Any tool shops in Detroit area worth checking out?

MemphisR32 · Jan 20, 2015

I just found out I have a business trip to the Auburn Hills, MI area and didn't know if there were any cool tool shops to check out in the area? Anything of interest?

I mostly do mechanic work so not really looking into wood working/construction stuff.

Thanks!

warmpancakes · Jan 20, 2015

these a WAY OVERPRICED store on van ****, called MR O'Tools but he way way overpriced,

panknuckshovel · Jan 20, 2015

Well, going by your screen name I am assuming that you are from Memphis. If this is true and you are one of the many on this board who feel unloved by the lack of a Menards you can check them out while on your trip.

ecotec · Jan 20, 2015

Performance Line Tools in Pontiac is wonderful.

http://www.performancetoolcenter.com

While it does lean more towards construction and woodworking, it has a lot of auto tools.

jmarkwolf · Jan 20, 2015

Wholesale Tool.

Mostly machinist type tools.

I think they're in Warren.

MemphisR32 · Jan 20, 2015

panknuckshovel said:
Well, going by your screen name I am assuming that you are from Memphis. If this is true and you are one of the many on this board who feel unloved by the lack of a Menards you can check them out while on your trip.

Sorry I am not from Memphis. It was a nick name from college.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I got a lot of places to check not now!

Brownsfan · Jan 20, 2015

ecotec said:
Performance Line Tools in Pontiac is wonderful.

http://www.performancetoolcenter.com

While it does lean more towards construction and woodworking, it has a lot of auto tools.

X2. One of the best tool stores I have been to. Lots of Klein Knipex and Channellock. There is also Production tool supply. They have multiple locations.

ecotec · Jan 20, 2015

Brownsfan said:
X2. One of the best tool stores I have been to. Lots of Klein Knipex and Channellock. There is also Production tool supply. They have multiple locations.

They also carry Occidental leather, Champion carbide hole saws (the best), Blaklader clothes, Stabila levels...

lilredex · Jan 20, 2015

There's KBC and Kitts, plus all these to sort through...

http://www.yellowbook.com/s/power-tools/detroit-warren-livonia-mi-metropolitan-statistical-area-mi/

gball · Jan 20, 2015

ecotec said:
Performance Line Tools in Pontiac is wonderful.

http://www.performancetoolcenter.com

While it does lean more towards construction and woodworking, it has a lot of auto tools.

Are you saying there is still a business open in Pontiac? . :headscrat

lol

warmpancakes · Jan 20, 2015

gball said:
Are you saying there is still a business open in Pontiac? . lol

Its actually in waterford its west of Telegraph

gball · Jan 20, 2015

warmpancakes said:
Its actually in waterford its west of Telegraph

I was just joking, but that makes it even funnier... OP, from some one that grew up in the area, the best thing to see there is the entrance ramp to the freeway leaving.

ecotec · Jan 20, 2015

Sorry. Yes, it is in waterford.

logical · Jan 20, 2015

There's a place called Harbor Freight...I hear everything there is awesome.

sz0k30 · Jan 20, 2015

Performance Tool on Telegraph is as good as it gets for tool stores.

Mastermind · Jan 20, 2015

logical said:
There's a place called Harbor Freight...I hear everything there is awesome.

Took long enough....

warmpancakes · Jan 20, 2015

logical said:
There's a place called Harbor Freight...I hear everything there is awesome.

About a mile north on telegraph east side of road across the street from the recently closed Sears, there covered it all

Mastermind · Jan 20, 2015

Sounds like downriver now.... Back on topic, +1 for performance tool and kitts. My favorite tool store in michigan is too far away from auburn hills. C&j tool sales in Ionia. If any of you mich boys are out that way, worth it to stop. Couple miles north of 96 on 66.

NoahG · Jan 20, 2015

I frequent Kitts Industrial Tools on 8 Mile. I was turned onto it by a blacksmith friend years ago. It's kinda like an independent Harbor Freight (they carry Tekton and Grip as their main stock) with low priced Channellock tools and other, over stock, new old stock American made goodies mixed in. Always find something good mixed in their bins.

I also will always love Frentz Hardware in Royal Oak. They have the best selection of pull drawer parts bins I've ever found. Need a metric O ring for the discount special buy faucet you got at Home Depot? They have it.

logical · Jan 20, 2015

Mastermind said:
Took long enough....

I wanted to be sure it came up as a joke before it was thrown out as an actual suggestion.

MemphisR32 · Jan 20, 2015

I will HAVE to check out Performance Tools and Kitts tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions both look awesome!!

torqueman2002 · Jan 20, 2015

MemphisR32 said:
I will HAVE to check out Performance Tools and Kitts tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions both look awesome!!

I like to 'shop' Performance Tools also. Mostly browse to get Ideas of what I want. But frankly, Amazon, eBay, and Google will beat their prices 99% of the time, even when considering S&H (Amazon Prime = 2-day Free Shipping and returns are easy and very customer friendly).

I also endorse Kitts Tools, they have: bulk nuts, bolts, washers, and other assorted hardware. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=kitts+tools They are on 8 Mile Road, yes that 8 Mile - the one the movie was made about. It's an OK area, but like any large city, keep your guard up and your wits about you - go and leave during the daylight.

It's a step above Harbor Freight (BTW - there are several HF sites around Metro Detroit).

If you have several hours to spend, the Henry Ford Museum is a MUST! http://www.thehenryford.org/museum/index.aspx

:thumbup:

Anarius · Jan 21, 2015

ecotec said:
Performance Line Tools in Pontiac is wonderful.

http://www.performancetoolcenter.com

While it does lean more towards construction and woodworking, it has a lot of auto tools.

THIS! I work 'round the corner and I love that shop. Really good prices!

Also, Lapeer is about 20 miles North of Auburn hills right up M-24. There is a shop there called Sam and Jakes. Awesome place.

gjz30075 · Jan 21, 2015

MemphisR32 said:
Anything of interest?

Thanks!

There's the Chrysler musuem at their campus in Auburn Hills. Been there a couple of times and I think they were going to close it soon. Check it out.

warmpancakes · Jan 21, 2015

FrankLee said:
There is a used tool place in Holly and another in Howell. I've never been to either.

The Tool Box in Howell, http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tld/4848143458.html

The Tool Chest in Holly. https://www.facebook.com/HollyToolChest

the one is howell, has some deals from time to time, but he is 75% ebay now, theres another reseller in downtown howell much bigger store and much better pricing, hes on michigan ave south of grand river

warmpancakes · Jan 21, 2015

gjz30075 said:
There's the Chrysler musuem at their campus in Auburn Hills. Been there a couple of times and I think they were going to close it soon. Check it out.

its closed back in 2012 its only open to private partys now

got2boostit2 · Jan 21, 2015

Henry Ford Museum has a unique car display you might want to see.

Brownsfan · Jan 21, 2015

I wish I still had my job that took me to Auburn Hills once a month. I know this is going to sound weird coming from an Ohio guy but I REALLY liked going to Michigan. My best account was in Pontiac. I spent a lot of time up there for 2+ years.

warmpancakes · Jan 21, 2015

Altron or Spector?

NoahG · Jan 21, 2015

Waiting patiently to hear back from OP.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Brownsfan · Jan 21, 2015

warmpancakes said:
Altron or Spector?

Altron/RKST. Great bunch of people. Curt or Cequent.? Im in the aftermarket truck accessories biz now.

whitedogone · Jan 21, 2015

Detroit? ....let's see.... I'm pretty sure one of these stores is coming soon.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Rf81HtlpKq8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

warmpancakes · Jan 21, 2015

Brownsfan said:
Altron/RKST. Great bunch of people. Curt or Cequent.? Im in the aftermarket truck accessories biz now.

Curt the last remaining USA made hitch company,

Used to buy Phoenix gold stuff back in the day, from altron

Brownsfan · Jan 21, 2015

Nice. I used to pass by the Curt building all the time. I do some sub contract electronics work for a local truck accy store. They buy a ton of Curt Hitches. They do buy some of the.others too. I noticed they are Hencho en Mexico. The Curt always have WAY better install instructions. And almost always install easier and more logically. Keep up the good work up there. I have another opportunity that may bring me back there pretty often.

warmpancakes · Jan 21, 2015

The building in wixom? That's my building if your coming up let me know

MemphisR32 · Jan 22, 2015

Thanks for the tip guys. I only had time to check out Performance but there was a lot of good stuff in stock. Ended up going home with a DeWalt heated jacket to give to my father for his birthday and a lisle 36mm oil filter socket for my VW.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1421940314.796530.jpg

I have done the Ford museum before when a meeting on the Dearborn campus got delayed a few hours. It was a really nice facility. I did not see a museum at the Chrysler campus but I didn't really have a lot of time there on this trip. Only a meeting then headed home.

Terra Nova · Jan 22, 2015

There was a used tool store on Telegraph called ReTool. Not sure if it's there anymore. :dunno:

There is a Production Tool in Madison Heights. Mostly machinist items but they carry Williams and Wright hand tools. They've got a lot of machine tools on the floor that you can fondle.

http://www.pts-tools.com/cgi/CGP2HOME

Terra Nova · Jan 22, 2015

warmpancakes said:
the one is howell, has some deals from time to time, but he is 75% ebay now, theres another reseller in downtown howell much bigger store and much better pricing, hes on michigan ave south of grand river

I'll have to give the one downtown another shot. I walked through there but didn't see much of interest. The prices on the couple chainsaws I looked at seemed really high. I did have my 4yr old daughter with me so that may have had something to do with trying to get out of there in a hurry :lol:

torqueman2002 · Jan 27, 2015

How did your visit go?

Did you make it to any of the tool shops?

Edit - Sorry, didn't see your previous post. Sometimes I don't see ALL the new posts when I use the 'NEW POSTS' button on the dashboard.

warmpancakes · Jan 27, 2015

Terra Nova said:
I'll have to give the one downtown another shot. I walked through there but didn't see much of interest. The prices on the couple chainsaws I looked at seemed really high. I did have my 4yr old daughter with me so that may have had something to do with trying to get out of there in a hurry

most of tonys stuff isnt priced, some of the odder items he likes and would rather trade, he collects some unusual stuff and loves to trade swap rather than sell the place is more hobby than buisness

Any tool shops in Detroit area worth checking out?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member