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About Us

Acme Tools was founded by George Kuhlman in 1948 as a small electric motor repair shop in downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota. The business was named "ACME" because it represented the highest level or degree attainable - the peak of perfection. The core values back then were simple, offer customers the highest quality products at competitive prices, backed by superior professional service and support. Now two generations and 70 years later, this family owned business has grown to become a major retailer of tools and equipment.

Today, Acme Tools celebrates 70 years of experience serving customers and continues to be one of the premier retailers of tools and equipment with some of the largest first-class showrooms in the nation and the best online tool store in e-commerce. With ten locations in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, Acme Tools serves the contractor, woodworker and do-it-yourselfer with a wide selection of tools and equipment from all the major manufacturers.

70 year logo

Our History:   (70 years of building traditions!)

In 1985 Acme Tools launched a mail order catalog business selling woodworking equipment from print ads in national trade magazines. Later, we pioneered a national catalog business shipping woodworking and construction products throughout the United States and abroad as "Tool Crib of the North."

In the spring of 1999, Acme Tools was one of the first to launch a website selling tools and equipment online. Later that same year, the Internet and catalog businesses were sold to Amazon.com. For the next ten years Acme Tools focused on expanding its Upper Midwest locations in Minnesota and Iowa.

In early 2010 Acme Tools launched a new e-commerce site to provide customers with the renewed convenience of shopping online. The new website offers more than 50,000 products online at AcmeTools.com.

Acme snapshots

Whether you shop in-store, on your smartphone or from our catalog, we hope to save you time and money by serving as a source for products to make your job or project easier and more enjoyable. If there's an item your don't see on our website, in our catalog or in our stores, chances are we stock it or can get it for you. Just ask and we will do our best to find it for you.

Acme showroom

One of our many state-of-the-art showrooms featuring all the major brands

If you're new to Acme Tools, we look forward to the opportunity to serve you; if you're already a customer, as always, we thank you for your business!

Not sold yet on shopping at Acme Tools? Here are 10 reasons why we are a good choice!

10 REASONS: Why Shop Acme Tools? Because it's a smart buy!

  • 1

    Over 70 years of Industry Experience

    Acme Tools has been in business since 1948 and enjoyed over 70 years of business serving the contractor, woodworker and do-it-yourselfer. We are not some start-up company that doesn't understand the business or your needs.

  • 2

    Huge Stock Levels and Vast Selections

    We understand that when you need a tool, you need it now. We pride ourselves on having the lowest out of stock rate of anyone in the industry. Many competitor websites may tell you they have it but what they are really doing is shipping it from the manufacturer, delaying your order. We support ten retail locations and know from experience that customers want and need full-line availability.

  • 3

    Knowledgeable Sales Staff

    Need a technical question answered? We may not have all the answers, but we'll do our best to get you an answer. Our call center is available for expert advice. We are committed to the tool business and we train our sales staff to reflect that commitment, before and after the sale.

  • 4

    Price Guarantee & 30 Day Price Protection

    Buy now and price shop later. At Acme Tools, we pride ourselves on offering you products at guaranteed low prices. From time to time we are not able to see what the competition is doing. We make every effort to give you the lowest price possible. However, our prices won't be beat. Click for details.  Also, if we offer a lower price within 30 days from your date of purchase, we will gladly refund you the difference. Click for details

  • 5

    FREE Shipping

    Currently we offer free shipping on most ground and truck shipments of $199 or more in the 48 contiguous states.

  • 6

    FREE Lift Gate and No Residential Fees

    We offer a free lift gate service which gets your products to the ground for all truck freight shipments. This is the way to go when you're staring at a 600 pound piece of equipment. We also do not charge extra for a residential delivery charge. Many of our competitors charge you for both. Click for details

  • 7

    Fast Order Processing and Great Shipping Rates

    We've all heard the saying "time is money". Most in-stock ground or express orders ship the same day if placed before 12pm central time. In addition to fast order processing, we offer some of the best express air rates in the business. If you needed the product yesterday, take a look at those shipping options.

  • 8

    Great Package Deals

    We work with our manufacturers to put together great packages to give you the best value in a tool purchase. We try to put together a tool package that is complete, so when you order from us, you're ready to go when the tool arrives.

  • 9

    Market Leader with new products

    We make sure we are first to market when it comes to new products. Just click on the "What's New" tab on our website or look for the "New" icon next to many products.

  • 10

    Three Easy Ways to Order:
    Online, Catalog, Retail

    We offer three convenient ways for you to order. You can order from us online, call toll-free, or by visiting one of our 10 locations in the Upper Midwest.

Helpful Links:

Click on the links below to learn more about our company.