EXHIBIT 99.2
                      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

         In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of MSC Industrial
Direct Co., Inc. (the "Company") for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), I, Charles Boehlke, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify,
pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

         (1)      the Report fully  complies  with the  requirements  of section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Company.


By: /s/ Charles Boehlke
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Name:    Charles Boehlke
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Chief Financial Officer
November 22, 2002