Yes the slightly click baity title will disappoint you when you found out I went to the local Axminster Tools store today 
I’d not been in a while and had time for a proper walk round and look at everything and it was a reminder of how enjoyable visiting a store actually is compared to online shopping.
Where else can you go and actually put your hands on some Veritas planes / saws and give them a quick go and walk out with one there and then if you want.
I think almost all the bandsaws they stock were on display (as well as lathes, pillar drills, planer thicknessers, dust extractors)- great for visualising one in our small workshops.
There’s even a small selection of wood you can purchase
And they even have new tools in you can look at like the new Festool TS60
If you haven’t been to an Axminster store or don’t have one close - if you’re travelling for Christmas then perhaps see if you can stop off. The High Wycombe one is convenient - about 2 minutes off J4 of the M40. There’s a big out of town John Lewis nearby as well so if travelling with family you could drop them there first and tell them you’ll see them in an hour
Note I'm not trying to advertise Axminster - it was just nice to go into a tool shop and look, see and touch tools. E.G. very easy to compare the TS55 and the Mafell 55 when they are right next to each other and feel the ergonomics of each, or try both the Bosch axial glide and the Kapex 120 plus lots of other tools, accessories, benches (Sjoberg benches - seem very overpriced for what they are!) etc.
I’d not been in a while and had time for a proper walk round and look at everything and it was a reminder of how enjoyable visiting a store actually is compared to online shopping.
Where else can you go and actually put your hands on some Veritas planes / saws and give them a quick go and walk out with one there and then if you want.
I think almost all the bandsaws they stock were on display (as well as lathes, pillar drills, planer thicknessers, dust extractors)- great for visualising one in our small workshops.
There’s even a small selection of wood you can purchase
And they even have new tools in you can look at like the new Festool TS60
If you haven’t been to an Axminster store or don’t have one close - if you’re travelling for Christmas then perhaps see if you can stop off. The High Wycombe one is convenient - about 2 minutes off J4 of the M40. There’s a big out of town John Lewis nearby as well so if travelling with family you could drop them there first and tell them you’ll see them in an hour
Note I'm not trying to advertise Axminster - it was just nice to go into a tool shop and look, see and touch tools. E.G. very easy to compare the TS55 and the Mafell 55 when they are right next to each other and feel the ergonomics of each, or try both the Bosch axial glide and the Kapex 120 plus lots of other tools, accessories, benches (Sjoberg benches - seem very overpriced for what they are!) etc.
Clever way to get us in the door. 
