Northern Equipment

[red vette mike]

Over the years I have bought a good deal of tools, etc from Northern Equipment which is based in Burnsville, Minnesota. I have always been impressed with their products, prices and service. One of their CSRs recently told me that I needed to be a "Hotline" member. It cost something to become one ($25 or $35). They publish a special catalog each month that goes to Hotline members only. Just about everything in this catalog is marked down some but the best part is that almost everything includes free shipping. For example I ordered a parts washer recently. It was marked down some and the shipping was free. The thing weighed 139lbs. I saved over $80 shipping on this one purchase. I have bought something every month or two because the deals are fair and the shipping is free ( I am trying to outfit a garage addition that I recently completed). When I got the parts washer I found that it used a 'water base' cleaning solvent only (not what I wanted). The catalog didn't state that I so called Northern to say that nothing in their advertising discription stated that this washer would not use a petroleum based solvent. They said that I was correct and that they would take the washer back. I ordered another solvent based washer from them and they paid for the shipping back and then paid for the shipping on the new washer to me (it just happened to be in the Hotline catalog too).
Northern Equipment is a good bunch to do business with (NorthernTool.com)

 

[Winmon]

Wow, thanks for the info. I have ordered a few things from them and was unaware they had such a program. Their catalog has become my favorite catalog since building my garage!

 

[4t64rd]

I am about to buy a Hobart 187 ($649 w/ free cart) from them, good to know I made a good decision.

 

[red vette mike]

I am about to buy a Hobart 187 ($649 w/ free cart) from them, good to know I made a good decision.

4T6: That is good to know because I told my wife that I wanted that exact welder for Christmas. She was griping some but I think it will show up. That is a heck of a deal, if you ask me. Free shipping and the welding cart. Good deal.

 

[kartracer55]

yeah, northern is pretty cool. Thats where I got the thundergun from. It came and it looked like it had been returned because it was all dirty and the powdercoat was chipped off. I called and they sent me another one with the shipping label for the old one. Had the replacement gun in like 2 days and they covered the shipping both ways.

My only gripe with them is that they sell alot of import HF type hand tools. I think they would actually do really well if they offered those tools, as well as a line like Proto or Armstrong. They are getting it right with the airtools tho. They carry all 3. The problem is, youc ant find a set of US made impact sockets in the northern catalog.

Also, I wasnt really impressed with thier parts washer, at least the one I use on occasion. It really doesnt flow very well and I know it has been taken apart and cleaned out at least twice in like 2 years because the pump seems to clog up rather easily.

I know my fried is a big fan of northern for heavy duty (12ton) jack stands and other truck equipment. FTR, avoid thier prybars, they have a TON of flex in them.

Overall , a good place to buy air tools and certian types of shop equipment. A little too much HF/Big-Red stuff though.

Jim

 

[thefairlaneman]

I like northern but I found a sandblaster identical to the one they had on sale for much less at harbor freight.........Best to compare their prices if you can

 

[ZRX61]

My kid wants that mini rollaway toolbox from them for christmas. It's on sale for $119.99...

& then they quote me $147 shipping , even tho Fed Ex & UPS quoted me $60 for shipping..... I'm done buying from those clowns.

 

[Ign]

I've never found Northern to have a competitive price on anything. Maybe their "Hotline" catalog is different, but since all their normal prices are high, I'd expect the hotline catalog prices to just be "good."

If you regularly troll the tool catalogs like I do, you'll find 99% of their house brand is nothing but Harbor Freight quality at a significantly higher price. Since most Harbor Freight orders only incur an $8.99 handling charge the shipping is still darn near free (esp if you always use the $5 coupons like I do)
http://www.billt.com/harborfreight.htm

As ZRX61 found, their shipping prices on truck freight are astronomical. You can order a $200 engine hoist from them and pay as much to have it shipped. Exact same hoist Harbor Freight carries, and I think they now charge $50 to ship truck freight items.

On brand name air tools I've again never seen Northern have a competitive price. Find any IR, CP, or Aircat tool and Google it and you'll find it for less w free shipping.

However I'm not entirely bashing Northern, they have a great selection and I order from them when I have no other choice. Since I don't have a Big R or any other good farm supply nearby, Northern is a great source for things like straps, tie-downs, weld-on D rings, misc trailer parts, etc.

It sounds like Northern's customer service is good, but it better be for what they charge. Toolwarehouse.net is also a good source. Most of my stuff comes from specific web searches (for air tools,power tools and cordless tools) or Harbor Freight.

 

[ersatzs2]

Toolwarehouse.net is also a good source. Most of my stuff comes from specific web searches (for air tools,power tools and cordless tools) or Harbor Freight.

I am a huge fan of toolwarehouse.net (note, not .com) Most times I've used them I get my order the next day. They must have an amazing warehouse. Shipping is usually free for orders over $100. (not on the website, they send email coupons) They stock cheapo stuff to the exotic, in fact I first used them because they had Facom tools (world's best vicegrips and hacksaws!) at much better prices than Griot.

 

[Ign]

I've had great luck w any of the major places that come up on web searches, such as Tyler Tool, Maxtool.com, Tooltopia, Toolbarn, Jackxchange, mytoolstore.com and many Yahoo or Amazon vendors. Taking a few minutes to review all these (and go all the way into the shopping cart to check total cost of shipping if not free) will save you $ virtually every time.

 

[ZRX61]

much better prices than Griot.

No surprise there....
I was looking for a step thingie when painting the top of trucks etc. Griots has this for $99.99 +$15 shipping:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=91580

Identical to the one Target sells for $79.99
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...-0282240?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0002M9M1Y

Griots catalog says "specially made for us".. "imported" yeah, made for *us* meaning everyone in the US & imported by Target....

 

[joa65]

Over the years I have bought a good deal of tools, etc from Northern Equipment which is based in Burnsville, Minnesota. QUOTE]


I browse Northern quite often. I happen to live in Burnsville about 1 mile away. I've had good luck there. Two summers ago I spent about $300 there buying parts to build an 8hp motorized barstool. FUN!

 

[Willy Victor]

I bought a Hobart 125 from them for $300, free shiping. Since I only do hobby welding it's all I need. I have not seen that price anywhere else.

Willy

 

[tsbrewers]

Over the years I have bought a good deal of tools, etc from Northern Equipment which is based in Burnsville, Minnesota. QUOTE]


I browse Northern quite often. I happen to live in Burnsville about 1 mile away. I've had good luck there. Two summers ago I spent about $300 there buying parts to build an 8hp motorized barstool. FUN!

Where in burnsville are ya? I used to live right behind the Best Buy there kiddy corner from Northern tool. (woodhill rd)

I picked up a cord reel from them on Black Friday, went back the next day. Would not coil back up, felt like the housing was too small and the cord would bunch up and rub the housing with 10' left to retract. anyway, grabbed the almost identical one from HF and it has worked great. $10 cheaper too. Not sure why but I have been on a HF kick lately.

Brew