I like to try and buy local if I can. I know I apreciate the buisness I get from people that could order from somewhere else. After makeing a bunch of gaskets lately I finaly decided to look into getting a gasket cutter.
So I went to three places I thought might have them on island.
Struck out at the first two and the third is a shop called "Best American Tools" I mention that becuase although they do have quality tools they are definatly not "Best American speakers" I asked him if he had gasket cutters. He asked me what size I wanted. I asked him what sizes he had. Turns out he only had one size (up to 36") I asked if I could see it. He seemed offended that I would make him show me something in the store. I took a look and it was what I was looking for. So I asked him how much.
Now I had never priced a gasket cutter before and I am used to his stuff being a bit dear but when he told me $800 I about asked him if he was smokeing crack or something! I could not belive anyone would buy one for that price. I told him it looked like I needed to do some shopping around.
I stopped by the office on my way to the job I am working on becuase I wanted to check if that was even in the ball park. I found one on Ebay slightly used same brand 36" capacity with 23min left in the auction. So I bought it for $51.50 plus $10.50 shipping and its exactly the one I remember using in the Navy. Metal box and all. I even checked McMaster and the one he had goes for about $225 from them. I guess he's just counting on the gopher whos company sends him out with a PO or credit card and says "find me a gasket cutter and dont come back without one!"
So I'm all happy for 3 reasons. I saved over $700
, In a week or so Ill have a tool I have wanted for years
and most importantly I have just insured I wont need to cut another gasket for 6 months
Cheers Jim
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