven't found anywhere
that has good quality woodworking hand tools around Wichita - non existant.
Wood is also a problem - I go down to Oxford. White Millworks in Udall also
has small quanities of Oak and some plywood. They'll order most anything. I
ordered some 5/4 quarter sawn oak from them years ago and was pleased.
Since they're a mill they'll sell you the lumber in any form and will
straight line & surface it to your exact requirements - If you want it
7/8" thick they'll do it. Call before you go.
Brush & Board was also my choice for years. They tried for several years to
find a buyer and no one wanted to take it on. It would've been tough
competing with big boxes and the street project that took a long time.
r payne <[email protected]> said:
>
>
>RonB wrote:
>
>> For the Wichita folks who haven't been down to the Big Tool Store during the
>> past 1 to 1-1/2 years I would suggest a visit.
<snip>
>
>I have been there recently and ain't impressed. I know the owners and am even
>less impressed with them. They don't really carry anything that can't be found
>elsewhere for less and have always gotten confused when I ask about a specific
>tool.
>
>I'm still looking for a good woodworking supply house in the area, have any
>other suggestions?
Perhaps things have changed. I'm on the west side out near Goddard and
don't get to that side of town very often. But, I've always been very
satisfied with my dealings with them. In fact, I'm sorta thankful
there was an entire metropolitan area separating us. Else, my bank
account would have suffered much more than it has.
"RonB" <[email protected]> said:
>Yeah and that pesky Fall sale is coming up in about 5-6 weeks.
Wasn't aware they had a web presence but:
http://www.bigtoolstore.com
Haven't looked past the initial page yet, but I'm afraid the
protection afforded by the distance may have diminished.