Does anyone know how to ship carpenter tools over to Vancouver? My hubby will be going over on a work permit soon (hopefully) and will need his tools to arrive at the same time he does. He will need to take some power tools, but the main weight is in his hand tools, so would cost too much as excess baggage on a flight. Any suggestions? We can ship the tools he doesn't use very often with the household items, but everything else will need to be shipped over sooner.

Does anyone know approximately how much this would cost? The company he going to work for has said they will contribute to the cost, thankfully.

Thanks in advance

Mel

Have you considere asking the airline?

yep i have the answer for you .shipped most of my plumbing tools and electricals tools over in my 2 suitcases in my 3rd were my clothes.
i had to pay extra at the airport in london ..
but when on the plane the nice hostess gives your husband the form as to what he is bringing in .
then just put inn hand tools .
thats it no detailed description ..
when you land at yvr van
the immigration will ask you " ahh you have tools what sort of tools "
then you just say i jhave my hands tools give them an example screwdrivers hammers pliers ,planes vices so on and soon
they will then say ahh ok..
and touch wood..
that should be it..
as for electric tools he must have recharables.. dewalts,, and makitas..
bring them with him ..and buy an electrical droper from maplins or argos to recharge his batteries he can use it in his car .. or buy a dropper from the various small shops here in van.. there is a good on eon braodway..
that way you dont have to pay $$$$ to a differnrt charger ..
any probs give me shout ..
there are a few good merchants out here ..

Do you know much about mitre saws, by any chance? I'm looking for some advice.

I thought even In Quebec it was illegal to attack Health Professionals with hand tools????

it depends what you wnat to do
basically the long and short of it is they are good for cutting angles . only consider buying one if you do this work ALL the time otherwise just hire one.
u can pullsaw/mitre saws which allow wider pieces to be cut. or fixed ones which cut about 5inches ..
the bigger the more money.
hope that helps . any chippes out there

Thanks for the replies. Do you think the airline would let him take a big toolbox onboard, as I think the suitcase would rip with the weight of all those hand tools? I suppose I can ring and ask, they must come across this quite often, if UK tradesmen are moving over there!

Thanks
Mel

Oh, I've already got one, a 10" compound jobbie by Delta. I use it very often. It's fine for a lot of things but, as you say, 5" is about the limit. The problems kick when you go over that size (eg cutting baseboards at an angle on the flat). I'm thinking of trading up to a 10" or 12" sliding model. As you say, those things are not cheap. I have seen several models at Home Depot. I would not know the difference between them. Which are the brands to be favoured/avoided and what features/performance characteristics?

handtools on board the plane .. your havinh a laugh aint you ..
i put my tool boxes in my siutcases wedged them in so they did not move ..
dont go taking your tools on booard they will think u is a terriost :scared:

That made me laugh!! I can imagine him holding the plane up with a chisel lol!

Seriously I didn't think of that, padded suitcases are the way to go.

Cheers
Mel