Texas Tools

Heyseed · May 4, 2017

Flying to San Antonio to do some woodwork for an old friend. Fixing up a new (old) home. Can only bring some small tools with me and was looking at options for cheap (read inexpensive)power tools for this job. I see they have Harbor Freight, Lowe's and Home Depot stores there. Are there other low price choices in that area? I checked some rental places and none of the ones I called rent much in the way of woodworking tools. I buy quality tool for my job, but these will only have to last a couple weeks and I'm leaving them there for the homeowner. That means they will hardly ever be used again.

dr sportster · May 4, 2017

Harbor -Freight

Steve@Advance · May 4, 2017

If you have time, you could buy them used on Ebay, have them shipped there.

jeffcat · May 4, 2017

Agree, Harbor freight has almost any tool you can think of. Don't go cheep and buy their better models. When done just box them up and ship them to yourself. Fastenall has very cheep shipping. Problem solved.

Mexico46958 · May 4, 2017

Search the area Craigslist. Have found some good buys for our son when visiting.

kcm.MN · May 4, 2017

If you're a veteran, you might consider trying to do some of your work on one of the local base wood shops. I was stationed at Randolph, and back then a guy named Leon ran it. Great guy!! Anyway, whoever is running the shop now should know of some people who might be willing to rent/loan you some tools, or where to go to get what you're looking for. Don't think the wood shop can as the tools would have to leave the base, but could always ask about that as well.

Wow, seems things have changed quite a bit since then! *lol* They've got lots of stuff that we didn't have back then. And now it all falls under one roof; the Community Services Mall. The phone number there if you're interested is 210-652-5142.

rrlund · May 4, 2017

Is there a pawn shop in the area?

Married2Allis · May 4, 2017

Well I would bet that Harbor Freight won't have all of the wood working tools you will find at Lowe's or Home Depot. And you can shop for them online and then have them shipped to the store where you are going.

rustyfarmall · May 4, 2017

Either Lowe's or Home Depot. Your other option is to forget flying. Just load up the tools you already own and drive. Everything considered, probably wouldn't take much longer, and you can start work right away instead of going shopping first.

Texas Cowboy · May 4, 2017

There are tons of pawn shops in San Antonio and the surrounding area. There is Nothern Tool and several flea markets also. Tony

FBH44 · May 4, 2017

I'd think time would be of the prime concern and if it was me, I would not want to waste time and drive all over San Anton trying to scope out some cheap tools. Me, I'd just go to Sears or Ace or some similar store, and buy cheap Craftsman or Companion type new tools. That way you would not be hasseling with worn out tools, trying to repair worn-out old beat-up discarded tools. I assume you're talking about cheap table saws, chop saws, etc. Your drills and Skilsaw you can ship.

Gchase24 · May 4, 2017

There may be a local ace or hardware store that will rent exactly what your needing.Our local ace has a rental department.

Texasmark1 · May 4, 2017

Home Depot here does too and maybe one in SA also.

Heyseed · May 5, 2017

Thanks for all the responses. I will shop the Harbor Freight and Box stores when I get there. I won't have time to check pawn shops etc. Thanks for the shipping tip Rusty, I didn't know Fastenal did shipping. I wish I was driving out and could bring my tools, but it is a two day drive from here. Twenty four hours, I'm not 18 anymore. I did a job in Rapid City last year and did drive, but had the time and made a road trip out of it. Looking forward to this job, it will be a lot of work, but after hours I get to sample the local fare.

Married2Allis · May 5, 2017

One more thought ... some tools you won't want to go cheap on and the only way to find out is to buy it and try it unless you look at reviews (and sometimes reviews are misleading). If you are out to buy a sliding compound miter saw and expect a precision cut with matching angles, you won't get it by going to Sears and buying their $150 saw. It won't cut like a $400 Makita.

1948CaseVAI · May 5, 2017

I would ship my own tools there in advance.

kcm.MN · May 5, 2017

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but depending on how long you're staying, you could also make a stop at a local home center there when completed and sell the whole lot of tools to someone on the cheap - recoup a good part of your temporary tool investment.

When my Dad was in California with cancer therapy, I was trying to make a gizmo to help him move around in the bed there. His health worsened so quickly that the project never got finished. Ended up taking one crappy tool back for a refund, but then also had the idea to just give the small amount of lumber away. So, I put a FREE sign on a cart in the parking lot with the lumber & scraps. The first few people just walked by with a puzzled look on their face. Then someone finally took the two 8' 2x4's. Wasn't long after that the scraps were snatched up as well. Couldn't exactly carry that stuff on a plane for the trip home!

Maybe the person you're doing the work for would even be willing to hold onto the tools until they sell as a group, like on Craigslist, then could send you the money.

Texas Tools

Heyseed

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dr sportster

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Steve@Advance

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jeffcat

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Mexico46958

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kcm.MN

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rrlund

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Married2Allis

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rustyfarmall

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Texas Cowboy

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FBH44

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Gchase24

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Texasmark1

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Heyseed

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Married2Allis

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1948CaseVAI

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kcm.MN

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