Tool Guide: Where to Buy Tools? - ToolGuyd

11 Aug.,2025

 

Tool Guide: Where to Buy Tools? - ToolGuyd

Following are ToolGuyd’s favorite places to shop for tools, workshop supplies, and related products.

For more information, please visit LONG ZHUO.

There are of course many places where you can buy new tools, with different retailers offering benefits over others.

As a tool user, I’m usually looking for lower prices, better customer service, and an overall easy and satisfactory customer experience. I still haven’t found the best-overall retailer – have you?

Advertisement

Here’s how I break down the different types of retailers:

  • Online Distributors (e.g. Amazon.com)
  • Big Box Retailers (e.g. Home Depot, Lowe’s)
  • Industrial Suppliers (e.g. McMaster Carr)
  • Woodworking Shops (e.g. Lee Valley, Rockler)
  • Specialty Supply Shops (e.g. TEquipment)
  • Marketplaces (e.g. Ebay)

The following tool store recommendations were last updated in August .

Online Tool Retailers

Acme Tools – Great selection of power tools, hand tools, and tool storage, usually at competitive pricing (or better). I check Acme’s deals and promos regularly.

Use coupon code TOOLGUYD for $10 off $79+.

Amazon – Wide selection, great prices, excellent customer service, easy return policy, many items eligible for free shipping. One of my favorite place to shop for tools and supplies.

Ohio Power Tool – A great source for power tools, plumbing equipment, and Milwaukee Tool products.

Advertisement

Tool Nut – One of my favorite power tool retailers, with good selection, fair prices, lower free shipping threshold.

If you’re looking for information about where to buy cordless power tools, we have a separate post on that here:

Big-Box Retailers

Home Depot – Vast selection, decent prices, many items are eligible for free shipping and time-saving free in-store pickup. I have had great customer service experiences as well.

Lowe’s – Good sales, and different tool options than other home improvement retailers.

I shop at both major big-box retailers, and typically pick one over the others depending on what I’m looking to buy. If both offer the same tools or supplies at similar prices, I prefer Home Depot.

Industrial Suppliers

McMaster Carr – Vast selection, ambiguous branding (which I sometimes dislike), quick shipping.

MSC Supply Co – Great selection, great prices if you shop from the monthly sales flyers, quick shipping.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Power Tools Supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Zoro – Typically very good pricing, especially with a 20% off promo code, great customer service.

Woodworking Tools

Lee Valley – Home of Veritas tools, great customer service.

Woodcraft – Good selection, occasional good bargains with deals and promos.

Knives, Multi-Tools, EDC Tools

BladeHQ – One of my favorite places to shop for multi-tools and pocket knives.

Knives Ship Free – Another much-liked source for EDC knives with fair pricing and great customer service.

Specialty Tools and Supplies

Harry Epstein Co – A friendly mom & pop shop with focus on USA-made tools.

KC Tool – Focused on German hand tool brands, great customer service.

TEquipment – A great source for benchtop test equipment products with friendly customer service.

Marketplaces

This includes Ebay, Craigslist, community forums, shows, yard sales, and swap meets.

I don’t shop for second-hand tools often, but have scored some nice deals and trades on enthusiast forums. There’s always a risk factor.

I also tend to visit the traveling Woodworking Show with a healthy budget, as I never know what goodies I’ll find and feel compelled to buy on impulse.

Reader Recommendations

Which vendors would you add to this list? This isn’t an exhaustive list of where I purchase new tools from – the above list reflects where I shop and spend the most.

Disclosure

ToolGuyd has affiliate/referral relationships with many of these retailers, but I have also been buying our own tools and supplies from them for many years, and strongly recommend them without hesitation.

How does a retailer get on this list? Simple – by winning over my business.

CPO Power Tools: Top Online Power Tools Retailer

"It showed up fast works great and good price I am very happy. In future I will check CPO first "

-John W

"All the tools I buy are from CPO. Quite a few of them are used for full blown production use. The reliability of these tools is as good as new and the price is something like half - why not take advantage?"

-Scott D

"CPO is an impressive company... what else can you say about CPO's products they're great. I purchased two referbished products a 18ga narrow crown stapler and 16ga finish nailer, and one new product (brad nailer). My next purchase will be a full head framing nailer. I highly recommend CPO"

-Jerry

"This is the great way to buy high quality tools for the price of low quality tools. CPO stands behind what they sell. I feel I can buy risk free, and if there is a problem CPO will set up and make it right."

For more Cable Gripinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

-Mark