Rockler Woodworking & Hardware

Unlike Joe V., I don’t expect participation trophies and people to pretend I’m special every time I go somewhere. Rockler is a terrific store, well stocked and I have never had a bad experience with any of the staff. In my experience the staff goes out of their way to be helpful and friendly, and having been a customer for so long, we all know each other by name. Like any store, there are things available on line and not necessarily in store. It’s actually very common. Still, they have a great selection and quality items. Personally, I’m happy not to run into guys like Joe V there. I go there to buy woodworking items, not to be pampered and have my back rubbed. Try out the store, you will not be disappointed. The reason for four stars and not five is the size of the store, which will be moving to a larger location quite soon.

I like this store. It is a Woodworker’s Nirvana. Everything you need and then some.
They have a nice selection of tools (power and hand). They have a great selection of exotic wood in all shapes and sizes. They have hardware and parts for days. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They are very helpful but not intrusive by any stretch of the imagination. I went in for some non-​mortise hinges. I found them within two minutes of entering the store, yet I spent at least 45 minutes cruising the aisles and playing with the tools.
I watched the video on the «Saw-​Stop» table saw which I had never seen. AMAZING.
Because it is a «Boutique» type of store you will pay more for these things that you buy. But they have a vast selection like I said before. When shopping there I keep in mind what is available at my local Home Depot to try and save a few dollars. For example, I needed eight cabinet door latches (spring and magnet). They have them at five bucks a pop. That’s $ 40. HD has them for about $ 2. If you are on a budget, you have to be careful and not get carried away.

Love this place and it always makes me wish I had a shop to put all those amazing tools. But even for a part time hacker like me, this place has everything you need for woodworking and home projects. Love it!

Love the selection of tools and machinery here. This is not your typical home depot/​lowes hardware store. Rockler specialized in woodworking, and has exponentially more options when it comes to cabinetry, slides, tools, jigs, etc.
The staff is always quite helpful, and they also have weekend classes for free! Pricing is retail, and parking is usually easy enough, though only a few spaces are in the front.
Located right off of Hawthorne blvd. I’m glad to have a local specialty store as an option to any projects I do.

Wow! It’s Christmas for folks that are in the hunt for woodworking tools and supplies!

Rockler is fantastic. Both the business and staff. Lou is so helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks

this store has got to be the worst store when it comes to customer service! they have nice tools and interesting items but when it comes to the management and the employees, they have got to be some of the most laziest and unwilling to help i have ever seen. they never have anything is stock nor do they know if it was ordered. when i ask will it be ordred? i get a response like «if the computer orders it» WTF is that??? and thats from the management… Lazy Lazy Lazy!!! I would rather drive across town for better customer service at the pasadena store!!!

I first wrote a Unilocal review on Rockler in 2009 and since then I credit Rockler for piquing my interest in the art of woodworking. With so many hardware stores around, why go to Rockler? Rockler specializes in woodworking and all their staff is knowledgeable in woodworking. They are friendly and super helpful. If you have a question on how to do something, someone at Rockler will probable know AND give you the right answer. The store is clean, organized and well stocked. That is, they are well stocked with high quality tools, equipment and woodworking supplies. Whether you are a pro or a beginner trying out woodworking, go to Rockler and save yourself from regretting buying something cheap and won’t do the job right.
Next time? Gonna take one of their woodworking demo/​classes.

I was very impressed with how nice the employees were here and how very helpful they were. They helped me with my project that was a bit complicated and even drilled a hole in the cabinet for me, as the bits were too large for my old drill. Now thinking about taking a woodworking class. Impressed and will be back!!!

I got to say after having some great sessions at the Pasadena Rockler store (see my earlier review), the Torrance location is pretty disappointing with the energy and lack of experience that the staff give off, it’s sort of depressing.
I hate writing this and I’m sure others will object to it but I did wait to write this and after today and speaking to others it was time.
Having a store like Rockler is awesome and it’s quite expensive but with paying top price you should have top experienced & happy staff helping you, otherwise why go?
I do get this at the Pasadena store and always spend more than I intended but still walk out with a smile.
As we all know, It’s too easy to shop on-​line and driving anywhere in LA can take ages so it’s not always easy or practical to go so it needs to be worth it.
I get totally different experiences between the Pasadena store and the Torrance store and realizing how much a difference good staff can make.

I’ve been going to Rockler for many years. I know all the guys by name and so I better give them a good review! Really it’s easy because they do a great job and most of them have been there for several years so they know their products well.
I am a professional woodworker and I have been to many woodworking stores around the country. Rockler tries to cater to beginners through experts with tools and supplies you won’t find at Home Depot. While the lumber prices are a bit high the tools and expendables are reasonable, especially if you get on the e-​mail list for the frequent sales and discount coupons.

Great store for woodworking hobbiest. Great selection, prices are good, small enough not to get lost, yet big enough to roam the aisles and buy some extra tools for the homeshop.

I’ve been in numerous times, and often they won’t have something in stock that their system says is there. They told me to come back some another time. I’ve been in to buy things in the ads and came a day early so not only could they not give me a discount (I’ll grant them some leeway there) but the UPC code didn’t work! They couldn’t even sell items they had on their shelves even if they wanted to. The store is likely run by ex-​hobbyists who work out of their garages; great for simple items or if you’re in a rush and don’t have time to either order online or go to a place like Anderson or Westwood Tool.

Since the Rockler in Pasadena, didn’t have the sandpaper grit I was looking for; this place here was my next best thing! I guess «the little old lady from Pasadena,» must have bought the whole entire stock. Just kidding. Nonetheless, they had what I wanted and a whole lot more! I ended up spending more than I anticipated. They had a supply of red oak for $ 2.99 a board foot. As a result, I ended up buying 25 board ft. Deals like this don’t come too often.

Ditto to everything Eddie said. Only to add that becase of the wonderful variety of tools they carry, this store should be on the radar for anyone who is involved in various heavy-​duty crafts and is looking for hard-​to-​find tools and the like. The guys who work here are very knowledgeable about what they carry and are artisans themselves. Don’t forget to check out the gorgeous blocks of burl and huge exotic wood slabs toward the back of the building!!!