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Woodcraft Store

4K views 24 replies 20 participants last post by  mski 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am eating some humble pie. Awhile back I wrote something on here to the efect that it was expensive shoping at Woodcraft. I take that all back. They were there and had what I need when my regular favorite store did not have what I wanted. I am now a dedicated Woodcraft fan. I will still shop around but my first stop will always be Woodcraft. "Big Thanks to the staff at the Appelton WI Woodcraft store for having the materials I needed at a great price. THanks again.
 
#2 ·
I was just at my WC store today(35 miles one way,Clearwater Fl.) I was there not long ago to buy some Oslund BS blades on sale. Checked online was supposed to have them, got there, they didn't. The guy said let me sell you a Timberwolf and I will discount it. Let's just say I'm a Timberwolf fan forever. He didn't have to, the online site has a disclaimer that you should call first but as far as I'm concerned they treated me right. Yes there are things they are pricey on but sometimes that isn't always a deciding factor.CS goes a long way with me.
The people in this store are very helpfull and appear to be very knowledgeable. Much better than the store in Columbus Ohio with the woman that followed you all over the store. She succeeded in losing my business and I drove across town to WoodWerks.
 
#3 ·
They are nice and knowledgeable at my local woodcraft. If you can catch an item on sale, they are in line with most people on cost. Plus you can leave there with it, a big plus in my book. Waiting on the delivery is like a kid waiting on Christmas, painful. I bought my bandsaw from them, and too many other things to mention. I would however, not buy lumber there. Man is it expensive.
 
#4 ·
I have dealt with Woodcraft stores from Loveland Colorado to Austin Texas. I have found that most of the personnel working at them are accomplished woodworkers and very knowledgeable of the products they sell. Try asking a employee at Lowes or Home Depot for brushes for a 4000 dremel and they will send you to lawn and garden to look at push brooms! When I need advice on tools and equipment I like to deal with professional woodworkers who use equipment that lasts longer than a month. Sometimes it may mean saving up for awhile to be able to buy another pfeil chisel but it has always been worth it. Yes their woods are higher but we use a wide variety of exotics that are waxed, sealed and processed better than most. No I don't work for them but I wouldn't mind having them for a second home!
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
Being in Canada; WoodCraft is not a usual stop on my shopping route…... (There is no WoodCrafts in Canada) However, from time to time the wife does like to go over the boarder to Buffalo and I often offer to drive her so I can stop in at the WC there. I have always found the store to be well staffed and they usually have a good inventory…... I even bought some turning tools there once. Wish we had one here in Ontario.
 
#6 ·
First the disclaimer…. I am not an employee but I teach woodworking classes at the West Michigan Woodcraft store, we refer to it as the Grand Rapids Woodcraft. It is a nice clean, well organized, well stocked store with knowledgeable employees. Most are woodworkers so when you ask for a up cut spiral router bit, they will get you one, not just take you to the router bit case and say "you can find it here."
I don't think that it would be fair for me to compare the big box stores and Woodcraft because Woodcraft is focused on woodworkers and their needs. The big box store sells everything from angle iron to wood screws and I would not ask them for advice on a router table or go looking for plumbing advice at Woodcraft.
Keith
 
#7 ·
I've shopped in three. The one in Albuquerque is, by far, the best. The other two were under stocked and employed absolute dunces who couldn't have cared less about my product inquiries.
I won't mention where the other ones are. But, They are closer to me than Albuquerque.
 
#11 ·
+1 for the Clearwater, FL Woodcraft. I've gotten great advice, a number of solid discounts, and really top-notch customer service.

Great bunch of guys that work there.
 
#13 ·
Woodcraft is closest my house than Rockler.So i go there more often.
The manager will give me 10% off on certain items.
But Rockler sell some things that Woodcraft dont have.

The only time I would go to he store is when I need really need it today or next week. Or else i can order online wait to be shipped.

.
 
#15 ·
Hello Rick,
That's a nice dust collector that you put together.
I teach a basic router class and router table class.
A basic woodworking class where the student builds a small wall cabinet. This class covers the basic set up and operation of the table saw, band saw, jointer, planer and drill press.
Dovetail class covering the set up and operation of the Porter Cable 4212 dovetail jig.
Keith
 
#16 ·
I think of this three ways:

Price
I think there are major differences in Rockler Vs WoodCraft. The former is a retail marketing machine. The latter, Woodcraft prices things fairly in the first place and doesn't offer steep discounts.

Service
Most of the Rockler stores are also corporately owned, while Woodcraft is a franchise business. When it comes to retailing, the shopping experience is very much about the service you receive. I've been to multiple Woodcraft franchises and seen a big range in the quality of service I received. On the other hand, I've been to 4 different Rockler stores over the years and have been very pleased with the service every time.

Products
Rockler by far has more innovative products, but I see that Woodcraft is fighting back with their WoodRiver line of products.
 
#18 ·
My two favorite woodworking stores are Woodcraft and Highland Woodworking in Atlanta. I like them equally well for different reasons. I also shop at their websites. I've shopped at both places for over 30 or 40 years and have never had a problem with either one.
 
#19 ·
I have been very happy with our Woodcraft store. Thy opened about three years ago and I get down there when I can, but being 40 miles away, that may only be once or twice a month. I have made many purchases , big and little, and taken a couple of classes, and they have always been very helpful and informative. When I ordered my Powermatic table saw from them, a few days later I got a Woodcraft flyer offering 15% off the same saw. They contacted Powermatic immediately, and both honored the discount. They also delivered the saw at no extra cost and the four of us got it down into the basement. No small feat.
My only negative, or maybe should be a concern, is that their inventory has been low in the last few months. Hopefully this is not a sign of bad things to come.
 
#20 ·
Woodcraft and Rockler are the only 2 reasonably close woodworking specific stores within a reasonable drive of my house. I have frequented both and will continue to do so. Rockler is a little more expensive and in my area carrys more hardware than tools and such. The woodcraft in seattle just expanded and the store is VERY nice. Staff there is equally nice, one day I stopped in on the chance that they would have some larger diameter dowel (above 1") All of their stock stopped at 1" but they guy helping me offered to make a few phone calls for me and put me in touch with a wood turner who could make a few dowels the diameter I wanted, I was impressed even though I didnt take him up on it.

Chris.
 
#21 ·
I have bought many things from WoodCraft over the internet. However, I was very susprised 4 weeks ago when I posted about needing help teaching Vets on how to turn pens. I stated that I needed pen kits and wood and wanted to buy acouple of mini lathes.
Jeff Forbes the President of WoodCraft sent me a PM and told me to contact him about the pen kits and blanks.
He donated 150 pen kits and 100 wood blanks and 50 acrylic blanks to help out.
Now is that an awesome business or what!!!!!

Now I have changed locations and now teach Vets, Active Duty, and Dependents how to make their own pens. So I contacted Mr. Forbes again to see if I could put some pen making supplys on layaway that I need for the classes. He sent back a message to "Make a list and give it to him"
I will not buy anything else from anyone else that I can buy there first.
They really care about helping the any Military past or present.

Thank You Mr. Forbes and thank everyone here that has donated also!!
Arlin
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've bought from Rockler and not had any problems. I too am an instructor WC, but at the Springfield, VA store and so I buy most of my 'stuff' there. The long time employees there truely want to help you with your woodworking if they can. Some can explain the molecular structure of finishes. Sorry, I just want the one-step slap it on can of finish. :) We've gotten a lot of new employees lately. They've not been there long enough to evaluate their expertise but they seem genuinely interested in helping the customer. I've taken a few things back over the years and never had a problem.
 
#24 ·
I think Knothead62, Tennwood and I are shopping at the same Woodcraft in Chattanooga, TN. I too have noticed the decline in inventory. I wanted a good set of carving chisels lately, and Woodcraft had them, but only one brand and one set. Everything else was individual pieces. And their wood selection seems to go with the sales. After a big sale, they seem to have more wood. When they go without a sale for a while, the wood supply dwindles.
Overall, though, when you need something odd and different in the woodworking world, in SE Tennessee, it's Woodcraft or the internet.
 
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