Posting hand tools usa to australia

[Clancyp92]

Hey all, a lengthy topic ahead (Warning).

Speaking strictly about automotive hand tooling, Spanners (Wrenches), Sockets, Ratchets, Screwdrivers etc. It seems that in the States you lot seem to have many many more places to shop for hand tools vs the somewhat limited decent options that we have here down under. We have our share of handy stores around and online, but from searching through reviews and other websites it seems that the Northern Hemisphere has a bit more going for it as far as tooling.

There also seems to be a fair bit more pride that goes into producing your country's own tools, whereas we are often quite happy to import whatever does the job and turns cash over quickly.

Armstrong, Proto, Snap-On (we have a rep here who pulls up every Friday, one of my only reliable sources), Matco, SK, Williams, Mac, Wright, Carlyle, Craftsman and probably a heap more that I am unaware of all seem to get raving reviews online, however are not accessible here.

What we have are Repco, Stanley, Kincrome, Jimmy, Gearwrench, Sidchrome, JBS, SP, KC Tools, Teng, Bahco and Snap-On/Blue Point.

I'm probably missing some but thats definitely the bulk off the top of my head. Please feel free to add whatever I have missed from either nation.

Now, it's not the sheer numbers game that I'm looking at, but rather the quality. You see when I pick up and compare a SP, JBS or Kinchrome socket, I'm hard pressed to find any noticible difference in build quality, almost all brands (with the obvious exception of Snap-On, and I'd also include Sidchrome Spanners) look like they have passed through the same factory in Taiwan just with a different brand stamped on them, and some I'm left questioning the "Professional" label on them (especially the ones that wont provide warranty for tools used in commercial environments...)

So after that lengthy brief, my question is, has anyone had experience sending tools internationally? Because what I would like to do, maybe over the course of a few months, is slowly import a few samples of individual wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers etc and compare them to whats common down here.

Any advice much appreciated!

 

[Waltc]

I'm in Aus too, I've bought most of my tools through tbs-aachen and rakuten. There's plenty of shops online that ship to Australia, for US made tools too if that's your thing.

 

[gdocktor3]

I've never shipped internationally, but if you look at the tool truck equivalents page, you will find many top tier tools are rebadged by other, less popular companies. Matco wrenches are Armstrong, minus the opti torque. Williams are made by Snap On. Bahco is a division of snap in and the ratchets use Snap On's dual 80 gears. Mac and Proto are owned by Stanley and a lot of their stuff is the same. Craftsman USA screwdrivers are same as SK and some others made by Western Forge. Plus a ton of other stuff.

My point is, do your research and buy the oem manufacturer if you plan on buying internationally. On top of paying the hefty shipping charge, why pay more just because it has a different name on it?

Here's the tool equivalents list http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

And here's a thread I made comparing some of my tools and what I thought about them.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5554604

 

[Clancyp92]

Oh yeah? I've never heard of those, I'll search it up now.

It's not really that it's my thing, I'm happy with my Sidchrome, Genius, Snap On, Repco and a few others, they all get me by sufficiently. It's just that I would like to compare what we get down here to the raving reviews that I read from up there. I just haven't trusted a lot of websites to shop internationally

 

[Clancyp92]

Thanks gdocktor3, if that is your real name haha

Ill read up on those links, cheers.

Yes I am well aware that many brands are bundled under one larger group e.g. stanley black and decker, thats where I would like to make my own personal comparisons. As for the shipping I'm not going to post one socket at a time haha, there will definitely be a little more thought put into that.

Cheers guys keep it coming

 

[Stooge]

I've shipped tools, (all have been snap on) to Australia a few times from ebay sales I've done and was actually surprised by how cheap it was through the US postal service considering the weights and sizes of some of them. Everytime, it has been getting private messaged from the buyer asking about it, a few abck and forth messages and i just try and get as close to a realistic shipping cost with a small buffer incase it goes over. that's what i would try to do if you are looking for ones and twos of things, just find what your looking for on ebay and if they are a decent enough person, convince them to ship internationally, and hope it all goes smoothly.

 

[Clancyp92]

Thats not a bad idea stooge, thanks.

I did give international a go only one time. I bought my ingersoll 2235timax from Amazon US and even with postage I still saved around AUD$150 (as they were new and difficult to get a hold of here).

I was a bit worried about it but when it arrived 2 weeks later I was thrilled. That gun has got some balls.

What I have had trouble with is actually finding the tools to begin with? I'll definitely look at ebay and any other suggestions, all advice is valued.

 

[Stooge]

i remember one time when I shipped to Australia through ebay, it was for a Snap On FLL80, extra long (17") 3/8 drive ratchet. i think it sold for around $115-$120 USD, and about $40 to ship it in a thick cardboard poster tube. i had asked the seller why he didn't just buy one over there and he said the same thing, ever with paying international shipping, he was still saving about $100 and that ratchet, (along with other things) wasn't even available to the Australian market at the time. Didn't really take any extra effort on my end, just went to the post office with the package and an address and let them figure it out rather than just printing off a label from ebay/ paypal.

 

[ssdave]

I don't know what you're looking for, but I'd be willing to ship you an assortment of Proto and SK sockets to try out. I have quite a few that I'm getting rid of, price is about $1 to $3 per socket, in good used to new condition. Don't know if that's cost effective for what you're looking for, and most are imperial sizes, not metric, although I have a fair selection of metric Proto also. I've shipped a lot of stuff to Australia from ebay (used to, don't now because of problematic ebay policies). Using first class mail for single light items or flat rate boxes for more items isn't too expensive.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Some Proto tools are available through sidchrome (24T ratchets, some specialty tools, punches and chisels). Sidchrome also has some Australian made punches and chisels! Just ordered a set of the Sidchrome Australian made nail punches to be shipped to me in NZ.

You can look at ebay.com (not ebay.com/au) and see if any sellers are willing to ship internationally. Otherwise I'm sure some members will be willing to hook you up.

Tool aren't nearly as expensive in the States as they are in Australia/NZ. You guys are paying SK, Williams, and Proto prices for the basic Taiwan tools (Toptul, JBS, Kinchrome).

If you want to see what is available, download some .pdf catalogs from SK, Williams, Proto, Blackhawk, wright, and maybe a few other brands that people will suggest.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Clancyp92 what tools are you in the market for ?

 

[Matt Irvine]

I have quite a bit of Snap On that was purchased from the states and brought in, postage wasn't bad at all,

It may be worth looking at Stahlwille and Gedore over here, industrial tools at pretty reasonable price, and to be honest I prefer my Stahlwille 14 series spa ends over my FD+,
Anyway just a thiught

 

[TigerDude]

No Japanese brands there? KTC, Ko-ken, Tone, asahi?

 

[Sack87]

For some reason, Masters (Lowe's in the US) don't sell any Kobalt spanner sets here. I'm having a solely Kobalt home box as they have a better tool range than Bunnings but I have to buy the majority out of the states.

Shipping is always more expensive than the item itself and there isn't just one place/person I can buy from to bundle it up.

 

[_gear2]

Now, it's not the sheer numbers game that I'm looking at, but rather the quality. You see when I pick up and compare a SP, JBS or Kinchrome socket, I'm hard pressed to find any noticible difference in build quality, almost all brands (with the obvious exception of Snap-On, and I'd also include Sidchrome Spanners) look like they have passed through the same factory in Taiwan just with a different brand stamped on them, and some I'm left questioning the "Professional" label on them (especially the ones that wont provide warranty for tools used in commercial environments...)

A lot of Sidchrome's tools actually come out of the same factory in Taiwan as Stanley's your just paying a premium for Aussie nostalgia branding, there is quite a lot of cross over in their tool line up... all 'Australian' brands are much a muchness really. (well excluding finkle punches)

https://www.amazon.de/?tag= - Is great for German tool brand -Gedore Hazet etc.. though to keep the shipping down It can only come from amazon's store which limits the options

http://www.gmarket.co.kr/ - Korean - but it has Japnese brands like KTC and Koken and shipping often undercuts rakuten

you can also get Stahlwille at masters and wera and nws at bunnings...

 

[Bielio]

If someone wants something shipped from the US to another country.
I'd be willing to help.
Hopefully someone can find tools for me in the future if the need arises.
There should be a thread where people can post their country, what tools / brands they can obtain. Some buddy system worked out.

 

[rsanter]

If those of you in AU want to buy a bulk of tools, I could,likly,get them to Australia with a friend there that comes to visit me and takes a shipping container of car parts back with him

Bob

 

[Sack87]

How would the system work though? I wouldn't transfer funds without knowing I was getting the tools and you guys wouldn't buy the tools without the funds yeah?

I want a whole bunch of Kobalt tools from Lowes and not pay $50 shipping for each item like on ebay. They could all be put in a shoe box and sent over for the one price.

 

[Bielio]

Sack87, it was just an idea that members could help out one another.
I've sold items in the Conus (continental US) to forum members here with zero issues.
Pricing and shipping overseas isn't something I've done a whole lot but I'm willing to help if someone needed it.
Shipping would obviously be on the buyers behalf (whichever shipping company they want , whatever insurance value they requested).
I'm sure there's an international shipping service here (example: Fedex, UPS, USPS) that would ship a flat rate box maybe? Then I wrap all the tools up and ship them out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rsanter]

How would the system work though? I wouldn't transfer funds without knowing I was getting the tools and you guys wouldn't buy the tools without the funds yeah?

I want a whole bunch of Kobalt tools from Lowes and not pay $50 shipping for each item like on ebay. They could all be put in a shoe box and sent over for the one price.

Personally if I was the one helping you out I would ask that you get on the lowes website and have you order and pay for the stuff and have it shipped to my house (free shipping?) or specify store pickup.

Then I would just worry about posting it over to you

Bob

 

[Bielio]

Personally if I was the one helping you out I would ask that you get on the lowes website and have you order and pay for the stuff and have it shipped to my house (free shipping?) or specify store pickup.

Then I would just worry about posting it over to you

Bob

That's probably a better idea. Gives the buyer time to shop online. Get exactly what they need. Just a matter of shipping it.

 

[Sack87]

That's a good idea in theory but there is no protection for me that guarantees I get them, like if it were done through PayPal.

I'm not judging your honesty but I don't want to get stung.

 

[Bielio]

I understand your point completely.
Especially if an item was lost and the buyer didn't get insurance or something.

I've bought things from members of this forum without hesitation.
Once word goes around a person is trusted (multiple purchases from more than a few members) it's worth giving it a shot, at least starting out small. That's how I did it.

Then again, there's always searching for companies that ship abroad which the shipping is $6 - $15 USD, which isn't bad (to ship into the states).

I just thought the idea wasn't bad, since we have members from around the globe. The problem sometimes is price-of-product vs. shipping cost.

I believe PayPal protects buyers way better than the seller.

I bought a pair of Hexarmor gloves direct from a U.S. Distributor. They took my money (using PayPal), no receipt email from the company. No attempted contact.
I emailed three times over a two week period and called twice.
No response.
I contacted PayPal which immediately refunded my money/canceled the order.

What I learned was PayPal has the ability to reach their fingers into the users bank account and take money back. At least that's what the Rep told me.
PayPal doesn't mess around with that, especially when (as a buyer) you're using their service on more than likely 1 site. They need buyers more than a seller.

 

[JonnyMac]

Depends where is Oz you are as to how difficult good tools are to attain
..
Given the US AU exchange rate its not currently very good value to buy from the US..

 

[Bielio]

Point taken.

 

[Sack87]

Depends where is Oz you are as to how difficult good tools are to attain
..
Given the US AU exchange rate its not currently very good value to buy from the US..

Yeah the Aussie dollar is **** but Masters don't sell Kobalt spanners or even allen keys.

 

[Sack87]

EBay on crack

 

[JonnyMac]

Plenty of equivalents to kobalt over here, mainly japanese brands, ktc and koken are 2 that come to mind.. However bondhus and elkin for hex keys are easily available... pretty sure bunnings had them last time i looked. Bunnings are now also stocking Wera ratchets, sockets and hex
If you are in Melbourne / geelong i can recommend one of the best hand tool shops ive seen in any country inc US and UK..

 

[JonnyMac]

For some reason US mainstream sellers, particularly ebay are using shipping houses rather than shipping directly.
So for ebay US the price the Australian buyer sees is different from the cost that the seller receives. The seller ships internally to a central location (i think its kansas but i might be wrong on that) the shipping joint then ships overseas and cover the risk of loss etc..
Just means i dont buy from ebay anymore unless i get the seller to opt out of their global shipping program, most dont or cant get out of it...

 

[tank4114]

i used to have a shipping address in the states when the dollar was good and i used to buy thousands every month from states but since the dollar doped its just not worth it once you factor in exchange rate and shipping im just waiting for it to hopefully go back up as i need alot of car parts for my race car build

 

[TK-421]

Dang double post.

 

[TK-421]

I like the idea of having a forum for people overseas from the US but want US tools, and then people in the US can help them out. I'd be willing to do it if someone needed me to.

 

[Skin]

A lot of Sidchrome's tools actually come out of the same factory in Taiwan as Stanley's your just paying a premium for Aussie nostalgia branding, there is quite a lot of cross over in their tool line up... all 'Australian' brands are much a muchness really. (well excluding finkle punches)

This isn't entirely true. A lot of Sidchrome comes out of Rotar group and uses basically the same designs as Facom as opposed to plain Stanley tools. Also some MAC/Proto blending in there (air tools). Its good stuff, a lot nicer than some generic Stanley set off the shelf of Walmart or something.

 

[Sack87]

Plenty of equivalents to kobalt over here, mainly japanese brands, ktc and koken are 2 that come to mind.. However bondhus and elkin for hex keys are easily available... pretty sure bunnings had them last time i looked. Bunnings are now also stocking Wera ratchets, sockets and hex
If you are in Melbourne / geelong i can recommend one of the best hand tool shops ive seen in any country inc US and UK..

I'm just sticking with one brand tool for the new house home box, being Kobalt; as its all the same design and colour and some of it is USA made. I sold my last set of home tools because it was a **** show of many cheapo brands from Bunnings, Masters, Toolmart etc. I have all Snap-On for my work box and I like to buy stuff by brands, much like all my Samsung electronics.

I'm in Perth BTW.

 

[JonnyMac]

Ah perth... quite a few WA based guys on here comment on the lack of tool availabilty there..