New Northern Tool store under construction: should I get excited?

[bwringer]

Looks like they're building a Northern Tool pretty darn close to my house on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Should I get excited?

Never been in one or ordered from them, but they did send me a giant catalog a few months ago.

 

[DC73]

I like Northern Tool. Used to order from them quite a bit. Then a couple of years ago, they put one here. Don't order as much anymore because the local store tends to have what I need in stock. Good place.

DC

 

[JimDon]

It's one of my favorite places to shop. There will be some Harbor Freight quality things there, but overall, the items sold are outstanding. LOTS of name brands. I shop there a lot, but be aware they send coupons which can make your shopping trips even better. YMMV.
Cheers, and happy hunting,
JimDon

 

[topcok88]

I like the one near me. I bought a few wrenches from them (dunno the brand) but the chrome/finish is nice and does what it says. I really like the caster selection and price. Use them quite often for equipment in the shop. Bought trailer harnesses and replacement lens covers for the trailers. And when I needed some rapid air fittings quickly they had them in stock. This one has many Homak boxes available to look at in store which is nice to get comparisons to other brands. I think you will enjoy it.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[cjarvis]

I wouldn’t. They don’t seem to have much that I want. The one time I ordered something online (as opposed to in the local store), I ordered a PTO shaft and it took them two weeks to send me a welding cart... I still browse there but seldom buy.

 

[RV8guy]

I was excited when they started to build one near me. When It opened, it turned out to be a half size store that didn't carry much. Total let down.

 

[metaleltr]

Even if you don’t, I will and I live in Ohio. I will definitely be making the trip over when they open. I’ve always hated being so far from any of their retail outlets.

 

[bwringer]

I was excited when they started to build one near me. When It opened, it turned out to be a half size store that didn't carry much. Total let down.

Hard to tell with this one since I've never been in one.

It seems to be, um, uhhh... bigger than a Harbor Freight, smaller than a Walmart.

Then again, there are international airports smaller than the average Walmart, so that doesn't narrow it down much.

I'm sure to be on all the "tool using primate" mailing lists, so I suspect I'll get a batch of grand opening coupons and such when the time comes.

I'll dial up a prudent amount of excitement.

 

[seagull369]

Despite how they try to market themselves, Northern Tool = Expensive Harbor Freight. A lot of their house brand stuff often looks similar to HF's but is more $. Most name brand stuff they carry can usually be had at a Home Depot for same or cheaper. Maybe their warranties are better than HF's 90 days, but you probably pay for it. If you don't have a TSC store around, it could be a definite plus. I'd definitely check the store out, but wouldn't have high hopes.

 

[DerekV]

Yes. I love having one close by to me.

 

[rick carpenter]

There's a Northern Tool in Conroe TX, about 30 miles south of me. I've gotten plenty of stuff there, they have a more 'industrial' selection than HD. Klutch is their in-house brand and is pretty good but you have to compare prices with other mid-tier Taiwan brands.

 

[Tallpilot]

I used to think they were better than HF. They do still stock some name brands but usually for more than you can find them elsewhere. It seems to me their response to HF was to cheapen their store brands (if you can't beat em, join em?). When I first started shopping there most of the Klutch stuff was made in Taiwan. Now it is almost all China and India.

What I do like is they offer a huge socket and wrench selection and sell singles, like HF once did.

 

[unslow1]

Do you know specifically where in Indianapolis the new store is going?

 

[IndyGarage]

Do you know specifically where in Indianapolis the new store is going?

I didn't realize they are building one either - that's great news - it's one of my favorite stores. I buy stuff from their catalogue but a lot of their good stuff is large/bulky and would be easier to buy from a store.

They are a good source of pressure washer equipment, material handling equipment, replacement engines, trailer parts and other stuff. I would say much more variety than harbour freight, which concentrates on hand tools.

 

[zendriver]

Looks like they're building a Northern Tool pretty darn close to my house on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Should I get excited?

Never been in one or ordered from them, but they did send me a giant catalog a few months ago.

Never been in one, so I'll check it out when I'm in the area.

A new HF - not all that exciting, because we already know exactly what will be in the store.

 

[Notgrownup]

We have on in a Raleigh I stop on the way there sometimes when I need...I bought all my rapidair lines and fittings there and a few other things, you have to be picky but like others have said they have some HF level products like big box stores.

 

[bwringer]

Do you know specifically where in Indianapolis the new store is going?

It's in the northwest corner of 465. Sort of behind the Cracker Barrel at the Michigan Road exit off 465. I noticed the sign on the pole last week and there's a good-size building under construction back there. It looks like the exterior is done and they're doing the interior work.

Here's the map to the Cracker Barrel:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...ff3ecfd225fdfb!8m2!3d39.9219142!4d-86.2283515

 

[nieuport17]

More tool stores around the better so yes, get excited

 

[unslow1]

It's in the northwest corner of 465. Sort of behind the Cracker Barrel at the Michigan Road exit off 465. I noticed the sign on the pole last week and there's a good-size building under construction back there. It looks like the exterior is done and they're doing the interior work.

Here's the map to the Cracker Barrel:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...ff3ecfd225fdfb!8m2!3d39.9219142!4d-86.2283515

Thanks! I have a lot of family in Brownsburg/Avon area. I've never been in a Northern Tool store. They do send me their catalog.

 

[Stooge]

i've never bought anything from them, but have perused the website many times. We don't have a lot of stores like that around here, and I know a lot of the stuff can be found cheaper online, but I still like to fondle something before I buy sometimes. a few tractor supply stores, along with all of the home depots and lowes around here, but that's about it so I'd love to have a northern tool nearby to go to, but looks like the closest one is 700+ miles away.

 

[kythri]

I wish they'd start opening some in the Pacific Northwest.

 

[May Pop]

Chicago area too!

 

[Parrothead]

Looks like they're building a Northern Tool pretty darn close to my house on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Should I get excited?

Never been in one or ordered from them, but they did send me a giant catalog a few months ago.

Wait, what?

I’m excited as it gives us another tool option.

 

[bwringer]

Wait, what?

I’m excited as it gives us another tool option.

Agreed, plus it's like a mile an a half from my house. I suspect I'll be a regular.


At least it's not another goddamn useless "At Home" or "Bed Bath & Beyond" store.

 

[mikehaugen]

It's in the northwest corner of 465. Sort of behind the Cracker Barrel at the Michigan Road exit off 465. I noticed the sign on the pole last week and there's a good-size building under construction back there. It looks like the exterior is done and they're doing the interior work.

Here's the map to the Cracker Barrel:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...ff3ecfd225fdfb!8m2!3d39.9219142!4d-86.2283515

wow, that is literally right next to where I stay when I travel for work... usually the embassy suites next to the costco, but one time the Homewood Suites. Next time I'm down there I'll have to check it out.

 

[Parrothead]

Agreed, plus it's like a mile an a half from my house. I suspect I'll be a regular.


At least it's not another goddamn useless "At Home" or "Bed Bath & Beyond" store.

I’m going to drive right by there today on my way to the vet in Zionsville. I was looking up individual socket prices, and if the Klutch brand is semi reasonable I’ll pick up a few. A 1/2 drive 32mm chrome socket for $4.49 is a pretty good deal. Menards Masterforce socket is $6.98 (not a bad deal at all) bit is a 12pt.

I agree about the “At Home” stores. I’m okay with BB&B

 

[bwringer]

I’m going to drive right by there today on my way to the vet in Zionsville. I was looking up individual socket prices, and if the Klutch brand is semi reasonable I’ll pick up a few. A 1/2 drive 32mm chrome socket for $4.49 is a pretty good deal. Menards Masterforce socket is $6.98 (not a bad deal at all) bit is a 12pt.

I agree about the “At Home” stores. I’m okay with BB&B

Sorry, our NT store is not open yet; it's still under construction and I haven't been able to find any info on when it might open.

 

[bwringer]

Sorry, our NT store is not open yet; it's still under construction and I haven't been able to find any info on when it might open.

Still no info on when our Indy stores might open.

That's right, I said "stores", plural.

Just spotted another one under construction off Emerson Avenue on the south side of Indianapolis. So it looks like we're getting two; one on the north side and one on the south side.

 

[MySpace]

For some reason I haven't bought too much stuff from NT. It seems that I get great deals from HD, Lowes, cheap stuff from HF and when I shop I usually buy lumber & materials also.

 

[mikehaugen]

dang... 2 in the same town! I find it odd, as there aren't very many around so to cluster 2 together like that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Doesn't matter to me either way I guess as I don't live near Indy, but it will give me something to do while I'm staying there next time.

I don't buy a lot of stuff from them either, their prices aren't terrible but shipping is unless you find deals with free shipping. Having a store local might be nice as they carry stuff the normal farm stores don't.

 

[IndyGarage]

I was over there last week and they had the sign up - usually they don't do that until it's close to finished.

I'll be past there again tomorrow morning - I'll take a look and see how close it is.

 

[dledinger]

I always liked that they sold large sockets individually.

 

[bwringer]

Went and looked at the north side location today.

The outside of the building is finished and painted, and it looks like the signage and logos are up.

The inside still has a ways to go and the parking lot isn't poured yet. Contruction equipment and supplies all over the place.

There is what appears to be a vinyl grand opening sign hung from the roof on the side facing the interstate, but it's mostly flipped over and tangled by the wind so I can only see a few letters.

The south side store appears to be at a roughly similar stage. I bet they're trying to make a bigger splash with two stores at once. They'll be the first in the state; the closest current store is in Illinois, just outside St. Louis.

Not sure how long all that will take to finish, but I am in the same zip code and likely on the relevant target marketing lists, so I'm sure I'll find out when the time comes.

 

[Mattlt]

I had a good experience with a warranty issue once. They treated me right! Product failed just out of warranty and they honored it. I won't say I'm a totally loyal customer, but they are definitely handy to have around.

 

[Parrothead]

Thanks for the updates. I’m looking forward to the opening, and I’m sure I’ll spend a few bucks there.