Woodcraft of Minneapolis — Local services in Bloomington

If you are a woodworker, you will love Woodcraft. Of course they have an extremely wide variety of tools, both power and hand, and small to large. The quality of their tools is top notch, with a wide range of price levels from what I'd call entry-to-advanced hobbyist to higher-end tools for when you get serious. I've also heard many guys come in who are just beginners. They have lots of project supplies as well, including lots of wood turning project kits (pens, pepper mills, etc.) and many other kits. They also have a great selection of wood supplies from smaller domestic woods, exotic woods and multi-colored plywood for small projects, to larger milled and live-edge slabs for carpentry projects.

However, what really sets this location apart from other, similarly themed places, is the staff. Every one of their folks are friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and willing to spend the time to talk through your needs and make great recommendations. They also are not the typical "hard-sell" type sales guys, they really try to help you find the right tool for your needs and your budget. And even when I don't but anything, I always learn something new that helps my next project just by chatting with them. The other thing that's neat, is that each person seems to have a specialty. So if you're into wood turning, you can talk to one guy. Building cabinets? There's another guy who's an expert.

Finally, they offer a lot of free classes on various topics. Wood turning, making your own custom epoxy blanks, table saw safety, and many other topics are available, including kids classes. Just check their calendar and I'm sure there is something in which you will be interested.

If you haven't been here, please give it a try. I can't imagine you'd be...

Reasonable selection of quality woodworking tools and equipment. I am unhappy with the customer service though. I was given 2 of the same sharpening stones for Christmas, I called shortly after and contacted store since I travel to Minnesota from time to time and asked if I could exchange one of the stones for full credit, without a receipt since it was a gift and was told it would be just fine. I called again on 3/5/21 to make sure they would still honor what was said back in January and was told yes. I arrived and told the clerk who I was and they seemed to understand and told them I would leave the stone that was to be returned to them upon entry so I wouldn’t be confused with anything questionable, So I sho around and find a few small ticket items. Upon checking out the clerk asked if I had a receipt and told him that I had already spoke with 2 different associates about this and said it was fine since I was exchanging, the third employee said no and it would cost him 15% to return it and he couldn’t do it. Since I had driven so far and had already purchased some stuff for my grandfather, I said I would take the hit. The explained my disappointment with the clerk, clerk couldn’t care less. I will tel everyone other woodworker that i know about this experience and I am beyond the average woodworker and help advise many other hobbyist due to my time I have invested in the craft. Unhappy with service...

I had two significant questions, and they had answers for both. 1. How to get new birch to look like 100 year old shellacked birch. They suggested a gel stain and applied it, in two different thicknessess, plus demonstrations of with/without shellac, to my sample lumber. It looks great. 2. My 100 year old cabinets use sticks with a zig-zag pattern to hold up the shelves. I was concerned that the 100 year old pine would not accept shellac yo the same degree as the 100 year old birch cabinets. They proposed a sensible solution that would look good and save me money. I am mulling over there proposals at home, and looking at them in natural light. They look pretty good; I think I will go back and buy the product. I appreciate their deep expertise, their work station where we could sample finishes on my scrap lumber, and their willingness to take the time to solve my problems. Those things are invaluable to me right now, as I remodel my kitchen....