Tool shops in Boston USA

[The Bear]

Hi all

I'm going over there early next month. Anyone know of any worth a visit. I'm after some blades for the table saw (mines got a 5/8 inch arbour so no probs there) and maybe some impulse purchases.

On the subject of saw blades what would you recommend from the american market. 10 inch diametre , want a rip and crosscut capable of doing ply and veneered MDF.

Thanks

Mark

 

[lurker]

I went there 2 years ago & of course wanted to look at woody things

Boston city centre is virtually useless for shops unless you are after touristv tat.

There is a good one right out at Cambridge - their equivalent to the underground goes most of the way.

Whilst you are over there a nice day out is Plimouth plantation - about first english settlers in it most days is this bloke:

http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/

Check before hand he is in the day you visit

There is a big DIY barn on the free way junction from Boston into Plymouth - the £ = 2$ when I was there & I bought lots of small consumables


There is a forum member not far away but I'd not realised until I got back

This bloke : http://toolemera.com/

Also (somewhere) there is a quite famous wood school - again I got back before I knew.

 

[FogggyTown]

Any time you are anywhere in the USA, going to s Sears store (a large one) can be a rewarding experience for a tool freak.

 

[Grinding One]

Any time you are anywhere in the USA, going to s Sears store (a large one) can be a rewarding experience for a tool freak.

That is before Christmas(All is on sale then)
Not being from the East Coast(But Visited once) you can find anything with a visit to your yellow pages phone book.Norm`s place is in Mass.toward the east end of the state.Woodcraft is all over the country,go to a book store pick up a copy of Wood Magazine and in the back of it are addresses...Or better yet go online,to find some

 

[9fingers]

Mark,

As well as 10" saw blades, I suggest you look at the pack of de-walt skil saw blades.
There are at least two different numbers of teeth available and these are fine kerf and very good for fine work. They might only be 7-1/4 " but that still give me a reasonable depth of cut on my 10" saw. Sometimes called framing saw blades.
They are sold in packs of 5 in places like Home Depot and Lowes for about $30. another brand is Oldham and they have been good too.
At that price I also keep a few for "controlled abuse" such a cutting ali sheet. I know the tooth geometry is wrong but they work and the price is right.
Another one got used for cutting fibre cement tiles (slate look-a-like) for the workshop roof.

Bob

 

[Grinding One]

Mark,

As well as 10" saw blades, I suggest you look at the pack of de-walt skil saw blades.
There are at least two different numbers of teeth available and these are fine kerf and very good for fine work. They might only be 7-1/4 " but that still give me a reasonable depth of cut on my 10" saw. Sometimes called framing saw blades.
They are sold in packs of 5 in places like Home Depot and Lowes for about $30. another brand is Oldham and they have been good too.
At that price I also keep a few for "controlled abuse" such a cutting ali sheet. I know the tooth geometry is wrong but they work and the price is right.
Another one got used for cutting fibre cement tiles (slate look-a-like) for the workshop roof.

A very good blade is made by Forrest

Bob

 

[matthewwh]

Hi,

Lots of woodie goodies in Boston.

There's the Rockler store; 2154 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge (mentioned above) small but well stocked and the staff are very helpful.

Ditto for Woodcraft; 313 Montvale Ave, Woburn if you're heading north it's literally 30 seconds off the 93.

There's a big Home Depot in Watertown - Arsenal Street, or if you're in a position to receive mail before you get there, you could get a bunch of shopping online.

Have fun!

 

[The Bear]

Thanks for all the info.
I will definitely be fitting in a trip to Rockler in Cambridge, and seeing what else fits my schedule.

Mark

 

[Shultzy]

Mark, did you see the pm I sent to you?

 

[user 5024]

This reminds me of a time , long ago, when I was able to bring back razor sharp Japanese saws and chisels from The Japan Woodworker near San Francisco Airport, as hand luggage.

I think the logic at "security checks" was that if it was not a gun it could not possibly be a weapon.

In more recent years I have had hold luggage X rayed as well as hand luggage.

I expect however that small tools that do not look like guns on the x ray would be OK in hold luggage.

 

[JanneKi]

This reminds me of a time , long ago, when I was able however that small tools that do not look like guns on the x ray would be OK in hold luggage.

I would have to disagree. After 911 it's gone berserk. I could not get to the airplane while having a router bit (still sealed in the package, including the gunk they put on the bit). You can't even stab with a router bit to make any damage, but nevertheless I had to put it to the cargo...

 

[user 5024]

Hi JanneKi

I am sure that we are agreeing about tools in HAND luggage.

Are you saying that router bits were not even allowed in HOLD luggage?

 

[JanneKi]

They were put to hold luggage, that was OK.

 

[Grinding One]

This reminds me of a time , long ago, when I was able however that small tools that do not look like guns on the x ray would be OK in hold luggage.

I would have to disagree. After 911 it's gone berserk. I could not get to the airplane while having a router bit (still sealed in the package, including the gunk they put on the bit). You can't even stab with a router bit to make any damage, but nevertheless I had to put it to the cargo...

Do not know about English planes but if you load here to go anywhere almost anything that will cut anything is taboo....and they will confiskate it too as contraband.The planes that were hijacked used box cutters (razor knifes)and no liquid of more then an 1 oz is aloud.( the deadly chemical weapon).Do not even mention bombs or terr. you will find yourself off of the plane quick.

 

[lurker]

Stuff is fine in hold baggage.

I always bring strange (to x rays) looking stuff back or I did when the $/£ rate made it worthwhile.
There was often a note in the case from USA homeland security saying they had had a rummage, but I've not lost anything yet.

Mind you I go to trouble of not to fly via Thiefrow.

 

[Tierney]

I've been to woodcraft a few times (orlando branch); they have a great selection; but, if you are looking for something specific it is worth ringing ahead to make sure they have it in stock - from recollection it may have taken nearly a week for one item to come in.