craft supplies?

dubtom

Anyone used Craftsupplies in the UK for ordering pen kits and mandrels etc. I ordered some stuff last week on line and got an email yesterday asking for 13 quid postage.It's beyond me why they didn't take the postage with the order price from my visa at the time.So I don't know what will happen with the order now, just incase can anyone reccomend anywhere else to get pen stuff.

Alun

I've got the catalogue, but have never ordered from them myself. I have seen some less than complimentary remarks about their US operation, but otherwise I can't really help you.

Turners Retreat do pen kits and mandrels (http://www.turners-retreat.co.uk/acatalog/Accessories.html), and also supply Richard Gough in Mary Street, so it might be worth calling him to see what he has in stock.

KPG

Hi Dubtom,
I use www.woodturningz.com. Postage is not too bad and they are very easy to deal with. I have found that postage from the UK has gone mad to Ireland. I bought some wood in the North and it was half the price to send it to Eng (to my sister) than have it posted here figure that !!!

dubtom

KPG wrote:

Hi Dubtom,
I use www.woodturningz.com. Postage is not too bad and they are very easy to deal with. I have found that postage from the UK has gone mad to Ireland. I bought some wood in the North and it was half the price to send it to Eng (to my sister) than have it posted here figure that !!!

Thanks KPG,unfortunatly you have to pay through paypal with that crowd, I don't use it. I clicked on a pen just to see what general postage would be, $2.00 for the pen kit, $4.05 post and 95c insurance and that was to the states:eek: I dread to think what a bulky..ish order would be to Ireland.
It seems to be the most expensive part of pen making, craft charged me 13 sterling for a wee box,turners retreat quoted the same for a smaller box.At least though they don't charge what Gough does for a kit,10 quid for one pen kit he's asking.

ednwireland

i use http://www.axminster.co.uk for mandrels and pen kits and glues and finshes (just bought some safety specs ) never been charged postage yet

KPG

dubtom wrote:

Thanks KPG,unfortunatly you have to pay through paypal with that crowd, I don't use it. I clicked on a pen just to see what general postage would be, $2.00 for the pen kit, $4.05 post and 95c insurance and that was to the states:eek: I dread to think what a bulky..ish order would be to Ireland.
It seems to be the most expensive part of pen making, craft charged me 13 sterling for a wee box,turners retreat quoted the same for a smaller box.At least though they don't charge what Gough does for a kit,10 quid for one pen kit he's asking.

I pay through my visa card and as always the web site isn't good for things like working out postage because the charge me by weight. I got 12 different size boxes and 12 pen kits and it cost me $35. All arrived in 5 days:)

carpainter

I purchased some stuff from Axminster, including a heavy No. 7 jointer and some clamps and they only charged £10 shipping, which I thought was reasonable considering the weight- probably about 12lbs in total.

dubtom

I ordered some stuff on friday from axminster, free shipping and apartently shipped that night.Thanks for the replies all.

Got my stuff today included lots of liturture which must have tripled the weight.Craft could learn a thing or two from axminster.

KPG

dubtom how much did you order because I went in aand ordered a total of 35stg and they are charging me 10stg shipping. I asked if the order was over 45stg would shipping be free and I got a no. So unless it's over 1.5kg maybe it a mistake

dubtom

I ordered a number of pen kits and a their own brand moister meter, total came to about 52 or 3. It says on their web site orders over 45 quid are postage free up to a 1.5 Kg then they charge a tenner.

KPG

Yea just got a reply 1.8kg:rolleyes:

Fingalian

I ordered some stuff from Axminister on Monday and received it yesterday with no postage costs and what about that 600 page catalogue, Tool Porn or what!!

carpainter

The catalogue sure is "Tool Porn" alright- my wife doesn't like to see me reading it!

MT

Do any of you guys ever buy stuff - like old hand tools etc. - from ebay? The reason I ask is do any of you know of good sellers in Ireland? Also, what's postage generally like to the North? Is it similar to UK rates?

Ps, is it possible to do a search from your location on ebay.ie as there are no postcodes in the Republic? Is there some other method?

carpainter

I've often toyed with the idea of buying an old Stanley on ebay but the postage costs from Britain are prohibitive for all but the lightest or most expensive planes.

dubtom

MT wrote:

Do any of you guys ever buy stuff - like old hand tools etc. - from ebay? The reason I ask is do any of you know of good sellers in Ireland? Also, what's postage generally like to the North? Is it similar to UK rates?

Ps, is it possible to do a search from your location on ebay.ie as there are no postcodes in the Republic? Is there some other method?

You can do a search of within a milage range of your location, ie 100 miles of Dublin on ebay.Just down to luck if you get a local though. If your looking for something specific check out the adds in the woodworking mags, always a lot of adds for old tool suppliers. I went to ally pally a couple of years ago to a woodworking show, hundreds of stalls selling everything you would ever want. I think their is a show coming up in Febuary next year.
http://www.alexandrapalace.com/woodworking07.htm

Stanirish

dubtom wrote:

Anyone used Craftsupplies in the UK for ordering pen kits and mandrels etc. I ordered some stuff last week on line and got an email yesterday asking for 13 quid postage.It's beyond me why they didn't take the postage with the order price from my visa at the time.So I don't know what will happen with the order now, just incase can anyone reccomend anywhere else to get pen stuff.

Just a quick reply, have got mandrels, 7mm spacers, pen blanks, mt1 and mt2 holders, pen making kits, letter opener kits, key ring kits and all in stock at the shop if anyone looking for them - ps Robert Sorby doing demo down there to on Dec 7th if anyone feels like a trip to donegal !! feel free to e-mail me on whraitt@eircom.net if you looking for anything.

Stanirish

Stanirish wrote:

Just a quick reply, have got mandrels, 7mm spacers, pen blanks, mt1 and mt2 holders, pen making kits, letter opener kits, key ring kits and all in stock at the shop if anyone looking for them - ps Robert Sorby doing demo down there to on Dec 7th if anyone feels like a trip to donegal !! feel free to e-mail me on whraitt@eircom.net if you looking for anything.

PS - if you don;t get me at shop on whraitt@eircom.net - house e-mail is whraitt@indigo.ie

geofftulip

this is a common problem when ordering from england the postage costs make the stuff way too dear - in the past i have ordered stuff in bulk and passed it on to local woodturners at the discounted rates - things like pen kits from woodturningz.com , lamp fittings, sandpaper rolls and discs - it means we share the postage costs and everyone comes out on top.
for those in the south unfortunatly the postage costs from the north are still high so the savings would be smaller.

if you are not a member of
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irelandwoodturners/
may i suggest you join - post a message on the site when it is time to order stuff - there will always be someone willing to go in with you and share the postage - and you always get a better price when you order in multiples or spend more.

if you use the above items drop me a message - i will be odering some of the stuff in the new year if you want to be included......