Im new to pen turning and the staff at Rockler has been very helpful with getting me started. My family had a lathe sitting in our garage for almost a decade, and recently I decided I wanted to pick up the hobby. The staff at Rockler helped me acquire the resources and knowledge to turn my first pens. I have now turned almost 30 pens! Though I am only a beginner in the hobby, Rockler has had everything Ive needed. In addition to their great inventory, the store has a staff that is knowledgeable, passionate about what they do, and willing to help. Robert and Mike have both been especially helpful because they have taken the time to look at my work and they have given me tips on how to improve. If you are looking to get started with pen turning, Rockler is the place to go.

This was our first time at Rocklers looking for live edge wood and they didn’t disappoint. Small but nice selection of several varieties with reasonable prices. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. We walked away with a beautiful piece of black walnut and a slab of black acacia.

So so happy with this place. We went in clueless about how to seal our wood floors and one man spent an hour with us explaining it and helping us find the tools we needed. Was very patient with us when the color wasn’t right or we had more questions. Another employee was fawning over our dog giving her treats and she fell in love with him. Would definitely go back when we need more stuff. Thank you Rockler!

Three times I’ve been to this store and three times the staff have been inattentive. Seldom do I get asked if I need help. I’d actually give this place 0 stars, but the products they have are very good. But the staff here are killing any goodwill the corporation has. I’ve had far better service from this company from corporate online sales. But this local store is for the birds.

My friend and I took the charcuterie board class. Brandon was so helpful in making sure that our projects turned out fabulous. The store also has beautiful pieces of exotic hardwoods that inspired our next project.

My review for Brandons Knife Making Class. As a former soldier, I have been to many training classes. We were taught attention to detail is a must. Brandon teaches this way. He patiently takes you through each step before you begin. He answers any question and provides a detailed explanation. Once a step of the process is complete, he will explain the next step. This makes it easy to execute the . This process continues till the project is finished. Presto you have a beautiful, custom hunting or folding pocket knife. I highly recommend that you take one of these classes. I look forward to taking future classes with Brandon.

Stuff is really high quality, but pricey. You get what you pay for. Wether you are a new or old woodworker, you can find stuff to help with very specific situations. And a decent collection of wood for high end projects.

Staff is AMAZINGLY well informed and helpful! Every time I come in with a question they have multiple excellent answers. I am a novice woodworker and get stumped - They always have the answers. Their great selection of quality supplies is wonderful to have handy. Today they helped me solve my finishing question - I came home with their recommendation and it turned my project around - In a good way! thanks

I brought along a broken table leg to get some advice on how to best repair it and my expectations were exceeded! The first fellow, an eager & pleasant fellow helped me diagnose what size dowels i would need. He then referred me to Mike (store manager) who was the guru of all things wood working. Suggested a very simple method of bracing the legs for additional support. He said you could buy these metal brackets, but suggested a simpler (& cheaper) method would be his 1st choice. He was wise & provided excellent customer support. Very good selection of wood working supplies and excellent customer service for a fairly small purchase of some glue, dowels & misc. Rarely do you get such pleasant & knowledgeable service. Enthusiastic thumbs up!

Ive never written a review before, but the service and support at Rockler helped take my project from I sure hope this works, to Wow, that finish came out awesome! Mike guided me through selecting and applying the dyes and stains that brought out the best of my project. Always helpful, always friendly, and a wealth of knowledge. Thanks again!

Quite possibly my favorite place to buy tools and hardware for small project, though they do carry an arsenal of tools for every project, large or small. Because they are a smaller store, the staff are far more attentive and courteous than Home Depot or Lowes. During my visit today, there was 5 people there with as many customers. The big box stores for their size dont seem to ever have enough people for the amount of visitors they have roaming their aisles invariably looking lost.

Good woodworking store, friendly staff. Some items are a little cheaper online.

I was looking for an item only this store had, a wooden glide for an old broken drawer I had that needed repair. I had been looking all over and needed it ASAP. I called & they were so kind over the phone, put the item in stock on hold & made it easy for me to walk right it, buy it & be on my way! Thank you so much for the great customer service!

Ive shopped here several times now and really like the place. The employees are very helpful if you have any questions. I asked about a wood lathe tool and they had an employee with over 20yrs experience on the lathe who demonstrated its use. There were some examples of his very nice work in the store. The prices are, fairly, competitive with online stores.

Amazing staff. Very friendly. I can build them but when it comes to finishes, I’m not great, but with the Staff’s help, especially the general manager, you’d think I’m an expert. Very knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to all the different finishes, preparations and applications. I’ve been going to this store since I moved to San Diego 13 years ago, and will continue to shop there.

I needed to replace a couple of drawer sliders on a custom armoire from 30 years ago. Thanks to the assistance of the guys in the store I was able to get the perfect replacement items. Expect they will need to be replaced in another 30, however will be back before then.

Great place, very helpful staff. Please look here before you go to a big box. The staff know what they are talking about and want to make sure that you are set up for success.

Great store, extremely helpful and knowledgeable staff. The staff is very friendly and more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

This is the very best store they have. I wanted to purchase a new band saw and they spent several hours going through different models and features! Extremely knowledgeable! I wanted to keep my purchase local and help everyone. It was the best choice!! It’s nice to see a business that still takes customer service seriously! They were very busy and still took the time to help me with my choice. They also give military discounts! If your looking for help or need advice, these are the people to go see!Matt Stringfield

Did the pen turning class with Brandon. It was awesome

Experienced and knowledgeable staff, great selection of quality products - these guys have what you need. I was looking for advice and supplies for refinishing an antique maple dresser, and they had both in spades.

Rockler SD has a great selection of woodworking tools, supplies and resources. Overall the staff is extremely helpful, knowledgeable and all seem to be woodworking enthusiast.Fortuitously, I decided to start the woodworking hobby this year, (worked out perfectly with COVID...about the only benefit).Over this time, I have purchased from Rockler the Laguna Revo 1216 lathe; two SawStop table saws, (first the Job Site which I sold after two mths on CS so I could get the big boy, (at least big for my garage), the Professional Cab Saw, 3hp... way cool. And of course, I have purchased a sundry of hand tools, implements and supplies.To a fault, the staff has been patient, (with my many newbie questions), and have been really helpful in providing advice, perspective and suggestions. Its great when the people you interact with become your friends!Without hesitation, I highly recommend this store and am appreciative of their attitudes and passion.

Rockler is a high-end woodworking store that has loads of great products. They have a knowledgeable, friendly staff and the store owner Mike is a wonderful guy. If you are a woodworker you have to visit Rockler if you havent already.

Most knowledgeable and helpful staff for any woodworking restoration project.

Great store for woodworkers, lots of specialty tools, good selection of wood, and a great helpful staff.

Great experience!!! My husband, Tom, worked with Albert, the store manager and he was so knowledgeable and helpful! He helped us find what we needed and he even helped us design a future dust collection system.

I dont get to do as many woodworking projects as Id like after retirement and moving into a condo, but Im doing a small project for my daughter and needed some hardware. It was such a joy to return to Rocklers! Although I found what I needed in just a couple of minutes (and what wasnt available in any form at Home Depot ...) I found myself spending an extra half hour just browsing and enjoying the extensive collection of tools and material. Highly recommend for both the products and the friendly, helpful staff!

First time there and must go back when I have more time to browse. They have some very unique woodworking tools and exotic woods.

What can I say other than this place is awesome. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Before I purchased my SawStop PCS from them, I probably went into the store 5 to 7 times. Asking questions, looking around and taking up their time. Never once did they get bothered or try to brush me off. Mike the manager is great, nice guy and knowledgeable! Also Robert as well, He spent a far amount of time with me last week discussing Dust Collectors and help me pick out a unit that will help me! Glad that they are around!!!

Very helpful, employees were nice and knowledgeable. We brought our dog in and they asked if he could have a treat before giving him one. After a great experience they helped carry my lumber to my car! Will go back! Exactly what I expect from Rockler.

Was reminded this morning why I love my local Rockler. Quality tools that always deliver quality results and a staff that understands the needs of both my hobby and boutique business needs. It’s great having knowledgeable staff that can share ideas and brainstorm through product and project challenges.Thanks,Nathan

Nice store. I received solid guidance from their sales people.

I love the customer service, they are very nice and dont talk down to you. Whether I need to learn about wood turning, butcher block oils and finishes, power tools or wood carving, they have someone there that knows about it. Very helpful!!!

I visited Rockler last week to shop for a paint sprayer and other supplies for my furniture restoration business. The staff at Rockler are superb. I could not have asked for better customer service.The manager of the store - Mike Durlak, spent over 20 minutes with me, reviewing the available paint sprayers and discussing how to operate and care for the sprayer as well as the warranty details and how to keep the unit from being damaged. After Mike rang up my purchase, he helped load the sprayer in my vehicle and said to be sure to call him any time if I needed help operating the sprayer.I could not have asked for a better experience and I highly recommend using Rockler for all of your woodworking and hardware supplies.

I love this store. The Rockler team is very friendly and helpful. The manager, Mike, is very knowledgeable on all of the products Rockler sells. They have a great selection of all things in woodworking--I usually spend at least an hour and a half looking at everything in the store. They have great events on most Saturdays showcasing specific products and / or Make-n-Take projects for beginning and intermediate woodworkers. I love this store! Happy 65th Anniversary, Rockler!

Everything one needs to take on any type of wood-related project. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Amazing store and team! Very informative and they take the time to help you find what you need for the job. Mike went out of his way to help us (and also save us time and money) find the right tools for our small business. Thanks Team Rockler San Diego!

I visited Rockler in my quest for a table saw. The staff here was so knowledgable and helpful. They not only took the time to discuss my needs, budget, and the different options, but they gave me space to make a decision. I visit 3 times before making a purchase. Each visit they remembered me and were eager to help and answer questions. So happy with Table Saw. And this customer experience makes me eager to return and shop here. Thank you Rockler

The help in the store was fantastic. I am a do it yourself person with no training. They explained all the qualities of the products I was considering. Explained how to use the product with tips for a great result and how to make it easy. Mike Durlak helped me and I look forward to a new project with their help. My project was refinishing an old mahogany claw foot table.

It is really helpful to have a place in town where the serious woodworker can go to find tools and supplies one can trust. Rockler has made it easier for me to find what I need to improve as a woodworker, including advice from some really helpful and talented staff.

Best Shop in town for quality tools and supplies, but Rockler really shines because of the staff. I work with high end materials so getting sound advice the first time saves me a fortune. I go directly to Mike for advanced finishing advice.

Fabulous Larry was so very helpful thanks 😊

Couldnt find what I was looking for but otherwise nice shop

The sales team is very helpful and friendly at this Rockler location. Inventory has been down due to COVID19 IMHO but thats how it is right now. But a great store and very helpful sales team!

Had a great experience last week in store. Mike was beyond helpful. I had to pick something up for my husband and had no idea where to start. He pointed me in right direction and i was in and out with what I needed.

This store rocks!! The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. I came in asking some question and they helped more than I expected. It pretty cool when the people who work there are also woodworkers who have tips and tricks to help you with your projects.

Rockler San Diego is more than a wood store, it is my woodshop away from home. Mike, Albert, Skip, and the rest of the team are absolute fonts of knowledge, advice, and witty humor. I have never felt like learning woodworking was so accessible and friendly. Mike has a commitment to quality and service that are unparalleled in my experience. Every major tool and wood I buy is from his store. Don’t buy online, don’t go to a big box, go to Rockler San Diego.

Great place to buy all types of tools and beautiful wood

Ive been getting back into woodworking lately and have made a few trips to Rockler. They have a great selection of things I need and things I didnt know I needed. Today I returned an item I had purchased online but didnt need and then purchased a Kreg Jig which Im excited to put to good use. The staff have been friendly each time Ive visited and Ill definitely return.

Outstanding service, great selection of everything woodworking. Staff was awesome, very helpful and great to deal with. Knowledgeable and quick with helpful advice!

One of the best hardware sore for wood workers in San Diego.Staff is always ready to give you a hand to find what you are looking for, or advising you on the tools you are looking for. Will always look to them first when purchasing any woodworking tools.

If you ever need to return an item don’t forget your receipt even if you paid with a card and your phone number is on file. But most importantly make sure an employee sees you come in with said items. Even if the first thing you do is get in line. Otherwise they’ll assume you stole them and have to call over the manager for your refund.

Mike was awesome. Very knowledgeable about stains and finishing. Thanks again

The customer service, in particular the store manager, Mike D. is awesome!!Mike went WAY out of his way to help me out with an issue i encountered with a purchased item. Im a customer for life!!

Customer service is top notch, even when the phones are ringing off the hook and the store is full of people needing help. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff!

On the phone and in store I get the feeling Im bothering the employees, i dont appreciate the labored response when asking for a check stock and price. It makes me not want to return to the store, especially when I can either shop online or go elsewhere. I dont want to bash the store based on my 4 encounters, but I think thats enough to offer feedback.As a pro in the trades, I see a lot of walk-ins when Im at supply houses, and I really dont think its appropriate for a person in a position of knowledge to be so unaccommodating. I dont think this is any different.

Mike and team have been very helpful. Today Mike went out of his way to help answer questions I had in regards to a block plane. Great customer service

We took the cutting board class and it was really fun. The teacher was really funny and we learned a lot. He answered all of questions and taught us how to use new tools. I would highly recommend the classes to everyone.

Staff is always very helpful. Everyone was wearing a mask and physically distancing.

They always have what I need! I drive 45 miles to get there because of the service and the ability to actually check things in person. Top notch people there that go out of their way to be helpful!

I always like shopping at this Rockler store. Year on year they are stocked better. The staff is helpful. I just wish that they carried full sheets of apple ply and birch.

Friendly helping staff. They have everything for your wood working needs.

Excellent customer service. Everyone wad extremely nice and knowledgable.

Brought in an old rocking chair that needed repair. Mike was very helpful in explaining in detail the options that I had. Really appreciated his expertise. Two other employees also gave advice. Will definitely return. Very satisfied. 😃

Heaven for woodworkers and woodworking. Their inventory seemed lower than usual, I suspect a lot of people have been picking up the hobby.

Great experience today at Rockler Woodworking in Kearny Mesa. Mike was so helpful with all my questions regarding a project I am working on even testing different wood stains to help me match a table. Will definitely be returning soon! Thank you for your help! They have so many fun things to make there and great tools! Definitely a great place to shop for xmas!

Great prices, great staff. If they don’t have the answer, they will go out of their way to help as much as they can.

First time visiting the store in several years. Waited for a few minutes for someone to ask if I needed help but nobody came. Two men at the counter shooting the breeze. Asked them for help and one of them reluctantly agreed. While he was supposed to be showing me to a product another customer asked him a question and he totally focused on the other customer and forgot I existed. Told them I would look elsewhere.Good products but bad service.Edit: In the few months since initial review I have had good service and bad service. It seems to depend on who is working, what time of day it is, and how many staff members are on duty. Management should still spend some time analyzing the operation to ensure consistent quality of service.

Great place to outfit your home woodworking shop. Can be kinda expensive however.

I love this store. The sales associates are very friendly and helpful. They have great insight on woodworking tools and hardware. Highly recommend this place for all of your woodworking needs.

When the saw model I ordered online was going to be on back order for months Rockler sold me their floor/display model to help me out. Great customer service!

Excellent, helpful, knowledgeable staff!! Great selection! Ample free parking!

I ordered a Laguna BX14 BandSaw from the Rockler Store on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego. Due to Covid 19 - related manufacturing issues I was told that it could be as late as August or September before it would be available. After letting Mike (Store Manager) know that I really did need it as soon as possible, he went to work to try to find one somewhere in their system. Two days later I received a call saying that he had located a saw and that he had personally, and immediately, made the trip to the Orange County store to pick it up and that it was waiting at the local store for pickup. I went right over and picked it up and it is now functioning very well in my shop. I had similar great Customer support a few years ago when I bought a SawStop TableSaw from them. Kudos to the Mike, Alberto, and the others for great service at the SD Rockler store.

So helpful and knowledgeable— and dog friendly, too. We’ll be back!

Always helpful and friendly

Ive been here many times and they have always been super helpful. I bought a card scraper and the guy helping me showed how to use and sharpen it. Great service for sure.*Edit - I just bought a lathe here last weekend and the service is above and beyond. I got schooled on on everything that I asked about and more. Such a refreshing shopping experience.

Im a young guy and I thought the gents in there were super helpful and cool. They were on point for me, helped me with everything I needed and were eager to lend advice and knowledge. Im going tomorrow to spend some coin on new tools and will always buy there rather than online... theres value in buying from a shop and from folks that will help you.... Tip top shop in my book, sorry about some of the people in the other reviews...

Excellent quality suppliesHelpful staffThese guys really know how to helpGreat teaching classesSupport San Diego Fine Woodworkers and our shop.

Everyone here was so nice and helpful. They even gave my dog some treats! Thank you!

Attitude, attitude, attitude. The customer service is awful. As I entered I said hi to the guy at the register, no response. I walked around and saw one employee helping someone out. So I asked someone else to help and no response. The young guy helping the other person finished and asked if I needed help. I guess he was new, because he didnt know if they had what I was looking for and he was young, so he asked the guy at the register where it was. That was a big mistake, because he didnt help at all, at one point he refused to answer him. The guy helping me looked in the computer and found where it was. This place needs to change. The reason people shop on Amazon is because of customer service like this. I hope the guy that helped me out gets a better team of employees very soon.

If you have woodworker questions about would work or need tools this is the place to go. The people working there are knowledgeable and helpful and local. You might be able to find the same things online but nowhere near the personalized service that comes from having people who know their stuff. I even heard them refer people to other lumber yards to get wood. This is not your Home Depot or Lowes this is the place to go when you really want to know about the tools available and equipment. I like to refer to it as my adult toy store. And I dont mean in the XXX variety of adult.

The customer service at this location is often not friendly. Yesterday was a case in point. I showed a discount card to the guy helping me and he did not acknowledge it. When I asked him about it, he seemed irritated that I asked the question. Some guys who work there do a good job, but there are others who seem to not like working there.

I bought an excelsior lathe and turning kit almost 3 weeks ago. Last night, I had a problem with the tail stock and called the store for some suggestions (btw they have a plethora of knowledge). They asked me to bring it in, since I was having a hard time explaining and once there figured out what was wrong.Here’s where it gets good. Instead of ordering a new tail stock, waiting for it to come in, and me coming back up there...the part was replaced right then. I can’t speak enough about the customer service and atmosphere of this place and it’s employees.

Been going to this store for many years and every time I enter the store everyone and I mean everyone ignores me. Ill walk up to ask for help and they will slowly turn and walk in the other direction. Told my wife the strange treatment and she didnt believe me, until I took her with me once - she was astounded how everyone totally ignored me.Once I walked up to a salesman stacking clamps on a table and stood about 2 feet from him, waiting for him to ask me if he could help me, but he never acknowledged me. I walked away totally pissed.I started to think that it was my ethic background because right after I walked in another gentleman walked in and they were all Hi, Can I help you?I asked the salesman once if he knew my ethnic background - He got all weird and said no, I decided not to torture him so I told him how everyone treats me every time I came in and I started to think it was my ethnic background - he said sorry! but wasnt concern and tried to change the subject.If there was another wood worker store of this caliber I would never set foot in this store again..

Inside for over 20 minutes before anyone asked for help. When I explained what I was looking for, he said look over there with a wave of his hand. I couldnt believe the horrible response, and this wasnt some zit faced millennial teen. This was a grown man. Im not looking for the world to be handed to me, but I wasnt sure what I was looking for in the store, I just had a problem, and saying go over there vaguely doesnt help.

I was ignored for 15 mins before an employee acknowledged I was in his way. Heard an employee take a call on the shop line and turn it to a sales pitch for his personal business in less than a minute. Left without being helped and empty handed.

I am a bit reluctant to write this review, after reading other reviews however, I see that there is a pattern of poor customer service at this Rockler location. I used to visit the Pasadena store before I moved to the San Diego area and the customer service was significantly better there. For the sake of brevity, let me just say that in the span of one transaction I was both screwed over and insulted after I have tried to be understanding and accommodating.

Great folks in there. Mike has been extremely helpful! I have enjoyed my projects made easier and more professional with your assistance. If management read sis, giving raises!Thanks!

Highly recommend the weekend classes! Staff is super helpful

Great Staff! Always ready to answer questions for all levels of Customers experience. Paul stayed with me for about 20 minutes answering every question I had; even helped me find answers to questions I hadnt thought of!

Great quality tools. Everything you need from novice to craftsman. Knowledgeable and helpful people.

A great company and I deal with them often, good price and friendly staff who are very helpful.

Usually OK, but the last time I was there I was shopping for a router bit.After I finally got the only available clerks attention and he was just about to unlock the cabinet so I could grab my bit the phone rang.That jerk stayed on the phone for a good 7 minutes (I timed him) totally ignoring me before I walked out.Finally got the bit at Lowes.

This is a woodworkers toy store for real! Went here for a digital angle guage and found lots more stuff that I now have to have.

I needed help with the process for refinishing a cabinet and they patiently went through what I should do. I got the right sandpaper and stain and they helped me find a match.

These guys really know what they are doing! This kind of place is hard to find and with the skills and knowledge they have here, it is priceless!

Excellent service, everyone goes above and beyond to help and recommend, highly recommendable

Great selection and super helpful staff

I can not say enough good things about this store, the sales staff or the Manager Mike. I was in some serious need of guidance and help and they more than helped me resolve the issue. Along with providing me tips and tricks for many other projects I was working on.I will note bringing pictures of your job and prior projects helps immensely.

Best woodworking store ever