Subject: Re: Machine Tool Supply Houses? Post your favorites.

From: [email-masked] (JD)
Date: Wed, 04 Dec 96 12:26:56 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
   Mark Winlund <[email-masked]> wrote:
>My favorite is Rutland tool and supply. They have the absolute best deals on 
milling 

Rutland is OK. I've found the local small industrial suppliers to be
much better than the big catalog places like Rutland, J&L, etc.
They can all get the same stuff from the same warehouse at the same
price, but the small local guys give a lot better service. And they
deliver!

---

From: [email-masked] (JD)
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 96 12:36:22 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
   [email-masked] (Fitch R. Williams) wrote:
snip

>Other than that I had a good experience with Warner Tool and
>Supply in North Holleywood where I bought my Mill and Lathe.
>(Happens to be run by a nephew of the Warner that heads up
>Rutland I think.)  The mans name is Perry Warner.  snip

Ya, Perry Warner was great. I'd forgotten about him untill I read
your reply. I was looking for some strange tool holders a couple
years ago and nobody had ever seen or heard of them before. Finally,
I took the phone book and went out driving. My last stop was Warner.
When I walked in he knew exactly what I was looking for and where to
get them. He really bent over backwards to help me out. (I think he
went through about four packs of smokes in the half hour I was there)

Thanks for reminding me about him, I'll have to throw some business his
way.

JD

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From: [email-masked]
Date: 5 Dec 1996 17:28:48 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] (Aubrey Philip
Williams) writes:

>>cutters anywhere... we buy hundreds from them. Also good is Eastern
tool,
>but watch 
>>out for the Indian stuff. For absolutely first rate service (fast) go
with
>MSC. Not 
>>always the cheapest.) Avoid Enco like the plague.
>
>

I have quit dealing with Eastrenas they substitute from stock. I ordered
four tap wrenches, one of each size they advertise. I got One 15" one and
three 7" ones. I called and was told they substituted so they could ship
the order. One of their claims to fame was "they don't back-order like
Enco"

I could have shipped two back for a refund but they cost $3.85 a piece.
Shipping would have almost equalled that.

On the rare occasion that they did put stuff on back order when they
shipped the BO stuff they charged me extra freight. Enco do not.

Providing I am not in too much of a hurry and I can't get the stuff for a
reasonable price from elsewhere (IPS, Reid, MSC, DoAll) I still use Enco
quite happily. Eastern has been off my list for 12 months.

Peter

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From: Van Baker <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 14:48:40 -0700

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned Kitts (Kitts Industrial Tools, Detroit,
800-521-6579, in the FAQ).  While I've only ordered a couple of times (just getting
warmed up), service was good, came in a week (UPS), order complete.  They're 
certainly no MSC, but for selected items beat the price significantly (DTI ~$78,
MSC same brand/model on sale for $99. for example).  Just another possibility.

Happy comparing!
Van

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From: Jay Hayes <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 21:29:37 -0800

> MSC same brand/model on sale for $99. for example).  Just another possibility.

I'll second that about Kitts. I've been dealing with them for many
years. They have a lot of good buys. I got a real nice Starrett
machinist's square set (with centering head and protractor head) from
them.

Grand Supply also known as Quad is another supplier that has some good
sales from time to time. They have good buys on 30 and 40 taper tooling
as well as collets. I've also gotten great buys on drill rod and ground
stock from them too.

Jay

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From: [email-masked] (Fitch R. Williams)
Date: Sat, 07 Dec 1996 22:20:42 GMT

>JD

I'd forgotten that he is alergic to air - I don't think,
except when we were riding in his truck, I saw him take a
breath of "nothing but air".

He sure like to help customers though.  And in consideration
of my being an ex smoker, did not smoke in his pickup which
I appreciated - I'd have had to ride in the back.

Fitch

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From: Van Baker <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 11:58:51 -0700

Paul Amaranth wrote:
> 
> In article <[email-masked]> Van Baker <[email-masked]> writes:
> How much do the shipping and handling charges add to that?
> I stop in on them every once in a while.  They used to have a lot of
> interesting stuff at really good prices; but then they went upscale.

<snip>

  Unfortunately, NOTHING is local in northern Colorado <sob>.  Shipping was
in the $5 - $7 range.  I don't have a full Kitts catalog, just fliers which I got
by a free call.  Interestingly, it took a fax, 3 weeks wait, a phone call, another
week and a half wait before I got the MSC big book, then 3 weeks later I got ANOTHER
copy of the big book!  Even their system ain't perzakly perfect..

Cheers, Van

> Paul Amaranth          Tel: (810) 656-5975      Fax: (810) 656-6836
> Aurora Group, Inc.     Rochester MI, USA    http://www.rust.net/auroragroup
> [email-masked]          Consulting & Data Conversion Services

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From: [email-masked] (Fitch R. Williams)
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 05:14:01 GMT

[email-masked] (Aubrey Philip Williams) wrote:

>I was curious about people's favorite places to order their tools. I
>have the following:

There is a Rutland tool store within 5 min walking distance
>from  where I work, and which I have to pass on my way home
each evening (its closed when I arrive at work, so only
single jepordy!).  I frequently stop in there, did today in
fact to pick up some TT321 insert bits.  I've never mail
ordered from them but appear to have bought enough to be on
their catalog a month plan.

They allow me to return stuff that doesn't fit, or if the
size is wrong (bandsaw blades once).  

They are very convenient, and since I can see the
merchandise before buying it, I have had no problems except
those I created through my own ignorance.  A bonus is that
they usually have some machinery sitting in the show room
that I can drool on before leaving.

Other than that I had a good experience with Warner Tool and
Supply in North Holleywood where I bought my Mill and Lathe.
(Happens to be run by a nephew of the Warner that heads up
Rutland I think.)  The mans name is Perry Warner.  He drove
me all over LA visiting machinery suppliers to look at
lathes and mills - gave me quite an education in the
differences between Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, and
Taiwanese with Japanese bearings and gears lathes and mills,
and the importers of same.  I am very happy with the
machines I picked out - I think he helped me make a better
choice than I would hav left to my own devices.  I had a
minor problem with the milling machine.   I called him in
the morning.  He had a part delivered UPS at my house the
next day.

He also sold me a master level for about $130.00 (.0005 in
10") that has been invaluable.  

I found him thorugh an advertisement in HSM.  That was
several years ago.  I believe he stopped advertising shortly
after that.  

I did buy a couple of small things by mail from Grizzley,
they were as advertised.  

I have found Borwnells to have a lot of unique things.
bought some cold blue from them amoung other things.

I have a Grainger catalog, but have to go through a
neighboor who has his own business to buy things from them -
a hassel.  But last month I got a pressure switch and relief
valve for my compressor through him for significantly less
than the same parts would have cost me through Sears.

MSC sounds good to me for things I can not easily find
locally.  Have to try them soon.

Fitch

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From: [email-masked] (Peter Drumm)
Date: 5 Dec 1996 23:29:38 GMT

In message <[email-masked]> - [email-masked] (Aubrey
Philip Williams)Thu, 05 Dec 1996 04:02:20 GMT writes:
:->Could you give me their phone number? McMasters if anybody has it
:->also.
:->
:->Thanks,

McMaster-Carr 1-708-833-0300

[email-masked] <http://www.dwave.net/~pdrumm>
Using OS/2 Warp 4!
Wausau, WI. 44d 58m 00s N x 89d 36m 45s W
All opinions are mine alone, you go get your own!

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From: [email-masked] (Aubrey Philip Williams)
Date: Tue, 03 Dec 1996 06:54:15 GMT

MSC 18006457270
Wholesale Tool
Enco
New England Brass and Tool
Blue Ridge

I have heard of McMasters but I don't have their number. Could someone
please post it as well as any other good sources?

Thanks,

A. Philip Williams TIP#646 VOG#001
[email-masked]
Team GENU

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From: [email-masked] (Paul Amaranth)
Date: 6 Dec 1996 08:47:41 -0500

And even if you spend $100, they'll still charge you for their catalog.

MSC has really warmed up the competition.  The new Production Tool Supply
catalog is touting free UPS delivery now (and they'll have your order
ready for pick up if you call it in with a 30 minute lead time).
 
Since I'm local, I like PTS for stuff that I need right away.  Their
catalog is no MSC, but it's still 1000+ pages.

--

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From: [email-masked] (Aubrey Philip Williams)
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 1996 04:02:20 GMT

Mark Winlund <[email-masked]> wrote:

>My favorite is Rutland tool and supply. They have the absolute best deals on milling 
>cutters anywhere... we buy hundreds from them. Also good is Eastern tool, but watch 
>out for the Indian stuff. For absolutely first rate service (fast) go with MSC. Not 

>No flames! Just my opinion!

>Regards, Mark

Could you give me their phone number? McMasters if anybody has it
also.

Thanks,

---

From: [email-masked] (Peter Brooks)
Date: 6 Dec 1996 19:12:09 GMT

Mark Winlund ([email-masked]) wrote:
: cutters anywhere... we buy hundreds from them. Also good is Eastern tool, but watch 
: always the cheapest.) Avoid Enco like the plague.

Hmm, I thought Eastern sold Enco stuff.  At least, they will take orders
>from  Enco numbers, and their quality is the same.  What am I missing here?

BTW, I've used Eastern for Sherline stuff, though now with Jim Harvey
and Morton selling Sherline through the net, I'll steer my business that
way.

I do know that I'm spoiled by having an Enco dealership local to me.  Makes it
possible to get a good look at something before I buy.

BTW, Enco's 9 x 20" lathe no longer has a quick change gear box.  Glad mine
has it.

Pete Brooks

---

From: Mark Winlund <[email-masked]>
Date: 14 Dec 1996 04:06:11 GMT

>price, but the small local guys give a lot better service. And they

Perhaps in your town, but not here. A good example: Rutland sells 2 or 4 flute solid 
carbide stub endmills for $2.75 each, and they are good quality. We use them by the 
hundreds. I buy for our machine and fabrication shop every day, and am always 
looking for price and service. The local guys just can't buy in the volume that the 
big guys do. The service (both with Rutland and MSC) is exceptionally good. I 
usually deal with the same rep each time (they get a commission) so they get to know 
me and bend over backwards to help.

Often times in buying equipment I will use a local supplier for just the reasons you 
mentioned... but equipment, not consumables. Most equipment has a much lower markup 
than consumables.

I have found that among the catalogs, there is very little variation in the prices 
of *identical* brand name items... such as a Blake center indicator. The big boys 
all read each other's catalogs, you know... the differences will be in consumables 
and large equipment that is an unknown import brand or comes with varying levels of 
accessory equipment.

The local guys just can't stock enough or compete with the big mail order houses. It 
is sad, but true. It is why MSC is so big.

Regards, Mark