Tool shops-what happened?

[Tinbasherdan]

as per the title, what has happened to tool shops nowadays?
Called into a new "tooling" shop that's opened nearby, supposedly specialises in all sorts of machine tooling, sharpening etc.

Went in and asked if they sold lathe tools. Blank face. Asked again. "Oh no we don't do lathe work, only tooling"

yep, that's what I just asked. Do you sell tipped tools?

" oh no, we can't sharpen them"

well no, I didn't ask that, can you get them?

"Yeah but we need to know what sort of machine it is"

Why?

"Well we email the company and they match the tool to the lathe"

Well I know what I want I just want a price

"Can't do that, have to email them"

Right,never mind. What about chainsaw chains for a Stihl 08s?

"You need to bring your old chain in and we count the links and match it to chains we have a spool of"

Can't you just open the book your using as a coaster that clearly lists chain lengths and pitches for varying makes?

Absolutely useless, I honestly think I came out knowing less than when i went in. What happened to the decent little shops that have everything, can quote you on the spot even for gear they don't have in stock? As much as I try to support local business, I'll be spending my money on eBay again by the looks of it

 

[MattH]

They all went out of business because we all went to EBay to save a quid.

 

[Welderpaul]

All gone mate. Gone for a reason.... People buying junk tools and they can't compete.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

They all went out of business because we all went to EBay to save a quid.

Like I say, if I can I try to use local shops, but when they just blink at you when you ask a question it doesn't instil confidence does it?

 

[brightspark]

Cromwell tools n get there catalogue then u know what u are looking for even if u don't buy of them

 

[weldequip]

Is that a Japanese bike Tinbasher?

 

[dobbslc]

There's a decent little tool shop in Watford called Simbles, old school place that's filled top to bottom with gear.
I have noticed that they are selling more cheap **** these days but still supply the good stuff for a price.
Anyone remember Marjacks in Uxbridge?

 

[Pete.]

Is that a Japanese bike Tinbasher?

That's a bit harsh. Do you only sell British-built stuff?

 

[brightspark]

That's a bit harsh. Do you only sell British-built stuff?

 

[WorkshopChris]

I asked a local fixings company to quote for some bits i new they would have to order in their price was over twice what i was quoted dealing with the manufactures direct. I was expecting their price to be the about the same or maybe a little less as they already deal with the manufactures and should be getting a much better price than me. How can they justify double. I know they have overheads to cover and was prepared to pay a similar price but not that much.
Makes you wonder why try to support local, its got to be a two way street.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Is that a Japanese bike Tinbasher?

It certainly is, Yamaha r1. If there was something British that was reliable, quick and didn't need a mortgage to buy if ride one of those instead

 

[julianthegypsy]

Agricultural Engineers are still pretty good, they actually understand the kit, though not so good for lathe tools etc, but I bet you'd get a chain for your saw, hydraulic hoses crimped up from a stock of fittings, a small selection of welding rods and a variety of tools of varying quality. As well as bits for your tractor, bearings, belts and hardware...

 

[ronan]

There is a toolshop, mcquillans in dublin city centre, its been there years, i remember going in with the father when i was a kid. They only sold good quality british, german, american and japanese tools, because they were the only tools tradesmen would buy. Now its all diy tat.

How many older tradesmen do you know had tools for years, maybe even from when they served their time. Buy good, buy once and look after your tools was the motto, thats all gone now.

 

[waddycall]

ToolZone is what happened to a few

 

[ronan]

It certainly is, Yamaha r1. If there was something British that was reliable, quick and didn't need a mortgage to buy if ride one of those instead

No need to apologise for riding a jap bike, they were clearly better designed and better built, than nearly everything else and have been so since the early 1960's.

 

[Brad93]

Agricultural Engineers are still pretty good, they actually understand the kit, though not so good for lathe tools etc, but I bet you'd get a chain for your saw, hydraulic hoses crimped up from a stock of fittings, a small selection of welding rods and a variety of tools of varying quality. As well as bits for your tractor, bearings, belts and hardware...

Rc Boreham Near Dunmow. Everything you could need to fix a tractor to a chainsaw.. If Not they get it next day.

 

[Fazerruss]

It certainly is, Yamaha r1. If there was something British that was reliable, quick and didn't need a mortgage to buy if ride one of those instead

Triumph

 

[Johnseat]

Theres a couple of tooling shops about 30 minutes from me up Sheffield, they have everything.
Their windows are full of milling machine bits and lathe chucks ect...
I had to go there to buy an m14x1.5 tap for Mercedes benz hubs.
None of the standard stored nearby had metric fine, these shops and loads, draws full of loose taps ect...

You just can't find these type of shops anymore, run by old boys with excellent prices.
I hate having to buy tools ect off the Internet, no more interaction with folk these days!!

 

[roofman]

Loyd and Jones can get you most things in the mentioned field over the counter...you just cant beat over the counter buying imho,hitting a "buy now" button and hanging around for a post man is one of my hates

 

[Barlidge]

Mostly Biggleswade is full of hairdressers, cafe's and charity shops etc but we still have one little gem, a little Ironmongers in the town, one of the few surviving useful shops left - Golthorpes, not sure if they do Lathe tools (I'l ask when I get mine working) but they have literally all manner of things in there, its a proper little Aladin's cave and they do branded tools