Hello,
I am looking for local sources of both WW tools (machine and hand) and wood, for Philly area. Most of what I’ve done is not impressive, even for a hobbiest. Mostly home repair/remodel related, nothing special though. But I would like to get more into “real” woodworking, and using “real” supplies and suppliers.
I’m in the Northeast, near Cottman & the Boulevard. Looking mainly for places where I can more or less drop in & browse, and not have to actually plan a day trip, but I also understand there’s some good sources towards Chester county & Amish country. Know they exist, if not exact names/locations. Would like to hear anything in a reasonable drive distance. Despite born & raised in Philly, you can safely assume all I know of S. Jersey is how to get to the shore. 🙂
For wood, I’d generally be looking for run of the mill (no pun intended) domestic hardwoods, occasional exotic. I don’t have planer or jointer (yet), so surfaced sources would be preferred, but I’m open to ideas. Also where to get baltic birch and decent sheet goods? As I said, used some wood from HD, and to some extent wood’s wood, but I’m not thrilled with what they have. Looking for more variety in size (like anything over 3/4) and species.
For tools, I’ve been to WWWhse in Horsham, know of Woodcraft in Downingtown (liked the Bensalem store before it closed), and know of MLCS/Penn State on Philmont Ave. Not to mention the usual HD/Lowe’s. Also, any ideas for picking up used machinery local? I heard MLCS has a used tool dept., but have not confirmed nor been there. Have not seen many ads, maybe not looking in the right places though. I figure there’s got to be more.
I understand that just about anything can be had through mail order/internet. Already get Rockler, Lee Valley, WW Supply, & the usual catalogs. But I’d like to be able to put hands on before purchase, at least for some things.
TIA,
Sean
If everything seems to be going well, you’ve obviously overlooked something.
Replies
I can recommend Willard Brothers for wood . It is located a few miles north of Trenton, NJ about a mile or two off of Route 1. Its a very friendly place and they have a very good supply of domestic hardwoods, a variety of exotics, a good selection of thick free form slabs and sheet goods. http://www.willardbrothers.net/home.htm
Hi Mr. Pita,
Hardwoods: Groff & Groff, and Hearne Hardwoods, both in Southern Chester County, are excellent for wood. Groff is open Sat at 7 am, till noon (or longer if you're there and shopping). They will joint and surface, for a small price. They also have a wide belt sander, I assume for a price. I like Groiff better for domestics, and the exotics carried by Hearne are staggering, but I use few of these. I heard that Hearne has, or is getting, a veneer slicer that will do very large logs (60"?). He has a 48" helical head planer. Both have 800 numbers.
Sheet goods: try a local lumber yard, who has the ability to order from Fess and Hall (SP?), which carries all sorts of sheet goods, including baltic birch in the 5x5 size. I try to keep some 3, 6 & 12 MM on hand for jigs, etc. Wholesale price on the 12mm is 60 cnets a foot; $15/sheet. I have a way to buy from them without a middleman, but onece when I asked at a yard, got a price of $1/ft for the 12mm, so that was their mark-up I guess. I know they have apple ply, in 4x8 sheets, and I think the price is $290 a sheet. I have never seen or used this, but it must be quite special. I use very few man made wood products. F&H also carries all types of caninet veneer ply.
(Richard?) Byrne in West Chester carries all lines of power and hand tools, and also carries some used machinery. Not sure about weekend hours. He has good prices on Besseys; might be a drop high on some other lines. The staff there is knowledgable. Much of the used machinery is 3 phase, and some is industrial sized. He has (or had) a nice Unipoint Northfield RAS for reasonable, if you want a 16 - 20" RAS, and a very nice old Delta 14" RAS.
In Center City, National Hardware just closed about a month ago, and that is a loss to the community.
Good luck.
Alan
You can get the basic hardwoods in lots of different places, just look in the phone book.
There's a place in Sicklerville, NJ called Exotic Hardwoods that sells. . . .exotic hardwoods.
There's another place in Oxford that sells lots of different kinds of woods, some exotic, but that's a long drive for you. If you want it, I'll try to dig up the name and number.
No great places for tools that I've come up with. The WWWHouse near me closed because they lost their lease. I've also tried unsucessfully to find a local reliable source of used tools. Let me know if you find something. I get most of my tools through the mail these days.
Thanks for the info so far. Groff and Hearne are two that I saw mentioned in a quick trip through the search engine here.
Now for a shameless self-bump because I know there's other Philly guys who post here. :)If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
yep, you can try Bill Lucas on rte 38 By McGuire AFB in Pemberton for wood. he has a huge barn full of oak, pine, cherry, and walnut. He even has some boards that are over 2 feet wide and straight as an arrow. Oak 2 bucks a bd ft, cherry 3 and walnut 4 or 5. need some 16/4 wood??? He's got it!
Just down the road from him a mile or so is Diamond M lumber yard too!
Cruising down 42 on your way "down the shore" (I'm not a local, but a transplant), there is a guy that will custom saw wood for you. Mostly oak i think. He's located right behind the bradbury vault company. It's only an exit or two past teh deptford mall exit, but I can't for the life of me remember what exit it is. Its at the school on the south bound lanes (ITT or camden county college. Orange roof i think).
I buy most of my stuff at lowes or get it used. They have very good prices, and I will occasionally pick up things that customers buy and use once and return. I bought my TS that way $70 for a delta 36-600 table saw. It works great so far!
Probably 20 minutes from where I live but I haven't heard of it. What's Lucas's place called?
It's called bill lucas workshop. Look for the sign out front. Thats the only way you will know it's there. Good luck looking at his million plus bd ft of lumber. This place is just gigantic!!!!
Thanks.
Hi Pain,
Here's a good one that hasn't been suggested yet. Try Woodworkers Haven on James Way.........in ....I think Lower Southampton. It's not a chain, and its located in a strip building in a light industrial setting. Its just east of County Line Road..........North of the Turnpike. Its basically at the northeast corner of James Way and County Line road. Relatively close to you I expect. I used to go to the Bensalem Woodcraft and now get out to Downingtown once and a while, but WW Haven really surprised me with a great selection. They also have wood, although its a little pricier than sawmill prices. Really nice proprietors too.
Mike
Hi Sean
I live in Bensalemand there is a few good places around the area. Woodworkers Haven is pretty good. Take County Line Road west tilyou get to County Line Rd, Go to the next light anf make a right and then a quick left. They are right next to the Pittsburg paint store. If you go norht about another 2-3 miles Woodworkers Warehouse is in a small shopping center on the right just above York road.
I have seen the used machinery in MLCS and its nothing to brag about. Pretty beat stuff if you ask me. They have some wood there and the prices aren't that bad.
Re-tool in Oxford Valley is on Business rt 1 past Reedmans and the OVM. First light past the mall is Oxford Valley Road , they are in the shopping center on the right just past the light. Most of my pine, oak, and maple I get at HD, but there is a nice little lumber yard (CBM) on Bristol Rd. just west of the Neshimany Mall. The entrance is right before the old stone RR bridge where SEPTA just had that de-railing.
Dave in Pa.
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