Has Stewart-MacDonald EVER had a sale?

[twinrider1]

I really want to order up some tools from Stew-Mac. I just wish they'd have some kind of sale at some point, free shipping.....something!

I know, it's their business, and they don't seem to be hurting any. I'm not complaining really, just venting.

[Zero]

You don't like their everyday low prices?!? :rolleyes: they're so overpriced it's silly.

[Bones]

I guess if it wasn't for them, where would you get most of that stuff? They supply specialty tools to a niche market and businesses like that rarely have sales.

[zekmoe]

If the price is to high, and your time is worth nothing (most peoples is, regardless of what they say), then spend time searching and pay less. I'd bet that sometimes you'll pay less, sometimes more, and sometimes the same. I'd say that much of that gear is hard to come by anyway. Either way, you'll be spending something...time or money..and it's up to each of us to decide which is worth more.

[Structo]

Dan Erlewine has to make money somewhere!

A lot of their lutherie tools can be found elsewhere cheaper or made at home if you are a clever fellow.

But like mentioned, not too many places carry the tools that they do.

You can make your own fret nippers/ pullers.

You can make a fret bender.

You can make your own fret cauls, etc.

But if you have the cash, it is nice to get these well made items from them.

[guittguy1]

I have a few of Their tools and have made some Myself. Their prices make Me cringe. I lost interest in working on guitars except as needed anyway.

[whitehall]

Most of their trick tools I have been able to duplicate from other sources for less than 1/2 their prices. A lot of cycling tools found their way into my parts box and work great- certain tire levers will pull Gibson knobs as well as tighten tailpiece studs for example. Now a few days age for the first time ever I got an email from WD for a 20% sale , 2 days only. I don't think WD has ever had an across the board sale before. Sign of the times I guess.

[twinrider1]

I can appreciate the convenience of a one-stop shop, but some of the stuff is just so much higher.
A few random items with just a few minutes on Google...
Mitchell Abrasive Cord direct from Mitchell: $5.95 vs. $16.41 from Stew-Mac.
Buffing Wheel Rake Brush from Caswell: $9.41 vs. $16.30 from Stew-Mac.
They want over $41 for their Guitar Bench Rest. A non slip pad and a leather front rifle rest is $25 tops.

I guess I'm mostly focused on tools. And some of the stuff is prices about the same as other places. Their 18" straightedge looks nice, but you can get a Starrett for a little more ($14) and it's flat out to .0002 (probably overkill for a guitar, granted).

[Rock Johnson]

yeah... their feeler gauges are like $10, you can get them for $2 at autozone.

[daddyo]

Some of their stuff is great - nut slot spacing tool for instance. I like their fret pullers too. Sure I could spend $10 less and try and grind down a set of end nippers and maybe have it work, but $10?

[Lex Luthier]

They do have some real cool specialty items you can't get anywhere else, but if you are handy you can modify/make some tools yourself and save a lot of money.

I had one of my guitarist machinist buddies make me some killer machined aluminum router templates and other things in trade for some guitar repair work on his guitars.