Here is a photo tour (as promised) of our shop in Santa Cruz, “Drew’s Used Tools.” I just thought you might have fun looking.
Drew’s Used Tools is a small, locally owned tool store which buys, sells, and trades new and used tools. Currently there are only three of us working here including Drew. The other two are me and Bryce.
Due to the nature of our business, our “inventory” is constantly changing because we mostly just have whatever people bring us. It’s always fun to see what’s new in the store and we sure get some gems from time to time.
We have everything from bins of screwdrivers for 50 cents, to jackhammers for over a grand. We get all kinds of people in our store from contractors and builders to hobbyists and enthusiasts. We have a lot of regulars who come in just to hang out and talk about tools. The people are interesting, the tools are interesting, and the stories we here are amazing.
Because of my experience with used tools, I am definitely an huge advocate for buying used tools. If you haven’t already, you should check out my blog Consider Buying Used Tools as well.
I took these photos on a slow day… enjoy!























































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Thanks for looking. By the way, I’ll be taking donations for a video camera ;)
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com






















29 comments so far
Douglas Bordner
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3424 posts in 956 days
posted 676 days ago
Okay, now I’ve changed my mind. Instead of a urban lumber/bait shop, now I want my after-retirement job to be in urban lumber/used tool shop. What a treasure trove. Can’t imagine all the trouble I’d get into at a place like that. Bet it even smells interesting.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Zuki
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1232 posts in 970 days
posted 676 days ago
I would hate to have to take inventory in your shop. I cld spend hrs in there especially around the Dewalt cordless bin.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
GaryK
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9521 posts in 881 days
posted 676 days ago
Some of those items sure have been used!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
jackd942
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34 posts in 703 days
posted 676 days ago
Wow! I think I could spend eight days a week in there! My wife is probably pleased that we don’t live anywhere near.
-- --Jack D - Southeast Missouri -- http://deltawoodworks.com
Karson
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25795 posts in 1293 days
posted 676 days ago
I noticed a 16” Makita. They are usually very expensive. But really nice if you are building a log cabin.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Grumpy
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14915 posts in 744 days
posted 676 days ago
Great shop Blake. When is the big sale?. I might just make a trip over. Then again it is a little bit too far.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
clieb91
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683 posts in 827 days
posted 676 days ago
Man Now I do wish I lived closer to that area. Course would take some money out of my pocket pretty quick. Thanks for the tour Blake and I will most definatly have to stop over if I do get over to the opposite coast.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."
gizmodyne
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1668 posts in 982 days
posted 676 days ago
THanks for the tour…. How do you avoid spending your entire paycheck there?
Hmmm. I might have to stop by during spring break. I might head up to Pacific Grove then.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
RobS
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1243 posts in 1199 days
posted 676 days ago
Wow! How much for the Rigid planer? And with all that, how could you ever have a slow day?!
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
RAH
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414 posts in 769 days
posted 676 days ago
Blake do you make trades? I am close enough, a contractor and have many extras items to trade.
-- Ron Central, CA
dalec
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581 posts in 781 days
posted 676 days ago
Blake,
I could spend hours in your store, just looking around.
Thank goodness, I don’t live too near you, my bank account would not be able to handle it.
Thanks for the tour.
Dalec
airfieldman
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72 posts in 703 days
posted 676 days ago
Where’s CoolBoy?
-- Do what you love, the money will follow --Marsha Sinetar
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7034 posts in 1192 days
posted 676 days ago
WOW!!!
To bad your so far away, I would have a ball in that place.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
dennis mitchell
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3791 posts in 1207 days
posted 676 days ago
Awsome you have a much better selection than our local big box stores!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
cajunpen
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5970 posts in 958 days
posted 676 days ago
Reminds me of my son’s Pawn Shop (at least the tools section). It is fun to go in and browse from time to time. It’s also nice when I get that call from him saying “Dad, you’ve got to see this”. Good post Blake, Thanks.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
rikkor
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11338 posts in 767 days
posted 676 days ago
Looks like your store’s motto could be “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”
Dadoo
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1725 posts in 883 days
posted 676 days ago
I’m thinking, “Too bad it’s on the other side of the country. I’ll never make it out ther….Wait a minute! FREE CUPCAKES?! Oh man! I’m there!”
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
MsDebbieP
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14161 posts in 1053 days
posted 676 days ago
fieldtrip !!!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Jeff
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997 posts in 986 days
posted 675 days ago
man, tons-o-fun and you can even pick up a couple of animal traps….
Two questions. What goes/went in the big red Milwaukee box? Is that hand-saw with the green tag, propped against the peg board, a Disston?
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
Dorje
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1768 posts in 889 days
posted 675 days ago
Certainly have a bit of everything! Thanks for the tour… I actually like the photo format…videos are a bit more, well…bouncy? I liked the crisp still shots! Though a video would be fun too!
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
FrankA
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136 posts in 671 days
posted 660 days ago
It is probably a good thing I’m on the other side of the country, I could see your place putting an end to my marital bliss. Theres more than one item I’d be walking home with. Really wish we had a store like that around here.
-- Frank Auge---Nichols NY----"My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked, but it is price competitive."
Sawdust2
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1181 posts in 980 days
posted 660 days ago
Looks like a fun business and my type of store.
There are a few LJ’s that would take those planes off your hands for a reasonable price.
-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.
Tony
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812 posts in 923 days
posted 660 days ago
You have got to go there guys – it a gold mine full of goodies -
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
Thos. Angle
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4015 posts in 855 days
posted 660 days ago
Every body likes this one! Idaho tool and Equipment has a big room full of used tools. I seldom find anything I need but lots of people do and I keep looking. Fun place, Blake.
-- Thos. Angle
John Gray
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1752 posts in 778 days
posted 660 days ago
If you would open a branch store in Effingham, IL I guarantee I would be in there at least one day a week…..PLEASE….......................?
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
WayneC
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5968 posts in 990 days
posted 660 days ago
I enjoyed my visit. Looks like that lathe is new since I was there. I will have to drop by again one of these days.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
YorkshireStewart
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782 posts in 794 days
posted 660 days ago
I’ve never seen anything like it! I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. That plus all those interesting luthiers – Santa Cruz sounds like heaven.
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
Napaman
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3483 posts in 970 days
posted 536 days ago
wow…blake…I was looking for compost bins on the LJ search tool and this link came up…I hever saw it so long ago when posted…this is amazing!!! making me want to come down and browse with summer break approaching—-of course tool budget zapped for now…but this looks fun!!!
hope the business is doing well…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
WayneC
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5968 posts in 990 days
posted 536 days ago
From personal experience, if you can combine it with lunch and a shop visit it is well worth the trip. : ^ )
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov