• Scam Alert. Members are reminded to NOT send money to buy anything. Don't buy things remote and have it shipped - go get it yourself, pay in person, and take your equipment with you. Scammers have burned people on this forum. Urgency, secrecy, excuses, selling for friend, newish members, FUD, are RED FLAGS. A video conference call is not adequate assurance. Face to face interactions are required. Please report suspicions to the forum admins. Stay Safe - anyone can get scammed.

McDougall Tools Calgary

B

Beez12

Ben
Was looking to head down to McDougall Tools in Calgary this morning. Do any members frequent this establishment and recommend it?
I am looking for some carbide inserts and 1/2” shank tool holders. Would McDougall Tools carry this size of “hobby” tooling? Or should I just purchase online from KBC or Travers?

cheers
 
This was posted a while back
https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/lathe-tool-inserts.41/

I haven't been there for a long time myself. He sold to machine shops & anyone who walked in the door AFAIK. I can't speak for product lines carried, but for what I was looking for at the time, it was the same as you would see in the bigger distributers (at variable prices). Its a tough balance for any of these storefront places especially in these trying times. They have to juggle what should be on the shelf vs what they can 'get in' meaning you may likely have to place an order & then go back to get it. DMH is somewhat similar, they have stock items but are also assigned distributers for specific product lines you may or may not see in KBC & Travers.... For example I bought an Asimeto instrument & some excellent taps at DMH, a line handled by Sowa. But you cant buy direct from Sowa, its a distributorship network. https://www.sowatool.com/Product/14/266/667

Thomas Skinner has basically nothing to look at in their 'store' but is extensively connected to many product lines. Its worth the trip just to grab some free product catalogs. They mainly cater to shops but will sell to anyone, no account or min order AFAIK. Unfortunately their website is a mess as they are rebuilding, but you can call them if you have a catalog PN.
 
Thanks Peter, as you mentioned MacDougall didn’t have much inventory on the shelf and an order had to be placed. I feel I made the right choice by ordering through Bob. He was a very pleasant gentleman and took the time to sit down with me and go through catalogues of tooling.

Being a small business in Calgary, especially during the last year would be very trying. I’ll definable be a repeat customer at MacDougall.
 
I really like McDougall, but since I do almost all Kinemetal and/or offshore ISO inserts, his product line isn't appropriate, or a little too expensive. If the old guy is still there, he's very nice.
 
Did MacDougall have a machine shop in the back when you were there recently? I'm really dating myself, could have been early 2000's. Bob (dad) was in the front handling tooling & (maybe son but I'm not sure) was doing jobs in the back. I recall a Bridgeport & lathe but wasn't in there long. Nice folks. I wish they specialized in metal off-cuts for home machinists, now THAT would be business I could get behind LoL.
 
I usually go to ACT seeing they are just down the road it’s about the same distance to Thomas Skinner from me.
 
Never seen the back of McDougall, was greeted by Bob into his office.
Tom, does ACT have a good inventory, or does most stuff have to be ordered in?
 
They have some inventory of the popular things the rest they ship in from Edmonton my tapping collets were ordered in they came in 2 days it depends when they order I came in later in the day and missed the order.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top