Acme Tools is a US tool retailer, founded in Grand Forks, North Dakota, selling power tools, hand tools, outdoor power equipment and workwear from brands such as Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, GearWrench and Carhartt. Acme Tools has stores in several Midwest states and ships nationwide.
Most bad tool orders are really platform mistakes. The Acme Tools order that goes well starts with the battery system, then the tool.
Pick a battery platform first
Cordless tools run on brand-specific batteries. A Milwaukee M18 battery will not fit a DeWalt 20V MAX drill without a third-party adapter, and adapters can affect warranties.
If you already own batteries, stay on that platform. Buying bare tools for batteries you have is the cheapest way to grow a kit at Acme Tools.
If you are starting fresh, choose the platform with the widest range of tools you are likely to need, not the one with the cheapest drill today.
Brands also run separate voltage lines. Milwaukee's M12 is compact for light work, and M18 is the full-size range. DeWalt's FLEXVOLT batteries also work in its 20V MAX tools. Check compatibility on each Acme Tools listing.
Kit or bare tool
A kit includes the tool, one or more batteries, a charger and often a bag or case. It is the right first purchase on a new platform.
A bare tool, often listed as tool only, is just the tool. It is much cheaper if you already have batteries.
Combo kits of two or more tools sharing batteries are often the best value per tool when starting out. Check that you will use every tool in the combo before counting the saving.
Reading the specs on Acme Tools listings
Brushless motors run cooler, last longer and get more work from each charge than brushed motors. They cost more and are worth it for regular use.
Amp-hours (Ah) measure battery capacity. A higher Ah battery runs longer but is heavier. Compact batteries suit drills and overhead work; larger packs suit saws and grinders.
Torque matters for drills, impact drivers and impact wrenches, and RPM for saws and grinders. Compare like with like across brands.
Check the chuck size on drills and the blade diameter on saws. Replacement bits and blades must match.
For hand tools, check the drive size on ratchets and sockets, and whether a set is metric, SAE or both.
Bonus tools and free-gift promotions
Tool brands regularly run buy-a-kit, get-a-free-tool or battery promotions, and Acme Tools passes many of them on. They are often worth more than a percentage code.
Read the qualifying list carefully. The free tool usually has to be added to the cart, and only specific kits qualify.
Brand promotions at Acme Tools tend to peak around Father's Day, Black Friday and the end of the year.
Warranty, shipping and returns
Tool warranties come from the manufacturer, and their length varies by brand and line. Register tools with the manufacturer where it is required.
Acme Tools has offered free shipping on many orders over a threshold, and in-store pickup at its locations. Check the current threshold and the return window, especially for opened or used tools.
Keep the Acme Tools receipt with the tool. Manufacturers usually ask for proof of purchase on warranty claims.
Outdoor equipment and workwear at Acme Tools
Acme Tools also sells outdoor power equipment: mowers, string trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and generators, in both battery and gas-powered versions.
The platform rule applies outdoors too. Milwaukee, DeWalt and Makita sell outdoor tools on the same batteries as their drills, so an Acme Tools buyer already on one of those platforms can often buy the outdoor tool bare.
Large items such as mowers and generators may ship by freight or be available for pickup only. Check the delivery options, any assembly needed and the return conditions on the Acme Tools listing before ordering.
For Carhartt and other workwear, use the brand's own size chart. Carhartt labels its fits, such as relaxed or loose, and they run fuller than typical casual clothing. Check the Acme Tools policy on returning worn or washed items.
Where the Acme Tools savings are
Big power tool brands such as Milwaukee and DeWalt often restrict discounting, so Acme Tools codes may not apply to them. Expect codes to work best on hand tools, accessories and workwear.
GeARWRENCH20 is, by its name, aimed at GearWrench ratchets, sockets and wrenches. It suits a mechanic's basket.
CLEAR20's name suggests clearance items. A further 20% off a marked-down tool is often the lowest price you will see at Acme Tools.
The $10 code beats 20% only on orders under $50, such as blades, bits or gloves. Codes are generally one per order, so compare a code with any bonus-tool deal on the same item first.
Common questions
Should I buy a kit or a bare tool at Acme Tools?
A kit if you are new to that battery platform; a bare tool if you already own compatible batteries.
Can I mix batteries between brands?
Not natively. Batteries fit only their own brand's platform. Third-party adapters exist but can affect warranties.
Why didn't my Acme Tools code work on a Milwaukee tool?
Major brands often set pricing rules that exclude them from codes. Try it on other items, or look for a bonus-tool promotion instead.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| $10 off | Promo code | View at Acme Tools → |
| $10 off | Promo code | View at Acme Tools → |
| $10 off | Promo code | View at Acme Tools → |
| $10 off | Promo code | View at Acme Tools → |