On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 10:38:34 +0100, "Jim S"
wrote:

Hi,

Most makita power tools are quite a bit cheaper in the US. Firstly, would
they work here (assuming they are 110V), secondly some stores will ship to
the UK but not sure of the shipping costs.

Has anyone done this or is it a non starter!

Any comments appreciated.

Jim


Yes they are and I have done this.

Generally I buy during visits to the U.S. because it

a) saves shipping costs and

b) you have a £145 duty and VAT free allowance on items when you
return through the airport here.

I've found that even if I go over that and go through the red channel
and have worked out the numbers for the customs man and don't have any
booze, that I've been let off or just charged the VAT if it's not too
much.

Duty on power tools is generally 2.7%.

However, on some purchases it can still be worth paying for the
shipping and import. I've used companies like Grainger and Coastal
Tool among others who are geared up for international shipment. I
also compare their shipping prices with what I can get using Fedex or
DHL and simply having the supplier use my accounts. This prevents
them from marking up the shipping costs.

On large and heavy items, the shipping costs by air may be very high,
so it can be worth looking at sea freighting which is a lot less, but
typically takes 2-3 weeks door to door.

In terms of what works - anything that is cordless is fine, although
you will need to get an autotransformer and American power strip if
they have wall-wart chargers. Some chargers are autoranging nowadays.

For mains tools, generally anything with a brushed motor is fine. You
need to take more care with anything with an induction motor. Some
are fine on 50 or 60Hz but will run slower on 50Hz. Others really are
single frequency and will overheat on the wrong one.

Generally for mains tools, I take off the American plug and replace
with a yellow EN 60309 industrial plug since this is compatible with
site transformers etc.

One thing to watch is that some tools have certain components that are
different in Europe to the U.S. mainly to address safety regulations.
So a U.S. 110v one may not be the same as a European 110v one.

For example, I have a Makita LS1013 mitre saw and this has a different
arrangement for the power switch and guard interlocks on the one sold
here.

Another example is that I have a DeWalt portable table saw which I
imported from the U.S. It has a different power switch arrangement
but also has a 5/8" arbor long enough to take a stacked dado set,
whereas the European model has a short 30mm arbor. It's not a
problem since 5/8" blades are available here.

The point to watch is over spare parts. You can get those supplied by
Grainger quite easily. So for example, I bought some brushes for the
DW saw to keep in the drawer when I ordered something else.

I don't necessarily buy from the U.S. on price but also because of
availability of good quality tools that are not available here. For
example, I've bought a number of power tools from Porter Cable - you
can get them here from Rutlands etc. but at vast mark up. Others have
been Porter Cable and Senco pneumatic nailers - similar situation.

So the answer is yes, it can be worth it, but do your research first.
..andy

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