  Legodude Member Username: Legodude Post Number: 3 Registered: 09-2006 |
Hi All, Any recommendations for neat "industrial" stores? I'm looking for stuff like new/scrap metal, used machinery, parts from old factories, etc. I know of Grainger, but that is hardly interesting and given the city's industrial base, there have to be lots of gems that I am missing. I'm primarily looking for old woodworking machines, but anything will do. Thanks Mike | ||
Umcs Member Username: Umcs Post Number: 484 Registered: 06-2007 |
Not specific to Detroit but they pull in a lot of material from Detroit. http://www.hgrindustrialsurplu s.com/ There are numerous auctions that you can find in various newspapers and trade magazines as well. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4898 Registered: 12-2005 |
There was an interesting article in The Detroit News a few months ago about industrial equipment auctions in the area. People from all over the world come to Detroit for surplus machinery from factory closings. It's kind of sad of course but it's also amazing how much people pay for that equipment. So there is still an economy here even if it's only to sell off our industrial corpse piecemeal.  | ||
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile Post Number: 59 Registered: 09-2005 |
Sarah-Lil used to be off of Warren near Wyoming. They used to sell used machinery. Also Factory steel in Highland Park ,on Oakland sells used metal and new. | ||
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile Post Number: 60 Registered: 09-2005 |
I guess Sarah-Lil is on Central off of Warren. I looked it up | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 2001 Registered: 04-2005 |
If their new place is anything like the old one, go on a warm day, otherwise you'll freeze. For new stuff, Production Tool is a large, local store, with a few outlets around town. Their main store and warehouse is on 8 Mile, just east of Van Dyke. They do have some woodworking tools and machinery. Another place is Wholesale Tool on Stephens, east of Hoover in Warren. New and some lower end tools, open to the general public. There are quite a few used machinery places in the Detroit area, but most of them sell very large pieces of industrial machinery. The problem is finding places that sell things as small as a Bridgeport milling machine, or smaller. North Bay Machinery on Nine Mile, just east of Van Dyke, on the north side in an old warehouse, has the kinds of machines and hand tools that can be moved without having a forklift and liftgate truck. For used tools, there are/were(?) a couple of places: one on Woodward between 12 & 13, and another on Van Dyke a bit north of M-59. It's been awhile since I've been to either one, so I don't know if they are still around. Both bought and sold tools, and had a decent inventory of stuff. (Message edited by Hornwrecker on March 26, 2008) | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1131 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: HGR ROCKS!•••• It is well worth the trip to Cleveland to check it out. | ||
Sstashmoo Member Username: Sstashmoo Post Number: 1253 Registered: 02-2007 |
Why mess with used stuff when you can buy new stuff for the price of used? Google "HarborFreight" I bought a 2000 pound lathe from them, they shipped it from Ca to Detroit for $8. They have some insane deal with Yellow freight. Locally, "Wholesale tool Company" here in Detroit. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4900 Registered: 12-2005 |
quote:That might be "Mr. Tool" on the east side of Van Dyke. I've never been there but my dad used to make it a weekly visit. | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 852 Registered: 11-2007 |
Legodude - Can you be more specific? Art, decoration, invention, common tools ? I have to second HarborFreight, mostly Chinese, but we ALL are on a budget now. I bought infrared outdoor security video cameras there for $29.00. They have stores in Fraser, Pontiac/Waterford, and Flint. (Livonia ?) A Mr. Tool is/was at 21&1/2 and Van Dyke, heading north on the right hand side. Look for the vertical propane tank. Lots of old/used machinist/power tools. (Message edited by Bigb23 on March 26, 2008) | ||
Legodude Member Username: Legodude Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2006 |
Thanks for all the responses. Mr. Tool looks like a good first stop. I should have put that I know Harbor Freight, and while I think it is fine for some things, usually look to buy old quality tools and restore them. I enjoy the restore process and getting to know a tool inside and out. I'm essentially looking for anything up to a Bridgeport/Cabinet saw in size. Old handplanes & spokeshaves, machinist/layout, lathe, tablesaw, belt/disc sander, mig/tig welder, small milling machine, etc. Mike | ||
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23 Post Number: 860 Registered: 11-2007 |
In that case, hit the Dixieland flea market at Telegraph and Dixie Hwy. in Waterford. Weekends with nice weather will yield a lot of old tools. Also the Armada flea market, Tuesdays and Sundays, this season. You should of posted earlier, I sold most of my machinist tools and all my Kennedy boxes on Craigslist. And that is also a good place to look! | ||
Cambrian Member Username: Cambrian Post Number: 1817 Registered: 08-2006 |
MAC Supply on Dequindre in Hazel Park has industrial supplies. They may be able to turn you on to a machine dealer if they have nothing you need. Check craig's list too. My uncle bought an old machine shop building on Fitzpatrick for his auto restoration business. He off loaded a lot of left over stuff from the previous owner's on Craig's List. |
