i have purchased hard to find tools from them on a regular basis..things like visegrip flanging tools, hog ring pliers and ISO bubble flare kits....there prices are steep but the quality is really good and it shows up a couple of days later....so if can't find it locally and they have it i will order from them.
I've not bought from Eastwood as I perceive them as being overpriced. I do metal finishing mostly for art work and can buy about anything they have for less elsewhere including ebay. Metal finishing dics (2") are about forty bucks a box of 100 plus shipping if you hunt on ebay. Buffing wheels and compounds are less on ebay also. I have a dozen Harbor Freight die grinders set up with different burrrs, sanding discs and metal finishing disks. HF has right angle die grinders on sale this month.
Eastwood is a "for profit" company--not a charity organization. I have had good luck with anything I ever bought from them. Yeah, they are expensive, but they give great mail order service, and for all of us that live in rural areas (read---little hick towns) we don't always have access to a "Harbour Freight" or the equivalent.
Where is the best place to buy Martin tools (hammers and dollies) on line. I know Eastwood carries them, but I've seen them cheaper. Just can't find where right now.
man im a young kid just out of college looking for a job and i actually work at harbor freight i have for almost 5 years now and depending what you buy alot of our tools arnt to bad and the air tools are so cheap if it brakes toss it and buy another one you can but 10 of our die grinders for what you might pay for a single snap on the only thing i wouldnt but is an air compressor we have more problems with those then anything but some of it is the people that buy them are no smarter then the compressor jeff
I have a recently acquired cabinet beadblaster from Harbor Freight and am loving every minute of it...haven't found a damned thing wrong with it yet except for the wobbly stamped sheetmetal legs, and that's easily fixed and the "name brand" cabinet we have at work has the same problem...just need a bigger compressor now to handle all the fun I'm having with it...hahaha
I order stuff once in a blue moon from Eastwood. The closest Harbor Freight is 70 miles away, but , like most of you I like to look through their book just to see what's out there. I've never had any trouble with anything I bought from them and they always have the stuff in stock - so I would say they're a good outfit - expensive but honest.
I buy tools from Harbor Freight and Eastwood, with H/F you know your getting China, with Eastwood you may be. In all fairness to Eastwood they are charging for the service of putting all the tools you need for this hobby in one place, without searching. If you don't need that service you can always shop around and get a better price. But they have always stood behind their products for me and shipped it to me when they said they would. I'll most likely buy from both again.
These guys are local for me, but do ship: http://www.woodwardfab.com Not as expensive as Eastwood, but nice quality stuff(so far). I have one of their 48" box/Pan break and a bead roller and so far so good. Worth checking out anyway.
Thanks a lot for all the info guys! I want to buy a bead blaster (10 gallon tank one), some vice grips and a few other things. Also one of you guys said your from San Bernardino (I am guessing so since you said San Berdoo), where exactly at in San Bernardino? I used to live there 5 years ago near the Glen Helen and Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore there on the hills. I sure miss that place.
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