Wholesale Tool opinions please?

[wierdscience]

I am thinking of ordering a 5x6 swivel head bandsaw from them.How are they on service,warranty,shipping times etc?

[metalmagpie]

Whole lot of guys are real happy with that saw ordered from Grizzly, who has a great reputation. Nothing against or for wttool ..

metalmagpie

[Video Man]

I have bought from WT occasionally, and some of my purchases have been, while acceptable, not exactly as portrayed in their catalogue. I ordered a set of large mikes from them on the basis of their cat. photo, got something entirely different. Not bad, just not what I expected. Also got straight instead of spiral reamers once. Again, not bad, but not what I ordered. Maybe check to see if what is in the catalogue is what is actually in stock?

[gwilson]

I'd advise you to get the Grizzly. I've dealt with Wholesale Tool since 1974,and have been to their warehouse in Charlotte,N.C.. Been to Grizzly in Pa.,also. Grizzly is way,way ahead of Wholesale Tool.

When I was at Wholesale Tool,I saw a few machines sitting around that I would not have wanted to buy. I think they buy the cheapest machines.

Grizzly has an infinitely better organization for supply of spare parts,etc.,and advisors. In the past many years,I've bought several machines from them.

Many,many years ago,WT had surplus tools to sell at good prices. I think that's long gone,now,and it's all Asian.

[Gary Gill]

I buy from Wholesale Tool at the Indianapolis, IN location. The folks at the counter are knowledgeable and courteous. The quality of the Chinese merchandise is as good there as any I have ordered elsewhere. I did examine a lathe at WT and then ordered one from Grizzly.

[lazlo]

A bunch of us have posted that we've ordered items from WTools, and received a nearly empty UPS box (with the full shipping amount on the checkout invoice!) - with the remaining items listed as "Out of stock."

That said, if you have a single line item, they either have it or they don't, so it should be more straightforward

[tmc_31]

Weird science,

I have tried to buy from WT twice before and had very poor luck. The first time I ordered a gear cutter out of their online catalog. They sent me the wrong one. When I called about it they said keep it, we will refund your money but we won't be getting anymore of those gear cutters.

The next time I tried to order a adjustable lathe chuck from them. Again I ordered on line out of their catalog (which said they had the chucks and back plates in stock). The next morning I received an email from them saying the chuck I wanted was out of stock, did I want a different chuck? I called and told them that yes, I would take a larger chuck and back plate ( more money). Email the next morning said they were out of back plates and didn't expect anymore for 6 months. If you order from these people, ask them to visually confirm that what you want is truly in stock before giving them your CC#.

Wound up ordering a Gator (Fuerda) chuck and plate from Jeff at Tools4cheap.com. He sent the chuck out but the plate was back ordered.. I received the plate about 4 weeks later and was very pleased with both it and the chuck. Jeff is a stand up guy and a pleasure to deal with, I highly recommend him .

Tim

[loose nut]

At wholesale you can get the usual "quality" import or the better made name brand tools BUT with the down turn in the economy they don't seam to be stocking as much as they used to so the more popular things are always back ordered, much like many other places. Very frustrating.

I have been dealing with them for over 25 years and have for the most part been satisfied but check to make sure they have what you want in stock. I always go there first because they are the cheapest supplier, then I find someone that has what I want in stock if I can afford them.

Don't expect the glits and glamor of Grizzly, wholesale store are more bare bones no flash.Dust on the shelves but why care about it, it's the price that matters.

[wierdscience]

Okay,thanks for the replys.

I think I'm gonna go the extra bucks and get the Grizzly soon as I find out what a replacement gear set costs.I want the worm and worm wheel since I plan to keep this saw awhile.They have the parts now,but will they in ten years?Everything else on the saw is trivial to make/rebuild.

So,has anybody slapped a coolant pan and pump on theirs?

[jimwill48]

If you live close enough to one of their stores its worth while. You can find out what is in stock and if they have to order it you will pay no shipping charge to the store and no have to pony up till it gets there. Typical import quaility that you get from most places. The stores do look rough inside but who cares its a tool store.....