Rockler Woodworking & Hardware

I’ve always thought about various woodworking projects I could do. Inevitably, they take a lot of time, space, money and expensive equipment I don’t have. In any case, I wander through here to look at all the toys and imagine all the cool stuff I could build. Every time I’ve had a question, the folks here are super knowledgeable and helpful.
In addition to tools, they have a neat selection of specialty wood as well and all sorts of hardware. I’m seriously thinking about signing up for their classes.

Joseph and David have been really helpful with all the trouble I’ve given them. A couple weeks ago I purchased a mini lathe that I’m continually delighted with. A few days ago it went on sale for $ 100 off and they told me «No problem, bring in the receipt and we’ll take care of it». They credited me the difference (even though I ended up spending most of the money on some new jaws for my lathe!), but was really blown away at how awesome they’ve been. I’m glad they’re local to me because I’m always in there finding stuff for my next project.

Thank you Don and the other members of the sale team that put up with me. This is a total change from box store hell and the prices are not boutique except for some of the wood they sell. A fifth star was added because I have never run into a turd employee. Oh and start carrying the 22.5 degree lock miter because every crazo wants to make a tree shaped bookshelf or their own wood planters. K got that?

Talk about as good as it gets! In addition to the great selection of Rockler products, Rockler Pasadena also has Joe and David, two of the most informed and helpful employees I have encountered… at any store… ever.

I was looking for a router and Don @ Rockler gave me the run down. Thanks to him I came home with an excellent router and good price. Happy to come back for more wood working needs.

Very pleasant experience for a novices novice. Tom was great. He reminded me of family. I met the whole team when I went back I to compliment Tom to his boss. They were all very nice. I would recommend them to anyone. Oh they have wood shutter parts! The only place in the area that has them.

Love this place its like a Toystore for woodworkers. Not only did I get some good wood pieces and kits but I got great advice from woodworkers. Not all Rocklers are the same they all have different varieties of wood

The store is fairly well stocked and orderly. What always gets me here though is the service. Every encounter I’ve ever had with the employees here was great. Pretty knowledgable and willing to share info. It’s a bit of a trek for me to get there, but there are not many stores left that carry stuff they do, so I try to support them when I can.

Was referred to this place by a classmate of mine and would definitely recommend this place to others. Every time I come to the store the workers are extremely friendly and helpful.
Marie helped me out today, and although I had a lot of questions she was very patient and ended up helping me find all the things I needed.
The prices seem reasonable and I will be back for all my woodworking needs.

I highly recommend taking the workshop classes that they offer for a small fee. I took
a class with Don on the safety of using different types of tools such as the table saw,
mitre saw etc and it was well worth my time. He is so knowledgeable.
It was all hands on, using each tool.
If anyone is thinking about using a machine or tool that you know nothing about I
highly recommend going to this place.
I am looking to take other classes in the near future.

James is was incredibly helpful and was a perfect fit for the store. He was very knowledgeable and encouraging of other hobbyists in the store. It is very well organized but can be a little pricey. Always a pleasure to visit.

What a relief! How nice it is to walk into a store and get great friendly, knowledgeable and relaxed service.
Rockler has an amazing amount of selection on line but the Brick & mortar store is limited in what it has in stock although it’s quite good. It only gets four stars for the shipping, due to the size of the store their stock on hand is limited and it would be perfect if they shipped items to you at a Reasonable price to you when they don’t have it in the store like there competitors do. 26 miles is a long way to drive in LA to go get an obscure part and then there out of it.
There shipping is relatively expensive even when you spend over $ 200 so the big box stores & amazon will sometimes get the order to save driving or shipping charges but these guys are very helpful and deserve our patronage.

Clean and well stocked store with a helpful staff who actually know their craft. I got friendly, sound answers to my questions.
How refreshing.

Ridiculously knowledgable!!!
Long story short: I have always enjoyed woodworking. I also never trust myself when it comes to projects. Time and time again, these guys give me the nudge needed to proceed with a project. I honestly could not have completed a few projects with out you!

Everyone in the store is very helpful. I always go here for supplies if I don’t have time to mail order it.

I needed an obscure part for some built ins in my dining room. While searching for the part I needed online, I stumbled upon Rockler. I almost paid $ 7+ for shipping until I discovered they had a store in Pasadena.
I spoke with Mort on the phone and he was very helpful with checking for the part and putting it on hold. When I arrived at the store he was equally as helpful.
I didn’t spend a lot of time in the store itself but it looks like they have tons of odd ball parts. I’ll definitely be coming back!

My friend needed some stuff for his FIDM school project. He found out online that none of the hardware stores (including Home Depot — and he loves shopping there) had what he needs except this place in Pasadena. We went in and ask for help from Don (an elderly gentleman). He was the most wonderful, helpful, knowledgeable sales associate u can dream of. The place had everything my friend needed at good prices, it was very well-​organized. Too bad, it’s a bit far from LA, but we will surely be back. We even took a photo of the store and submitted it as they didn’t have a profile photo on Unilocal yet. We felt the old tradition and professionalism in the store, but hey, we wished all stores were like this in this modern age. People that care and are happy to help you. If the store manager reads this, he should give a bonus to Don.

Rockler is fine when you absolutely must have an obscure router bit or are in the middle of refinishing a project and realize you’re running out of something. Hours aren’t great, but I go there for urgent needs, things I don’t want to wait for buying online.
That said, their prices are high, it often takes a long time to get someone’s attention if you need something out of a case or simply want to pay, some stuff never seems to be in stock, and sometimes it seems they just don’t give a crap. Once recently I needed a router bit and could see it in the case, but they insisted that they were out, even though I saw it on a neighboring (incorrect) peg and pointed it out to the sales guy several times. I had to argue with the guy for a couple minutes before he agreed to open the case. Another time I left a blade to be sharpened, was assured it would be ready a week from the coming Wednesday, and then when I went to pick it up, they couldn’t find it and asked me to try back in another week. I needed the blade, not a shoulder shrug and «try back some other time».
I’ll keep going for stuff I have to have immediately until I find other local suppliers, but it’s not a pleasant place to shop by any means.

I’m a (cute) female who happens to occasionally refinish my furniture! At home depot and OSH I normally get the «hey, there, little lady» bit. Then I start talking and end up being more knowledgeable than the person working! I am pleased to say this was far from the experience I had at Rockler.
Upon arrival, I was promptly assisted. I explained my situation (antique inlay dining table top, or «pain in my a$$»), and asked for an objective opinion. The gentleman assisting me refereed me to another sales associate and decisions were made! I even got a tip that I did NOT know (if using urethane apply full gloss for all the undercoats to prevent clouding!). I NEVER once got a raised eyebrow form the sales personal! I was treated as a customer, nothing more, nothing less.

I was looking for a 12″ heavy duty drawer slider. I went to Home Depot. The shortest was 14″. I went to Lowe’s. The shortest was 18″. I went to Rockler. I had a choice of a three different 12″ sliders that fit my project.
Rockler also has a wide selection of router bits that are a notch up from the stuff found at Home Depot (not that I should buy ¼″ shank bits at Home Depot or elsewhere). The prices on the Rockler bits are also affordable. Right now, they have a sale on select ½″ shank bits. I bought a ¾″ straight bit for $ 10 to replace my old, blackened Skil bit. What a deal!
The staff is consistently helpful, but sometimes a bit slow to ring-​up a purchase. The store is amazing clean considering they cut wood in the store. Their selection of wood used to be better. Years ago, I bought small boards of walnut burl and buckeye burl. I really wish I could get those again.
There is parking in the back. Rosemead is currently under construction so traffic around Rockler sucks.
I’ve also been to the Torrance store, but prefer the staff and wood selection at Pasadena.