A Question for the Aussies here

[fringeofinsanity]

I'm looking for a little help/guidance. I'm currently splitting my time between the states and AU. Recently having bought a caravan and looking for a home North of Melbourne.

While I'm splitting time I'd like to get some tools, as well as in need of some building supplies. Now, I've been to Bunnings as well as Mitre 10 to get a few things that I had to have right now, after waking up from a price shock coma. It seems like everything is at least double if not three times the price as compared to the states.

So here's my question, Is there anything like we have here such as Harbor Freight? As well as any place I can get used/refurbished power tools, etc? As well as a reasonably priced toolbox.

I'm really just looking for something to use until I get my main tools there for the most part and can then take these to my caravan. I've been bringing a bag of tools each trip, some things have gone back and forth about 5 times now and I'm just at the point I'm over lugging wrenches halfway across the world.

I've looked online, and haven't had much luck finding anyplace I can order from directly, and ebay prices are pretty much as insane it seems.

Also, any suggestions on building materials is flooring, drywall, tile, cabinets, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice ya'll got.

Fringe

 

[XtaC]

Your best bet would be Supercheap Auto stores. From what I can gather they are Australia's nearest equivalent to HF. Everything's a fair bit more expensive that the US, but that's just how it is.

Supercheap stocks Stanley branded toolboxes, which might do the job for you.

As for building materials, Bunnings is, unfortunately, probably your easiet, but not cheapest bet. I normally go to MBS (Master Builders Supplies) for things like Gyprock etc. But I don't buy that sort of thing very often, and I don't know if MBS exists down south (I'm from Queensland).

Hope that helps.

Lee.

 

[jabberwoki]

Oh hotfr8 where are you!!!

 

[Drew_flux]

just wait till you find out what pro quality tools cost out here.isnt there a costco down in melbourne? otherwise look around in the "trading post" for used tools.

 

[s14kev]

I made the opposite move, from Oz to the states a few years ago. I am amazed at how cheap everything in the US is. You will find everthing in australia is much much more expensive. Use bunnings/mitre 10 for convenience only due to long opening hours but expect to pay through the nose. I would suggest going straight to the supplier for most building materials. You can ask for 'trade' prices from most suppliers which will be cheaper than 'sell to public' prices. I used to just tell them I do maintenance for my own business to get trade prices and give them the name of your 'company'.

 

[fringeofinsanity]

just wait till you find out what pro quality tools cost out here.isnt there a costco down in melbourne? otherwise look around in the "trading post" for used tools.

True THAT! That's why I decided I'm eventually shipping all my SO and Mac etc when the final move happens.

Thanks for these so far guys, Gives me some time to look. Last trip I ended up paying through the nose for a circular saw and next trip I'm going to trim everything in and would just assume buy a mitre saw than rent unless it's going to cost me a left lung. I have no concern brinigng hand tools over, but customs is likely going to give me a hard time about shoving my table saw in my luggage. lol

 

[HTGTS350]

I buy most of my tools from US ebay, about a third of the price even after the cost of postage, nothing is cheap in Australia and it will only get worse as we have to pay out welfare for the flood of unemployable immigrants that keep coming in. I'm thinking of going to the US permanently myself.

 

[s14kev]

I once brought a bag home to australia full of dial gauges, bore gauge, micrometers, wrenches etc. Was opened and searched by customs but made it through fine. The whole 110V vs 240V thing is a pain though. Why can't the US adopt the general standard. I'm still converting pounds and inches to the metric system. It's like being back in the dark ages

 

[HTGTS350]

Why did you leave Kev? I love Australia I just don't like the way we are going and can see a time in the not too distant future when only 1 in 10 Australians are born here and are actually "Australians" not a half breed of a non anglo race. From what I see the problem is the same in the US, is that true?

 

[SteelArt]

I would bring a bag of tools to Australia with you and sell them off each trip to fund anything you need to get local. As for power tools just buy 18V battery stuff and bring it with you and get a convertor to keep it charged.

I buy a lot of stuff each time I visit the USA and have always covered the cost of my trip by selling it back in Australia.

 

[catfish]

I buy most of my tools from US ebay, about a third of the price even after the cost of postage, nothing is cheap in Australia and it will only get worse as we have to pay out welfare for the flood of unemployable immigrants that keep coming in. I'm thinking of going to the US permanently myself.

less to do with that and more to do with having the most unaffordable housing in the world

high house prices push up the price of everything and make our economy less competitive

 

[fringeofinsanity]

I once brought a bag home to australia full of dial gauges, bore gauge, micrometers, wrenches etc. Was opened and searched by customs but made it through fine. The whole 110V vs 240V thing is a pain though. Why can't the US adopt the general standard. I'm still converting pounds and inches to the metric system. It's like being back in the dark ages

Yeah, each trip I have bag o' tools with me, never been blocked from coming though I get slowed up from time to time, I think it's a bit different not being a national. But I always get through.

And funny you mention that as when I was buying some flooring and some lumber for a built in I was making, the lumber guy and I were going back and forth converting everything. The OL was laughing so hard she was nearly doubled over. For Christmas I asked for a tape that has both! lol We always bicker back and forth bout imperial and metirc(though I mostly just do it to get her revved up and snicker to myself.

I'll eventually be rewiring my larger shop tools and I've got a buddy who eventually will wire in a transformer of a subline in my shop so I can run power tools that are 110v.

From what I see the problem is the same in the US, is that true?

Well, the US is the melting pot. It's alot harder to get in Australia than it is in the US.

I would bring a bag of tools to Australia with you and sell them off each trip to fund anything you need to get local. As for power tools just buy 18V battery stuff and bring it with you and get a convertor to keep it charged.

I buy a lot of stuff each time I visit the USA and have always covered the cost of my trip by selling it back in Australia.

Yupp, I'm doing a similar thing already and now that your import regulations have opened up on Harley Davidson it's making for a great opportunity.

I already got my 18v covered just as ya had mentioned but there are some things that at this point are either just took heavy or I need on both continents, which is why I'm looking for some secondary things and there's not a ton of used stuff that I can really find. Craigslist seems nearly non existent except for the scammers.

less to do with that and more to do with having the most unaffordable housing in the world

high house prices push up the price of everything and make our economy less competitive

It amazes me to see the differences in costs when the average salaries really can't compete, I don't know how some people do it. It's very reminiscent of things here in the states which is why I've been really leery of purchasing real estate as I can see the bottom falling out just like it did here. Each step I make has been very careful, but eventually ya just gotta pull the trigger.

 

[HOTFR8]

Oh hotfr8 where are you!!!

I'm here.......

I'm looking for a little help/guidance. I'm currently splitting my time between the states and AU. Recently having bought a caravan and looking for a home North of Melbourne.

While I'm splitting time I'd like to get some tools, as well as in need of some building supplies. Now, I've been to Bunnings as well as Mitre 10 to get a few things that I had to have right now, after waking up from a price shock coma. It seems like everything is at least double if not three times the price as compared to the states.

So here's my question, Is there anything like we have here such as Harbor Freight? As well as any place I can get used/refurbished power tools, etc? As well as a reasonably priced toolbox.

I'm really just looking for something to use until I get my main tools there for the most part and can then take these to my caravan. I've been bringing a bag of tools each trip, some things have gone back and forth about 5 times now and I'm just at the point I'm over lugging wrenches halfway across the world.

I've looked online, and haven't had much luck finding anyplace I can order from directly, and ebay prices are pretty much as insane it seems.

Also, any suggestions on building materials is flooring, drywall, tile, cabinets, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice ya'll got.

Fringe

OK, just to back up what some of the others have said. SupaCheap has some good tools but be aware they are cheap. As for Bunnings, well that is the place I go to. Just remember at present our $ is almost the same as the US $ and here is not the USA. Let us know where you settle down

Bunnings may also give you a trade discount if you need alot, never hurts to ask.

As for traveling with tools I would rather have the security and customs than none at all.

By the way any one here not in the Aussie Social section ???

 

[s14kev]

Why did you leave Kev? I love Australia I just don't like the way we are going and can see a time in the not too distant future when only 1 in 10 Australians are born here and are actually "Australians" not a half breed of a non anglo race. From what I see the problem is the same in the US, is that true?

I left for work. The opportunities in the US far exceed what I can achieve at home. I am a professional in a medical field and Australia still lags behind in many areas. I love Australia too and will end up home eventually. Your quote of 'not liking the way we are going' is interesting. Many have an issue with progress. Always looking back at the past and dreaming of the 'good old days' is a common feature of modern society. Progress is inevitable, both good and bad. Some people see this as being a problem here in the US also. Many of those would be referred to as...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck

Of note, I'm not anglo. I was born and raised in oz and lived in WA all my life until 5yrs ago. Just being of non anglo race does not make me any less Australian. I guarantee I can tell you more about an A9X Torana than most. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as 'Australian'. We're all immigrants and oz is just a melting pot of cultures. Thats what makes it a great place. Being anglo or non anglo has no bearing on a person's value in this day and age. To suggest so implies ignorance. Don't take this as an offensive post. Just trying to make a point to a fellow Australian. Cheers and hope to see you around sometime.