DIY Tools

eric_amanda · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject: DIY Tools

Eric was wondering what the availability is of DIY Tools is in NZ.

Is there such a place as B&Q or an equivalent?

Are tools as cheap as you can buy here in the UK?

Reason for asking, he broke his circular saw last week and wonders whether to replace it now or wait? (He is a bit of a DIY Freak and I think he will miss B&Q as much as I will Next!!)

Thank you in advance

Amanda

eric_amanda · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:36 pm Post subject:

Sorry, he has just asked me to ask also, will he be able to get gas for his MIG Welder?

Are plumbing fittings the same?

Amanda

Tanya · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 12:15 am Post subject:

Hi Amanda

Have you looked on the Mitre 10 website??

www.mitre10.co.nz

185mm B&D Circular saw is $NZD 97.98 incl GST. There are other brands on the site as well. Can't be sure that this is the cheapest shop, but its a fair average comparison.

Hope this helps

Tanya

Raeven · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 1:14 am Post subject:

Hi, Eric,

I don't know how tool prices compare between the UK and NZ, but between the US and NZ, tool prices in NZ are VERY expensive. I thought my husband was having a heart attack, but it turned out he was just browsing the web for tools in NZ! He has decided to bring EVERYTHING, even though he will have to run them all off a gas compressor (he's bringing the compressor, too). He also idly toyed with the idea of bringing in a containerload of tools to sell in NZ.. figured the profit margin it would pay for our transport!

All the best, Rae

eric_amanda · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:02 am Post subject:

Thank you both for your responses.

Rae, I think your husband and Eric would get on just fine. Eric is on his way to B&Q (Largest DIY Retail company in the UK) to stock up on as many power tools and accessories for his compressor as poss!

Boys and their toys!

I think we may just need a full container after all!!

Raeven · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:54 am Post subject:

LOL, Amanda, they could start their own goofy NZ version of This Old House! Actually, I don't wish to give Stephen any such notions...

Sounds like you WILL need that full container... shocking how much space all those things take up, and of course then the new abode will have to have a workshop large enough to accommodate them all... oi.

Take care, Rae

goldwheels · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:20 pm Post subject:

Hi Raeven
Suspose you would have to get rid of all your electrical stuff due to the voltage difference, being from USA and appliances being 110V. Or would you bring over plenty of transformers?
Theres also a place called Place Makers which is another DIY place. I found tools here are around the same price here as in the UK. Where in the UK tax on goods is 17.5% here it is 12% which can make a big difference when buying expensive items. If you shop around you can get good deals as all the shop are competing with each other and will always better their rivals, especially if your paying cash. In the UK you can go into several DIY shops and for a £100 item there might only be a difference of 5p, and they won't budge of the price. Note the pound sign any one coming from the UK make sure you bring your key board as the NZ ones don't have it on.
They also have Black & Decker here as well.

Raeven · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 2:30 am Post subject:

Hi, goldwheels (love the avatar, btw!),

My husband spent a couple of intensive days reviewing NZ tool sites, and I wish I could get him to post his findings -- I'll work on that.

In addition to the compressor, Steve is planning to bring a gas-driven generator from here to run his electric power tools. He has a LOT of electric power tools and doesn't feel it would be practical to try and replace them all in NZ.

I thank you very much for the information re Place Makers and successful shopping practices in NZ. No doubt things will need replacing, so sooner or later he'll be meandering around the tool shops and making trouble! His preferred brands seem to be DeWalt and Milwaukee.

I'm sure as time goes on, he'll have 2 full collections... that's my prediction, anyway!

All the best, Rae

debkiwi · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 1:26 pm Post subject:

My husband, ex-USA, mechanic and builder, was also well-tooled ... I joked that he organized a 40ft container for the motorbikes and tools and kindly let me fill the gaps with a few household items :-).

Handy types be warned though ... while he loves NZ any project that requires additional tools/supplies/parts (available in the US in a one-stop-shop i.e. Home Depot) is inevitably an experience that makes him want to pack his backs and head "home".

I'll get him to "download" the issues (again!) that he's run into ... I want to say one of them has something to do with imperial vs metric measurements and tools ... and another is the whole "Yup we can order that for ya mate - it won't take more than a week" issue ... he's so used to walking into a shop and walking out with what he needs.

The motorcycle parts (motocross) have also been $$ ... the smaller and more likely they are to break, the more expensive they seem to be ... fortunately, this is easily offset by the free/almost free places to ride.

Debbie

Raeven · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 4:40 pm Post subject:

Hi, Deb!!

Gawd, that's funny... I read your post to Steve and he was chuckling about how NZ is like one of the places in the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou? -- 2 weeks away from purty near ever'where!! Love it and hate it for all the same reasons, I guess.

Fortunately, Steve's the one in the household who does all the frustrating DIY projects.. I won't have to cope with it, and he's already used to NZ time! Although... he works at Home Depot here now... it will be interesting to see how much that experience has changed him with respect to his expectations for prompt service and availability of goods.

Thanks again for sharing! - Rae

eric_amanda · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:09 am Post subject:

He's at it again.......

Plumbing components this time.

Are the pipes/fittings/joints etc the same as we use here in the UK? or should he not bother bringing his plumbing bits!!

Boys & their tools!

Amanda

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

I went through the same concerns but I have found that things are as cheap or cheaper than the UK. The advantage of buying in NZ is that they are guaranteed and you will have no trouble getting them repaired or serviced!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing that they should bring is a good supply of consumable items e.g. I can't find staples for my electric staple gun....anybody want to bring me some over??????

Raeven · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:50 am Post subject:

Hi, karl,

You got it. We'll bring some over for you, if you don't mind waiting till mid-September or so!! Thanks for mentioning it.. that's not something Steve would EVER have thought about bringing!!

How many and what size?

All the best, Rae

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:59 am Post subject:

Hi Rae and thanks....you're a diamond! First bridge to cross is whether you have a make called RAPESCO over there...the gun was purchased in the UK!! I,m off my feet at the mo with an injured knee joint so cant immediately get the other info but will keep you posted. No hurry it's just that some thongs you forget before you come out and this was mine! Mr. Green

karltsmith · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 9:31 am Post subject:

Hi Rae....guess what.....just found a Rapesco dealer..the only one in NZ and hes only 2 miles away on the North Shore in Milford!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks anyway!!!!!!!!! Clapping