buying tools in america

Discussion in 'Carpenters' Talk' started by bloggy 320, May 15, 2015.

  1. bloggy 320

    bloggy 320 New Member

    Off to USA soon does anyone know if you can buy cordless tools over there and bring them back.I have got a feeling the voltage is different so they don t work over here properly .
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Charger shouldn't be a problem as a lot usually work from 100v to 240v by auto sensing the voltage.
    Could buy the tools naked,but,I think you'll come unstuck with the warranty.
     
  3. FatHands

    FatHands Well-Known Member

    Will customs be an issue on the way back? I have heard of people buying camcorders and laptop and chucking all the boxes and instructions away and packing it as normal luggage.
     
  4. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    The snag is that luggage is X-rayed nowadays. A small cordless drill or driver can look a lot like a pistol.:eek:
     
  5. joinerjohn1

    joinerjohn1 Screwfix Select

    Hmm, can just imagine bloggy coming back through UK Customs, trying to explain why the cordless impact driver is in his luggage. :p:p:p:p:p
     
  6. bloggy 320

    bloggy 320 New Member

    Might take there mind off from all the drugs
     
  7. PaulBlackpool

    PaulBlackpool Screwfix Select

    Speaking entirely from memory if you order stuff on the web from the USA I think anything over a "gift" value of £15 attracts duty when it is to be collected from a depot in UK , unless it is not examined, and I think there is also a handling charge of something like £24. So if you actually import tools and declare them at customs on arrival I suppose it will be similar. A camera for instance that might be £500 here might be $500 dollars there but if you were a USA citizen you would be liable to pay State taxes which vary from state to state I believe but are less than our 20% VAT rate as far as I am aware. So it needs a fair bit or research to see whether it is worth it or not.
    Personally I would shop around the internet on UK sites.
     
  8. PaulBlackpool

    PaulBlackpool Screwfix Select

    He could always put it into (a large) trouser pocket and then they might just think that he was pleased to see them.:):):rolleyes::):)
     
  9. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    I bought some kit, about £400 worth from Jersey a few years ago,tax free.:rolleyes:
     
  10. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    Yeah & he may find himself looking at the wrong end of an H&K !:rolleyes:
     
  11. PaulBlackpool

    PaulBlackpool Screwfix Select

    Heckler & Koch!
    Yeah I get it! ( after about 17 hours LOL):)
     
  12. bloggy 320

    bloggy 320 New Member

    I thought it meant hugs and kisses
     
  13. PaulBlackpool

    PaulBlackpool Screwfix Select

    I supposed it was a gun. You would not be at the end of Hugs & Kisses would you? Depend on which end?
    It was the Koch part I did not get in my response using the old Mae West quote " is that a gun in your pocket
    or are pleased to see me".
     
  14. Gatt

    Gatt Active Member

    He would already have a ***** , walking in with his new cordless gun lol.
     
    PaulBlackpool likes this.
  15. PaulBlackpool

    PaulBlackpool Screwfix Select

    He might have been a cowboy with two six-shooters!
     
    Gatt likes this.
  16. big all

    big all Screwfix Select

    keep in mind dewalt are 20v in america and 18v here but are the same tools with the same batteries
    bosch also do the same trick and 12v in america and 10.8v here again the exact same tools and batteries
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2015
  17. dwlondon

    dwlondon Active Member

    I saw a variety of impressive power tools in both USA and Canada, but most of which are manufactured in the same countries, as the ones we buy from. For all that we have enough for most work here in the UK. Their voltage rating would be suitable for site work, with a change of plug.

    However it might be worth looking at some of the hand tools as they can be worth spending on. I bought an Estwing framing hammer, which became useful for heavy bashwork, and a few drill accessories like Trend Snappy but cheaper.

    There are some specialist hand tool shops that sell the higher quality items, but you will usually find these in major cities. I found one in Vancouver and had a look. All fabulous stuff but a lot of it on the wish list.

    Also its what you take back with you, without incurring an additional charge which puts the true cost higher than here in the UK.
     

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