Where to Buy Woodworking Tools in Des Moines, IA

So, you want to buy woodworking tools in Des Moines?

As luck would have it, I happen to know some of the best places to find all kinds of woodworking tools in your city.

Buying woodworking tools is a habit that can quickly get away from you. Although I don’t regret most of my purchases, I wish I’d known the best places to spend my money as a beginner.

Some of the mistakes I would have avoided include buying from stores without proper warranties and falling for sales pitches that inadvertently took more out of my pocket than was necessary.

It’s a good thing I can pass on this knowledge to all you enthusiasts looking for quality tools at affordable prices in Des Moines.

Here are the places I highly recommend checking out.

The Woodsmith Store (Clive, IA)

How great do you feel when you find everything you need under one roof?

Walking into the Woodsmith Store as a beginner, I had a feeling I would be coming here for the rest of my woodworking career.

They have everything, and by everything, I mean hand tools, handheld power tools, and heavy-duty woodworking machinery such as table saws. 

All the brands you’d ever need are here, from DeWalt and Bosch to the lesser-known Craftsman and Metabo (Hitachi) tools. To say that I was spoilt for choice would be an accurate assessment.

What stands out about the Woodsmith Store is that they cater to every need a woodworker might have. Not only do they sell excellent tools, but they also have an entire lumber department filled with everything from domestic hardwoods to exotic timbers. 

They also stock a wide variety of paints, top coats, and finishes. By the time I was leaving with my DeWalt Rotary Hammer/Drill, I had already made a mental checklist of what I would buy on my next visit.

Woodsmith Store truly is a paradise for woodworkers. The store is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable staff that made it easy for me to find what I needed.

Moreover, they have amazing service guarantees and warranties for their new products.

Good luck trying to leave this store if you have a penchant for quality woodworking equipment!

Acme Tools (629 SW 9th Street)

Acme Tools has been around since 1948, and it’s easy to see why they’ve thrived for so long.

Apart from woodworking and metalworking tools, the store is an authorized retailer of tool storage, lawn care, and safety equipment.

Browsing through their shelves, I quickly noted that they stock all the major brands, including Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Metabo, Honda, and Hitachi.

Although you’ll also find various building supplies here, it’s a mix and match of woodworking, metalworking, masonry, and gardening supplies. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially since their offerings are brand new, backed by reliable warranties, and available in different models.

I found myself gravitating back here mostly for their excellent repair services. When tools break down or wear out, they always have a solution that gets you back to work in hours.

Their prices are also very manageable. I often wonder how far I’d have gotten on my first budget if I had visited this store first.

It’s too late for me to get back those extra coins I thought I needed to spend, but if you need high-quality tools at affordable prices, don’t hesitate to check out Acme Tools.

Northern Tool + Equipment (4365 Merle Hay Rd)

You might be familiar with Northern Tool even if you’re not from Des Moines because it has a chain of stores across the country.

This is a serious woodworking store. I say that because most of the times I’ve been there, there have always been a handful of professional contractors in deep conversation with the store manager, and they often left with trucks filled with various tools and equipment.

The franchise is an authorized dealer of many of the top brands we use in our craft, including STIHL, a chainsaw brand with branches worldwide.

I don’t come here often to buy tools, but I’ve visited plenty of times, usually when I needed a motor or a compressor fixed. 

They also offer world-class engine repair services, which might explain why contractors rely on them so much. 

What I also love is their awesome customer service. For a company that almost exclusively deals with experts and professionals, they sure know how to dumb it down for novices like me who are just looking for woodworking advice.

Campbell Supply Co. (1493 E Army Post Rd)

Last but not least, we have Campbell Supply Co. Admittedly, I’ve only been here two or three times, but I gleaned enough during my short visits.

They’re well-stocked, affordably priced, and have a very knowledgeable staff. You can’t help but feel confident about your purchase after a quick chat with one of them.

There is a wide selection of power tools and woodworking equipment like saws, drills, and routers. They also offer free thorough repair services if they fall within their service agreements.

If you have no idea what you’re doing but still want to get the best woodworking tools for your money, I reckon they’re the right people to guide you.

Buying Woodworking Tools as a Beginner – What You Need to Know

Have a plan

I can’t tell you how crazy my first few months were. I was in and out of stores almost every week because as soon as I bought a new tool, I quickly realized that I had forgotten an important accessory or another tool that would make it work better.

Plan out your purchases beforehand. It will help you figure out your budget and allow you to get everything you need at once. 

For example, if you get a router, ensure you get all the right bits and perhaps an extra chuck. It’s well worth it in the long run.

Stick to what you need

I’m guilty of buying equipment that I wasn’t ready to use. It was an impulse buy, and although the dust blower came in handy once I bought my first table saw, there was a period of regret.

Don’t spend on tools that are not immediately necessary for your craft. Build your collection slowly, starting with what you need. 

Upgrading is inevitable, but the longer you wait to buy a tool, the more useful (and hopefully cheaper) it will be.

Do your research 

Don’t get me wrong—all these woodworking stores in Des Moines have excellent attendants that know everything there is to know about tools.

That said, always come in armed with your research. It’s liberating to finally understand the tiny nuances between different tools even as the attendant explains them to you.

Your research will tell you exactly where to spend your money.

Mind the service agreements 

The purchases that I do regret making were tools that came with terrible warranties.

I didn’t realize at the time that I was being short-changed. It was only until they inevitably developed problems that I learned my mistake.

Always go for solid service agreements, even if they cost more. Future you will thank you profusely.

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