Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

fhollin

Jan 16, 2006, 8:46 AM

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Power tools

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Planning on moving to Mexico this year (Quintana Roo). I'm into woodworking and I'm just wondering if anyone has compared the prices of power tools (bandsaws, table saws etc. to those of Canada/USA.

Thanks!

Rolly / Moderator

Jan 16, 2006, 9:04 AM

Post #2 of 11 (2965 views)

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Re: [fhollin] Power tools

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They are much more expensive in Mexico, and the selection is far more limited. Bring your own.

Rolly Pirate

fhollin

Jan 16, 2006, 9:09 AM

Post #3 of 11 (2962 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Power tools

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That was my suspicion, just wanted to confirm it...now I can go tell the wife that I just HAVE to get a new bandsaw...:-)

Thanks Rolly!

Fred

shoe

Jan 17, 2006, 7:26 AM

Post #4 of 11 (2909 views)

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Re: [fhollin] Power tools

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Rolly's comment was very understated. The tools available here are very simple and very limited in capabilities. Not only should you get a new band saw but I would get a lot of the newer tools that have laser guidance, and other ease of use features. A laser guided table saw and miter saw are mandatory. Bring you own selection of saw blades, as special ones are just not seen here. The select at Sear is very limited for example. The hand tools that I brought are doing well here but I am running out of sanding belts and there is not much chance of getting them here for a reasonable price.

I am thinking about bringing my woodshop down the next time I got to the states and will upgrade everything if I do. I have a lot of contractor grade stuff from Delta, Sears, Jet, Grizzly and others. Moving up will be fun too as I love to shop for tools. I have not tried to get things shopped to Mexico like Freud saw blades as I am afraid they will not make it ot the duty will be high.

shoe

Nothing is intrinsically good or evil, but its manner of usage may make it so.
-St. Thomas Aquinas

fhollin

Jan 17, 2006, 8:04 AM

Post #5 of 11 (2900 views)

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Re: [shoe] Power tools

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Thanks, Shoe. I'm going to be in the Akumal area in Q.R., and I know there's a Home Depot in Cancun, so I figure I should be able to get basic things like router bits/sanding belts, etc. In your experience has raw lumber been available (not sure where in Mexico you are)? Just wondering if it's worth bringing a jointer and planer down.

Thanks again!....Fred

Rolly / Moderator

Jan 17, 2006, 8:20 AM

Post #6 of 11 (2895 views)

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Re: [fhollin] Power tools

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Absolutely bring your jointer and planer. Raw lumber is the rule; quality finished lumber is hard to come by.

Rolly Pirate

fhollin

Jan 17, 2006, 9:17 AM

Post #7 of 11 (2890 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Power tools

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Thanks, Rolly...looks like I'll have to get a separate container just for the workshop!

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Jan 17, 2006, 3:23 PM

Post #8 of 11 (2876 views)

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Re: [fhollin] Power tools

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Maybe you should consider setting up a "rent-a-tool" business. Sounds like it may be a good enterprise.
Getting older and still not down here.

shoe

Jan 18, 2006, 5:48 AM

Post #9 of 11 (2848 views)

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Re: [ronpic] Power tools

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That rent-a-tool business has been in the back of my mind for a log time.

BTW, at Home Depot you can get dried finished wood without any problem. The wood is a pretty good grade and priced fairly reasonable. There is a lot of ruff cut wood available also so the planer and joiner are a great idea. Here in Melaque I have to get my wood when I made a trip to Guadalajara or Colima (none in Manzanillo) if I want finished dried wood. If I can put up with green ruff cut I buy that here, get it planed at a cabinetmaker shop and use it, but it does shrink a lot.

Plywood is available in a lot of places. Example ¼" Luan plywood (sp?) is available for about $17 USD 3/8" a/c plywood is about $32 USD.

I need to bring my workshop down but would have to rent a building to set it up in. That might be feasible.

shoe

Nothing is intrinsically good or evil, but its manner of usage may make it so.
-St. Thomas Aquinas

Bloviator

Jan 18, 2006, 6:03 AM

Post #10 of 11 (2844 views)

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Re: [shoe] Power tools

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I doubt a tool rental business would work here. I've given it some thought (spent a number of years in the equipment rental business NoB).

Recently we had two skylights cut into our ceiling. It took Santos two and a half weeks to complete the job, including about one and a half week on the terraza in the June sun (90+ degrees) with a hammer anc chisel drilling out the ceiling. My wife, who spent 30+ years in the equipment rental business, kept explaining to anyone who would listen that he could do the job in less than a day with a 30# electric hammer.

Yes Senora, but Santos would not know how to use the hammer and he would be out a week plus of work. Further, renting an electric hammer for one day would cost as much as hiring Santos for the week and a half that the job took.

Backhoes are replacing armies of diggers on some jobs now, but it is a slow process and in the short term means less work for those who used to do the jobs.

fhollin

Jan 19, 2006, 11:39 AM

Post #11 of 11 (2796 views)

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Re: [dlyman6500] Power tools

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Thanks for all the help and info, guys!