I walked into Tool Pros for the first time Tuesday afternoon. This power tool repair shop and parts house is yet another true old Seattle business located along Lake City Way.
Above, this is what Old Seattle is all about.
I needed to replace a snapped belt on my 20 year old Ryoba surface planer. I’d looked online, but had a hard time finding the correct part. I was tipped to Tool Pros by a reliable source.
I took the owner’s manual with me to Tool Pros, and slid it across the counter. The fellow behind the counter had on a mechanics jumpsuit. He stood a couple feet back, but didn’t move when I showed him the manual.
“I’m, uh, looking for this.” I pointed at a diagram. “It’s, uh, right here, the …”
I looked up and realized that the mechanic wasn’t looking at the diagram. He just stared at me.
“Which part did you need?”
“A belt.”
“What is that? A surface planer?”
“Yes.”
“Poly-belt or chain?”
I squinted to read the small print on the diagram. “Poly-belt,” I said.
The mechanic turned around and walked to the back wall. There was a long board with small hooks holding various belts. I bet there were at least 75 belts to choose from. He grabbed one, almost randomly, and brought it back to the counter.
“This is it. That’s $25. Anything else?”
I looked at the parts diagram, then the belt. Both said 1350 EJ. I was sort of shocked.
“Umm, how about a screw-on handle for a 2001 Milwaukee Magnum Hole Shooter?”
I honestly though that I’d stumped the man. But he turned around, walked back again to the rear of the store, reached into a box and a black plastic handle.
“I bet this is it,” he said. “It’s $4.50.”
I paid him and drove straight home, where I fetched my Milwaukee drill and tried to screw in the handle. Of course, it was a perfect fit.
Tool Pros 10334 Lake City Way NE Seattle, WA 98125 206.525.6448
3 Comments
February 14, 2008 at 8:45 am
The other day you said “Tool Town”, had me stumped, as there is no Tool own on Lake City Way. Tool Pros is the only place I know of to get parts or service for pretty much any electric tool.
February 14, 2008 at 10:48 am
I think that I’m going to bag this writing “career” and go get a power tool repair apprenticeship at Tool Pros.
Perhaps that is my true calling.
November 17, 2008 at 9:50 am
Hello Tim,
A funny thing happened. I Googled “Tool Pros Lake City”. And first up came your site. Great! Thanks for their number!
See ya at Lews after t-day!
DAN COOLEY
(BETTY-B)