where to buy in Kent region?

[Kopke]

Hi all,

I am a Dutch woodworker, and will visit the Uk this month to do some shopping.
Woodworking is a bit rare in my country, and there is only one specialist shop in the whole country.
That is why I am travelling to the UK. I am looking for tools (japanese saws, imperial units measuring equipment) ,machines (Planer Thicknesser) and finishing products.

Can you recommend me some shops within about an hours drive from Canterburry?
(I don't know if forum rules allow this, if so please send me PM.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rhossydd]

First choice ? Axminster Power Tools in Sittingbourne should be an easy drive from Dover, about 45mins according to Google.
A look at their web site could confirm availability there of anything you're particularly interested in.

Scott+Sargeant in Horsham is a little over your time limit, but might be worth the trek if you're interested in big machinery.

There are various other small shops scattered around the countryside too.
Timberline in Tonbridge have a limited range of tools, but are mainly an exotic timber merchant.

 

[Kopke]

Thanks!
Axminster is on the list, that was the shop I found in the Cabinet Makers magazine.
I also found Machinemart in Deal in the magazine, is it worth a visit?

 

[Rhossydd]

Machinemart in Deal in the magazine

I wouldn't advise you to go out of your way for them, they're not really a woodworking specialist shop, they just sell low end cheap machinery.

I'm not local to Kent any more, but hopefully someone who knows the area well will advise further.

 

[Smithy]

Hi. There is a woodturning shop ten minutes from the port of Dover. They are called Stiles and Bates and stock a good range of Record Power machinery. They do have a website and I have found them to be very helpful. Good shopping

Mike

 

[katellwood]

Thanet tool supplies, http://www.thanettoolsupplies.co.uk/ Ashford Cattle Market. used to have the best selection of Japanese tools in the country but still stock a wide range of woodworking tools also Folkestone fixings http://www.ffx.co.uk/ in Folkestone. But Axminsters has to the best its more like visiting a show than a shop

 

[SteveF]

katellwood have u been to thanet tools?

i anger at the fact they are closed on sunday mornings....bootfair time

i often consider going there when they are open
axminster in sittingbourne is my "sweety shop"

steve

 

[katellwood]

Have I been to Thanet Tools





I should say so (years ago) always came out with empty pockets and the wife still thinks they were a fiver each

Seriously I only go now when Hobbs Parker do their Friday tool and garden machinery auction about four times a year. Axminster is far too close for a safe bank balance

 

[Kopke]

Thank all!

At least we will visit Thanet tools and Axminster.
I see huge differences in pricing, so I will have to plan my shopping list online in advance.
60% price differencefor the same tape measure (Fisco UM3ME): at Thanet for £4.70, Axminster asks £5.77 and at FFX tools for £7.51

 

[Kopke]

Today we went to first shops.
The only purchase in Deal was our lunch. At Tool Stations we only picked up a catalog.
Not all the items on my list are on stock at Thanet, but I did spent some money there.
To us the real surprise was Stiles an Bates. My budget for the other stores is a bit lower now ;-)

Another nice shop is Smoke on the Water in Sandwich. We bought a lot of chalk paint there.

So tomorrow we will visit Axminster. (And to keep the wife happy, the Blue Water shopping mall.)

 

[katellwood]

Bluewater, this close to Xmas, that's the whole day gone finding a parking place

 

[WillRiseley]

Definitely worth a trip to stiles and bates, located about 5 mins drive from the port and very well stocked with tooling and timber. Some rare timbers and friendly staff that will give you a great british welcome.

If you need power tools ffx is located 20mins from Dover and is the cheapest in the uk for any power tool

 

[WillRiseley]

If your visiting blue water keep an eye on your speed as there's a lot of police cars with cameras in cheeky places.

 

[Smithy]

Glad you found Stiles and Bates. I have always found them really friendly and helpful and always worth a visit. Their website is pretty good too.

Mike

 

[Kopke]

So now we are back home again. We spend a good amount of money on tools ;-)

Parking at Blue Water in under a minute, plenty spaces left.
In Canterbury (and at Blue Waters) we had expected a huge Christmas shopping market, but we were disappointed to discover this not being true.

A nice shopping week, and I will return. Next time to Hastings I think. We haven done Brighton before and made a little stop in Hastings, like to see more of that.
(And it would easily allow for a next stop at Stiles and Bates)

Thank you all for helping us!