First time at Woodcraft today!

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USAFVET98

USAFVET98

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
1,282
Location
Hawley, Pennsylvania
I had my first woodcraft experience today. It is in Allentown which is about 2 hours from my house, but I had to go to the VA hospital today anyway. I enjoyed it. I think they are a little pricey but at least I could look through and handle anything I might buy. You could get lost in that store just by the kits alone. Anyway, as I would go to them for all of my turning needs (thats what the IAP vendors are for), I will go there to look around, or to pick something up in a pinch including acrylic blanks.

Just thought I would share.
 
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Woodcraft is a lot of fun... It is really to close to my house, 7.3 miles. I started wondering around so much that I knew where most of the items were located. Then as a customer, I would help other customers find and get what they needed. Finally I just got a part time job there, 3-4 days a week. LOL! Now I am there even more. At least I get to drool over all the really cools stuff regularly. LOL!
 
Crashmph said:
Woodcraft is a lot of fun... It is really to close to my house, 7.3 miles. I started wondering around so much that I knew where most of the items were located. Then as a customer, I would help other customers find and get what they needed. Finally I just got a part time job there, 3-4 days a week. LOL! Now I am there even more. At least I get to drool over all the really cools stuff regularly. LOL!
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What kind of discount does an employee get on merchandise and classes?
 
Good thing you put that disclaimer in about buying from the IAP vendors. Otherwise, it would be...................well let's just say, you would be nibless!!!!:ghost::biggrin:
 
Sign up for their brochures and emails that get sent out. They occasionally have sales that make it worth buying stuff. Although not sure about driving 2 hours to save 10 or 15% is worth it. Maybe if they coincide with your next trip to the VA.
 
isn't it just like a candy store. I have one store 1 hour away and another 1 hour and 15 minutes away. yeah they might be a little pricey, but they carry things that a turner needs. (its the only place I can find anchorseal)
 
Bruce,
Thats what I was thinking. If I am going to be closer to there anyway, then I will stop in with a coupon even if it is just to look around. It's nice to be able to handle new tools to get a feel for them.

fiferb said:
Sign up for their brochures and emails that get sent out. They occasionally have sales that make it worth buying stuff. Although not sure about driving 2 hours to save 10 or 15% is worth it. Maybe if they coincide with your next trip to the VA.
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I've got a Woodcraft about twenty minutes from the house, and a Rockler that's about thirty minutes from the house. Both stores have great staff and management. Pricier than the online suppliers, but instant gratification when needed :biggrin:. I'm on Rockler's email list, and get a 15% off coupon just about every week. And every now and again they send me a $10 gift card, probably tracking the amount of store purchases I make. Woodcraft is similar, but not near as often :frown:....

Mike
 
Both Rockler and Woodcraft are great stores. Like anywhere else you need to price shop. Although both are generally higher price than the online suppliers sometimes that are very close. Pen kits are a good example. Most are a bit high but some of the kits are the same price as on line suppliers or very close. Some things areactually a very good price. I have a 1/2" Fingernail Woodriver Bowl Gouge (Woodcrafts own brand) that I am very, very happy with. It cost me about 1/2 what a Sorby would have.

Also, the employees are extremely helpful. When I first started making pens I would take each new one with me and they would examine it, point out flaws that sometimes I didn't even see and tell me how to avoid them next time. They really helped me a lot.
 
Despite the higher prices, I like Woodcraft and Rockler. Although I don't get a chance to go there very often since the closest one is about 4 hours away. In my mind, slightly higher prices are to be expected at a "brick and mortar" non-mega store, that's the price one pays for convenience and availability.

To be honest, it was Rockler that got me started on "this thing we do". I was in there picking up something for a non pen related project when I saw their pen display and supplies. I inquired with one of the employees what it was all about, and he eventually handed me their starter kit that had a mandrel, drill bit, slimline kits, bushings, some exotic blanks, and CA... It was all from there (insert your favorite drug dealer/addict analogy here).
 
mokol said:
there mail order service is great, also
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Yes, I just ordered one of their last 8" two-speed bench grinders at a nice discount. Internet sale only. Delivered to me for about $101.

Three store here in Colo and the newest is in Loveland about an hour away. Can't wait to use my father's day coupon!
 
My Wood Craft is about 25 minutes away and I visit often....for new bushings or that odd kit I need to finish an order. Lately I've been watching the sales and when they run pens kits or blanks on sale I usually buy then. I stock up on blanks none of our online suppliers have, take advantage of the + 20 discounts and save shipping. I usually come out a little cheaper than "normal" online prices. The downside there's usually no more than 4 or so of any one blank.
 
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