Relocated to London: woodenboaters?

[colestyron]

Hello all,

I've just moved from Branson, Missouri to London, and sadly I couldn't take my tools with me. Any Brits out there, or expats for that matter, know where I can resupply in the London area? Specifically I'm looking for a block plane, a jack plane, and a few other odds and ends. I've had a look around at the big stores (there's a Homebase in my neighborhood), but the quality of the planes is really awful (plastic parts, if you can believe it). Ideally I'd like to come by some second-hand stuff in good condition. Anyone offer any suggestions?
Furthermore, I'm looking for a part-time job, either evenings or mornings (I'm a full-time law student), and I'd love to get connected with the boatbuilding or woodworking scene in the UK. Anyone know of any openings, or reputable builders/woodworkers in the London area?

Cheers,

Cole

[Dick Wynne]

Hi Cole,

Don't know about boatbuilders in London, but I can offer you some wooden boat fun here if you're interested. I keep a 27ft clinker-built whaler, built 1943 but in very good shape, for pulling & sailing in London and farther afield. She lurks in the Limehouse-to-Greenwich area. Pics to follow when I finish her current repaint and oiling her 3 acres of teak, in a week or two, then she goes back in. PM me if interested.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

What a truly excellent offer.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Man! Talk about cultural shock.
The British have a long tradition of traditional woodworking. And they don't throw a lot of stuff away. If you have trouble finding old, high quality woodworking tools you ain't looking in the right places.
The Brits have what is called a "jumble", i.e. a rummage sale. I think jumbles are popular because it is a way around the onerous taxes levied there. If you have the time jumbles would be a good place to start looking. It would also be a good place to develope your ear for all the different forms of the English language packed onto that little island.
If you want to buy new be prepared to pay big because of value added taxes and all that.
When I was following this stuff more closely the Brits produced a lot of good quality woodworking hand tools sold in the US. I think all Stanley planes are now made in Britain. But time marches on. Do the best you can.

[Presuming Ed]

Don't bother with B&Q, Homebase et al if you're looking for anything more than basic DIY tools.

You might try I Grizard Ltd, 84 Lillie Road.

Or www.screwfix.

The only boatbuilder I can think of in London is the Richmond Bridge Boat House. Otherwise there are yards in the suburbs & Surrey - Henwood and Dean, Peter Freebody and the like.

[Kestrel1891]

Take a day trip to Suffolk and visit a pretty little town called Needham Market. It's on the main line railway. There are two superb tool shops virtually opposite each other in the high street. One specialises in high quality new tools, the other has a huge range of second hand tools.

http://www.classichandtools.com/
http://www.antiquetools.co.uk/

Well worth making the effort for

[colestyron]

Excellent stuff. Thanks for the input. I've also come across another website, axminster.com. They sell tools of their own make based on Stanley models. Anyone vouch for the quality here?

[anthony mercer]

A vote for Axeminster. I am a student at the International Boatbuilding Training College and we use them all the time.

You could also try Rutlands.