Local, independently owned old-timey tool stores

[JR 42]

Hardware Sales, Bellingham WA - also an excellent online seller. Hardware, tools, a complete rigging shop, pipe threading etc etc etc!

Hardwick & Sons in the U district in Seattle. Woodworking tools from around the world - most of the timber framers I know stop in to get their fix of Japanese tools you just can't find anywhere else.

Yes, Hardwick's! Better visit again soon, they've been talking about closing up and moving to Idaho for a couple years now. I wish they didn't have to lock up all the cool ****, but I understand why.

Crown Hill Hardware had some dusty NOS Simmonds and Norton US- made stuff last I was there, but they're long gone.

 

[GTO]

Joseph Fazio LLC
Farmingdale ,NJ

 

[Formula]

Berland's house of tools.

https://www.berlandstools.com

Locations in Lombad, Joliet and Palatine, IL

 

[hsvtoolfool]

Highland Hardware Atlanta GA...

www.highlandwoodworking.com/

Lewder Hardware Huntsville AL

 

[pajibson]

Sam & Jakes in Lapeer MI
Performance line tool center in Waterford MI

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[KDoug]

Didn't see anybody mention this one. I saw this store on EBay, so I googled it. I've never been there, so maybe some of the GJ members in Arizona can chime in. I just found out about it earlier today and thought it might fit the criteria for this thread.

Robert's Pro Tools

7143 E Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85209

https://robertsprotools.com

 

[6PTsocket]

Joseph Fazio-Wall LLC
Wall,NJ

I forgot they sell tools. I never get past the bulk hardware bins., an entire wall of grade 8, yellow zinc nuts and bolts in every size up to 1 inch, that they sell by the pound. Then on to the grade 5 wall. Compare that to HD or Lowes, that sells you a couple of screws in a blister pack for way more. Their main business is metal in any shape size or alloy, mostly in the yard next door. The Wall location is the smaller one. They are also in south Jersey. That is one heavy duty place.

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[pcmeiners]

Reiman's hardware Staten Island, NY.... last of the real hardware stores on the island.

 

[arms1970]

Berland's house of tools.

https://www.berlandstools.com

Locations in Lombad, Joliet and Palatine, IL

Love me some berlands.

 

[arms1970]

The tool store. 47th and harlem
Stickney, Il

 

[tutti57]

Tool Thrift Shop

A place near me run by volunteers who use the money to support people 60+ with assisted living costs.

https://toolthriftshop.org/

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[The Cobbler]

Art's Tools, St Catharines On Can http://www.artstoolsales.com/

 

[6PTsocket]

Reiman's hardware Staten Island, NY.... last of the real hardware stores on the island.

Good store. I worked a couple of blocks away for 26 years. I think they used to have a lumber yard across the street. I bought there and so did my employer, if we needed something quick. They also have a ton of stuff in the basement.

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[highland512]

Dayton Tool Crib in Dayton, OH. Stocking SK, Wright, Klein, Felo, Milwaukee, and shop equipment. Great store.

http://www.daytontoolcrib.com/

 

[jgme]

Lakeshore Tool in Lorain, Ohio is one of my favorite places to go. They carry mostly made in USA tools SK, Wright, Proto, Starrett. They have a bunch of power tools too. They can order just about anything you want

2029 N Ridge Rd, Lorain, OH 44055

I realize this is an old post but I would like to thank you for highlighting Lakeshore Tool and Equipment. I stopped there today for the first time to get some price quotes for Proto tools. The store is impressive for their inventory of quality tools. The person I talked to was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. I came away with some safety glasses but I'm sure I will be acquiring some good tools soon to fill in the gaps with my collection. The Proto tools of interest have to be ordered.

 

[NoahG]

Frentz & Son's Hardware
1010 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Kitt's Industrial Tools
27600 W 8 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Most of my Bay Area favorites have been posted but here's one other great one that fits the bill:
Daly City Tool Mart
7339 Mission St, Daly City, CA 94014

Just south of San Francisco. Stock a bunch of Stahlwille (only time I've seen them in a brick and mortar) plus SK and Snap On, and a huge selection of automotive specialty tools. Whenever I need some obscure specialty tool today this is where I go. Prices are... not low but the workers are knowledgeable and helpful and it's cool to be able to check out Stahlwille stuff in person.

 

[RTM]

Most of my Bay Area favorites have been posted but here's one other great one that fits the bill:
Daly City Tool Mart
7339 Mission St, Daly City, CA 94014

May have to check them out on the way home from work one day soon, thanks

 

[silkman]

Here in Athens we still have local small shops in every area that sell paint and mostly chinesium hand tools. In the center, you can find more specialized stuff catering to industrial/trade clients. And a lot better prices for Knipex etc.

My Hazet dealer from Google streetview, he has mostly everything except StanleyBlackand Decker (which is a good thing). Has a dedicated Hazet room .



Facom dealer in the same area, this place is a candy shop.

 

[Bubba Fett]

We ain't gone none in Raleigh.

As far as tool-only stores go yes these are both good hardware stores that carry a good amount of tools.

Burke Bro's http://www.burkebrothershardware.com/

Handyman hardware on New Bern Ave.

 

[dnschmidt]

Whenever I'm back in Michigan from Oregon, Performance Line Tools on Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac Mich. is a must visit and buy store. Selection is next to anything you'd ever need.
Movin/on

And Telegraph Road is a truly great Dire Straits song. Mark Knopfler at his best!!

 

[Ton ton]

What a great idea for a thread.
Here’s the only one I know in my area. It’s weird... nothing is priced. You have to ask because your account type determines price.


Hanover Tool
10417 Dow gill rd
Ashland va 23005

Second location
1701 w hundred rd
Suite d
Chester Va 23836

Finally someone listed a Virginia tool store. I understand that this is an older thread. I wish I could find a dedicated tool store in the Shenandoah Valley.

 

[Ton ton]

The best store I can come up with in Virginia is Dillon Supply in Harrisonburg,VA. Mostly contractors tools and steel. But they are a favorite place to hang out and gape @ whatever they have in the showroom.

 

[BarrelRoll]

We have Alaska Industrial Hardware (AIH) up here in Alaska, they have 8 stores in the state. It's nice to be able to buy name brand tools on a Sunday in Juneau, Alaska, a city of 30k connected to nowhere by roads.

https://www.aih.com/

 

[Monte]

Facom dealer in the same area, this place is a candy shop.

This is cool

 

[silkman]

This is cool

Monte, how are prices in Germany? The shops above will give me much better prices than online (eg idealo) especially if you get to know the people who work / own them.

 

[antman213]

Joseph Fazio-Wall LLC
Wall,NJ

The Glassboro Location has a FANTASTIC surplus center. Full of power and hand tools of ALL SIZES. I can't get enough of the place.

 

[texasprd]

In San Antonio:

Brannens. Power tools (especially Makita, as they are the Makita Pro Center for the area), abrasive, bits, etc.
https://brannens.com/

Sankey Equipment - air compressors and tools, lifts, jacks, etc.
http://www.sankeyequipment.com/

Carl Turner Equipment - got my Norco floor jack here https://www.carlturnerequip.com/

 

[GTO]

Home | Jersey Discount Tool Co.

www.jerseydiscounttoolco.com

 

[ecotec]

Kitts in Farmington MI is my secret NOS spot. They had tonnage of Facom era NOS SK for decades. I did not mention them for years until I got all the cheap SK that I wanted. I figured that if I mentioned them on GJ, the NOS SK would be cleaned out in a month.

Performance Tool Center in Waterford on Telegraph is one of the largest stores of high end tools you will ever visit. So many top brands.

Wholesale Tool in Warren on Stephens is worth a trip every couple months. I always find something cool.

PTS or Production Tool, whatever they are calling themselves now is worth a trip every now and then. They were bought by Warren Buffet’s company Berkshire Hathaway, so they are definitely not independently owned anymore. They used to have old NOS Wright in the red metal boxes… so, I did not mention them for years on GJ. They would have been cleaned out in one day. They used to have huge deals on shelves behind the pickup counter (not the showroom counter) of the 8 mile store. After Armstrong was shuttered, they were practically giving away 1/2” 6pt chrome Armstrong sets… cheaper than you could buy foreign made sets.

 

[billconner]

I haven't read every post but Jack's in Berwyn IL is a classic family run local tool store. Great store. Rental and repairs in addition to sales. Some remarkable antique tools displayed as well.

 

[Ton ton]

Keystone Air Power, Myerstown,PA has a really nice paper catalog with an amazing variety of power tools. They sell King Tony wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. Gas powered reciprocating saws, you name it, they probably sell it. Woodworking/ construction type tools.

 

[tom in nh]

Tool Liquidation Center in Derry, NH.
95% used tools, equipment, and machinery.
Wish there was more like this in the northeast...

 

[RPH]

Whenever I'm back in Michigan from Oregon, Performance Line Tools on Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac Mich. is a must visit and buy store. Selection is next to anything you'd ever need.
Movin/on

When they opened the Pontiac store they closed all the others. They were much better stocked and more choices before. They dropped a lot of tool lines and products at the time Pontiac opened.

 

[landrover bodger]

this is about the only old-time hardware and tool shop we have left in Norwich now www.thornsdiy.com

 

[ecotec]

The other things that Kitts is or was awesome for, is vintage Cleveland Twist Drill sets in the stamped hammertone indexes (I ******* love this stuff… is it as good as National Twist Drill NOS in vintage stamped indexes… **** no… nothing from Ohio is as good as the Michigan equivalent… that is just science… but I haven’t found a honeyhole of National Twist Drill… so this is as good as it gets) and 7pc Blackhawk ratcheting wrench sets. The Blackhawk sets would not be your main ratcheting wrench set. They would be your set sized between your normal sized set and your stubby set… like your small sized combination wrench set.

They are also a dealer of Gray Pneumatic (not vintage).

You may not find anything there… but I always do. Go with no expectations and leave with something made decades ago made by American people in America in original packaging… NOS is my favorite. I did not mention this place for years on GJ.

They have the Hout drill bit stands made decades ago in America by Americans on the original cardboard hang tags for less than you could buy a Chinese made drill bit stand.

 

[ecotec]

I am have a hell of a time uploading pictures…

 

[jeffmoss26]

Ecotec, I got a metric set from Kitts on ebay recently

 

[ecotec]

Ecotec, I got a metric set from Kitts on ebay recently

I remember. You always find good stuff. I don’t think that I ever looked at Kitts EBay page before your post.

I haven’t been to Kitts in about 6 months. I should stop by the next time I am over on that side of town.

I have a huge collection of NOS drill bit set… which is ironic, considering what I do. 99% of the drill bits I use are 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 1/4” masonry… on top of that… they are provided by my contractors…

 

[gsloan]

New-Way Tool Supply Santa Clara Ca.

I found an ink line there after looking all over for one. In case anyone doesn’t know, it’s like a chalk line that uses ink instead of chalk and produces a super clean, sharp line.

They had other things that I don’t see anywhere else.

Mixed reviews, but my experience was fine