Bargain Hunter Report: Lee Valley vs. Woodcraft

I think Lee Valley and Woodcraft are great stores to do business with. And I don't mind a small difference in price. But once in a while the differences are significant. Be aware of this. Here are three examples important to woodturners:

Item Lee Valley Price Woodcraft Price Treen Mandrel $49.50 [1] $75.15 [2][3] Oneway Spindle Steady $97.50 [4] $69.99 [5] Mine Expanding Collet $14.95 [6] $39.99 [7]

Notes: The Lee Valley includes the Beal Treen Mandrel Converter (an expanding collet). Woodcraft does not. I added it from the Beal site to make the prices comparable.

[1] $59.90 @ $15.25 @ Woodcraft has a sale on the OneWay spindle steady. The flyer didn't note this, but the web page does. The regular price (same as Lee Valley) includes the clamp block. Lee Valley charges extra ($11.50) for the clamp block. [4] 86.00 + 11.50 @ $69.99 @ I think these 1 3/8" mini-expanding collect chuck are the same item. But the manufacturer isn't listed. It's also a mini-screw chuck. [6] $14.95 @ $39.99 @ p.s. I just bought 2 of the mobile base at Woodcraft, item 144813 - normally $49.99. The other mobile bases were on sale this month, but I liked these because they were what I wanted at a lower price. At the register, I found out the bases were lowered to $35 each. This was a surprise to the people at the store as well.

I suspect these prices will change. If you are considering one of these items, it might be a good time to take advantage of the price difference. Then again, maybe the price will be lowered next month. :-)