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Tool/wood shops I should visit in the US
- Thread starter Flying B
- Start date
thought I'd better check. I'm sure they won't mind, it sounds like that's where all the cool stuff is anyway.
If you end up in Philadelphia, a friend of mine owns a good exotic wood shop in the neighborhood, which is oriented more to flooring but has very high quality pieces that could be used for other purposes. He always has lots of rosewood, for example. He totally geeks out on the stuff. If you wanted something specific, he could probably get it.
atozexotichardwoods.com
atozexotichardwoods.com
Note: People from Pennsylvania will often say the words "Pee-Ay" instead of saying Pennsylvania.
I assume you are aware that Sadowsky is in NYC, but I don't believe the shop is open to tours.
That said, it's too bad you're not going to Maine two places that come to mind would be the Lie-Nielsen Tool Works and Christian Becksvoort's shop was open to visitors pre-covid.
I assume you are aware that Sadowsky is in NYC, but I don't believe the shop is open to tours.
That said, it's too bad you're not going to Maine two places that come to mind would be the Lie-Nielsen Tool Works and Christian Becksvoort's shop was open to visitors pre-covid.
fwiw, don't go buying fancy-pants timbers without looking into whether or not you can get them back to the UK. rules, restrictions, etc...
What if you find a cool tool or version of a tool that you don't normally see at home? How are they about bringing that stuff back?
It was more tools than timber I was really interested in. I doubt i would have room in the luggage for wood, except maybe a fretboard or two.
Customs will try and sting you for importing tools, but you have to be pretty unlucky to get stopped at the airport.
Customs will try and sting you for importing tools, but you have to be pretty unlucky to get stopped at the airport.
I brought a pound of black sand in a baggie back from Hawaii. It looked like explosives on the x-ray.
That was fun.
That was fun.
My wife collects rocks...
It was fun leaving Belfast Intl in Northern Ireland with her bread bag of rocks in her carry on.
Carry a few tools onto an airplane in checked baggage? No prob.
Try to board a one way flight a few hours after you've repotted and fertilized a bonsai, and they pull you into that special room off to the side...
Try to board a one way flight a few hours after you've repotted and fertilized a bonsai, and they pull you into that special room off to the side...
After Christmas one year my mom gave me almost an entire ham to take home. A very weird conversation with Customs and Immigration ensued.
fretboards are wood. if that wood comes under Cites directives, you'll be leaving it behind. good luck explaining and proving one species of wood from another to overworked customs people.
i once crossed the US/CAN border and had my rental car "strip searched" by Canadian border people because i was a toolmaker at the time and they were concerned about "tools" being brought into Can. i had to put the thing back together 4 hours later. i suspect they needed to look busy for half a shift doing busy work.
i once crossed the US/CAN border and had my rental car "strip searched" by Canadian border people because i was a toolmaker at the time and they were concerned about "tools" being brought into Can. i had to put the thing back together 4 hours later. i suspect they needed to look busy for half a shift doing busy work.
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If you're coming through Atlanta (Georgia), I can recommend this shop:
Highland Woodworking Tools
A good segment of their clientele are wood-turners, but there are also instrument makers' materials on offer. Either way, it's a long-standing independent shop with good people working there who provide excellent service. I have no doubt you'll be warmly welcomed.
Highland Woodworking Tools
A good segment of their clientele are wood-turners, but there are also instrument makers' materials on offer. Either way, it's a long-standing independent shop with good people working there who provide excellent service. I have no doubt you'll be warmly welcomed.
If you're coming through Atlanta (Georgia), I can recommend this shop:
Highland Woodworking Tools
A good segment of their clientele are wood-turners, but there are also instrument makers' materials on offer. Either way, it's a long-standing independent shop with good people working there who provide excellent service. I have no doubt you'll be warmly welcomed.
It's only an 850 mile road trip!
