Favourite Tool suppliers in Ontario, Canada

[lazylathe]

Hi all,

Being fairly new in this game i would like to ask this question! ;D

What are your favourite machine tool and supply places to visit and buy tools and supplies from?

It does not have to be the big name places, but more a recommendation of smaller stores that offer the same services.

I have a Busy Bee down the road that i use if i have to. A great bunch of guys but sometimes the tools are not the greatest.
Lee Valley is great for woodwork supplies, not so good for metalworking supplies.
I also use the metal Supermarket in London.

I have been told that Kitchener has a whole host of machine tool stores, most do not have websites so i am unsure of what they sell.

So if any of you know of an out of the way store that you love, please pass it on so that i may also enjoy your finds!!! ;D

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Stan]

No specific recommendation but every city has machine tool suppliers who sell to the industry. Look them up in the Yellow Pages and make a personal visit. Tell them who you are and what kind of stuff you will want to buy. Some will immediately toss you out and others will be happy to sell to you.

These suppliers are the only place that you can get high quality tooling locally, such as taps and drill bits. Don't complain about the price, they have what you need and it is cheaper and more convenient than mail order when you need the tool.

If you are looking for the Busy Bee type of store, check their prices against the US web sites of MSC, Enco, Travers, etc. For many of the tools we hobbyists use, the import quality is adequate and the primary consideration is price. Current dollar exchange rate and the ease of importing from the US, orders under $100.00, make mail order attractive.

 

[Catminer]

Andrew

Check out Sowa Tools, their catalogue is online, they supply namebrand and offshore tooling. I am sure there are dealers in Woodstock, I know Ideal supply ( Napa ) on Landsdown just north of Dundas St. Can order from them.

Peter

 

[Cbowler]

Hi Andrew,

You may want to check out machinetoolwarehouse.com in Cambridge. Pat O'banion will be happy to help you but be careful, you may end up walking away with a new mill!

 

[lazylathe]

Thanks for the replies!

Cole - You are too late!!! That has already happened.
I found them online and a week later i was leaving with a Sieg SX2L...
Funny how that happens! ;D

Andrew