Tools in Tacoma WA

[stephes]

I found some nice walnut for a project and am need of a decent smoothing plane. Does anyone know of a good source for Stanley type planes in the south sound / Tacoma area? HF and similar China import tool stores offerings look poorly made and not worth the $. A few retailers have new Stanley's but they're very expensive.

Thanks,

Stephes

[Edwin Pawlowski]

You want a good plane, but don't want to spend a lot of money. Used is the only way to go. Could take a while to find one though.

New Stanley planes are not all that good anyway. If you want good, go to Lee Valley and get a Veritas or a Lie Nielson, or a Steve Knight Toolworks. None are cheap, all are good.

[Dave in Fairfax]

around. Buy old chisels and saws while you're at it. Old is pre 1950 at the MOST recent. 1900 is much better. The tools should be easy to find and much less expensive than you could buy new. Better quality in most cases as well.

Dave in Fairfax

[Ralph E Lindberg]

To actually answer your question, the only sources I know of are Lowes, Home Depot and the Harbor Freight store. If you go up to Seattle there is a WoodCraft near Boeing Field and two Rockler stores (one near South Center and the other up in north Seattle)

[Dave in Fairfax]

Those places sell junk tools. If you can go to Seattle, try Hardwicks hardware store. FAR, left, front corner as you go in. Take a look at the mallets on the right hand isles of the left side, about 2 isles in, as you go past them.

Dave in Fairfax