Tips for Charlotte, NC Area folks...

[jmm]

New here, and I found some killer deals this weekend:

Howe (or Howe's?) Industrial Supply, Gastonia, NC on West Franklin BLVD. Not sure what the deal is with this place; I assume it used to be a humming supply company back when Gastonia was an industrial boom town. Now it's really rough looking, a dimly lit, huge building with one employee and some weird hours. BUT it looks to me like they've been in business so long that they've amassed an incredibly large stock, almost all USA made. They are heavy on the Easco brand, with a good bit of Proto, Blackhawk, Armstrong, Bondhus, Chesco, and Williams. I only stopped through for a few minutes in between pawn shops, but it looks like this place is ripe if you're in the hunt for no frills workhorse type tools (looks like they haven't gotten new stock in many years). I brought up 8 + 10 mm T-handle allens (Chesco), a 27 mm socket (Easco), and a 19mm hex drive socket (Armstrong) to the counter. 'How about 10 bucks'. I'm going back.

The 321 Flea Market in Dallas. Solid spot for tools usually, not a ton of dealers, but I usually come away with something cool. Today was a really good day. There is a dealer letting new, unpackaged Knipex stuff go for about 25-30% off retail; he also had a good bit of Channellock at an even greater discount. Down the aisle, I found a guy with several boxes of new Blackhawk flex head ratcheting wrenches and Proto ratcheting wrenches. Sizes ranged from 6mm-19mm (I only looked at metric). Price listed was 4/ea, I got 6 for 18.

 

[NC Fabricator25]

Hi jmm, Thanks for the tip! I live in the area, not more than 10 minutes from the 321 Flea Market and will be heading up there this weekend. I have about 75% complete sets of the Blackhawk ratcheting wrenches and could use some to fill in the gaps Can you give me any shortcuts on where the booth is, inside a building, outside, etc? Thanks!

And thanks for the note about Howe Dist., I had nearly forgotten about them existing. When I was young my Dad frequented the store (was probably his favorite place to shop!) to add to his Proto tools. I haven't been there in years and remember them seeming to be in the "going out of business mode" permanently. They used to list some NOS on eBay, but their prices seemed a little optimistic, not sure if they still do.

Thanks for the memories and the tip for the Flea Market! David

 

[Jawn]

Thanks, I'll have to check both of these out next time I'm in NC.

 

[speadphreak]

Thanks, Im just south in Rock Hill. Ill check Howes this week.

 

[jmm]

Think I'm going to head back to Howe this Friday on the way to Charlotte. I'm in Shelby. If you decide to head out, be careful. The lady closed up shop at 3:30 last week. No hours posted. Best call ahead (if they have a working telephone...it's that kinda spot!). I think the place is really cool. I think you're right about it being in permanent going out of business-mode: it's a shadow (literally) of what it once was, but there's SO much stuff there, especially behind the counter. Stacks and stacks full of all kinds of parts, I'd imagine. Maybe I'll find out some more next time I'm in there. If you need measuring instruments, it's easy to miss them: they're in a display case beside the door. A trip out there would be most worth your while if you're looking for 3/8 or 1/2 drive SAE sockets. There's a wall full.

David: the vendors at the Dallas flea market move around some, but last weekend the guy with the ratchet wrenches was on the first row (facing the road), about mid-way down. Unless there's more he didn't have out, your best luck will be with metric sizes 13 and under. The Knipex guy was in the same row, a few booths from the parking lot. There were only a few other guys selling tools last week, mostly normal flea market stuff. If you feel like shootin the ****, check out the guy in that same first row with all the rusty farming tools and traffic light. He's cool as hell, and if you look carefully (and don't mind making up a vinegar bath or pulling out a grinder) you might find some old Blue Point double box end wrenches...

 

[NC Fabricator25]

I managed a trip to Howe Dist today........man have I been missing out!

Very cool place to shop, it had been years since I was in there, so thanks again JMM for reminding me. Looked through all the tools out front and the friendly lady (co-owner) let me look through the back aisles where the majority (I don't use that term lightly either!) is........tons of NOS, absolutely amazing. Very glad I had a flashlight with me!

Mostly Easco and older Williams (all USA), with some Allen, S-K, Armstrong, and Billings. Sockets, wrenches, box, combos, extensions, ratchets, etc., etc.!

I purchased a couple of short length Armstrong wrenches, (not stubbies), and 2 3/4" NC nylon insert lock nuts.

They also have quite a bit of NOS Starrett and Mitutoyo stuff in the back, drill chucks, arbors, cutting tools, etc. and quite a few C Clamps (Wilton and Armstrong) way in the back......she quoted me $20 each for 6" Wiltons, a very cheap price.

And there is a friendly dog that accompanied me all around the building! I will be going back!

BTW, generally hours are 9:00 - 3:30 M-F, but she said they are going to be open on Saturdays now as well, I'm guessing the same hours.

 

[jmm]

David, glad I could help! I'm headed back this week, if I can find some extra time. For it's faults, I love the place. Make it to the flea market?

Got any tips to throw my way? I'm a sucker for a good pawn shop or flea market. Not to mention well-stocked, well-staffed hardware stores (or odd-ball spots like Howe!).

I'm in Shelby. I usually stick between there and Gastonia and Kings Mountain. Business 74 through KM, then 74 (Franklin Blvd-Wilkinson) through Gastonia is ripe with pawn shops.

-Morgan

 

[GTO]

Would it be possible to post any pictures of Howes ?
Thanks

 

[Jarhead0408]

X3 on the pics.

Damn, Looks like I'm going to miss out.
Have to travel to Tennessee soon but I won't be able to leave 'till well past their closing time, same story for the return trip.

Thanks for the tip though, might be able too hit them up sometime in the future.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Whoop!,
I meant X2!

 

[jmm]

Only camera I have is on my computer, sorry guys. It's not much (at all!) to look at anyway. JUST GO, you'll be glad you did, especially if you like USA made stuff.

Anyone ever hunted tools at the big antiques show at Metrolina Expo (Charlotte)? I was thinking there MUST be some vendors out there, and the show is this weekend.

 

[jmm]

Here's another: Bigger's Machine Products on Highway 150 in Boiling Springs, NC. An hour west of Charlotte. Pickings here are way slimmer than Howe, but the ship they run is much tighter. Bigger's just got in a ton of Craftsman Industrial stuff; lots of 1/2" and 3/4" drive stuff. A good bit of 3/8" too, as well as wrenches. Metric is hit and miss, but it's worth a drive out there if you're in need of 3/4" drive pieces...when I spoke with the guy at the counter about a few things, the prices he quoted me were as much as 1/2 off regular retail. Not bad.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Thanks for the tip man.
I'll have to stop by the net time through there.

 

[Foxxtrot]

Thanks for the suggestion. I had seen Howes when I did some work in Gastonia a couple of years ago, but I have never ventured into the place. Now I know that I was missing a fine opportunity. This is something I must rectify, as my collection of tools has thinned out over the years after I have loaned stuff out and had "friends" live with me from time to time.

 

[TonyF]

Howe Distributing? I think Ive driven past that place a few times. I would have never thought to stop in. Thanks for the info. If I get out there anytime soon I'll try to snap some pics.

 

[jmm]

Here's another:

Tool King 2704 Freedom Drive Charlotte. Like a pawn shop that only deals in tools! Be prepared to spend some serious time browsing, though -- it's not very well organized.

This one's temporary, a Craig's List ad -- this guy's father in law just passed. He was a machinist for many years and owned 95% top line American tools, one helluva collection. Think Armstrong, Kennedy, Williams, Snap-On, Proto, etc. Better act fast! I by no means cleaned the guy out...http://charlotte.craigslist.org/tls/3435740073.html