US made mid level tool market? why can't they see this? -long

[Alchymist]

Have to go with the mixed brands - got over 200 different names in my garage. Here's a link to the discussion:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=102485

[shoturtle]

SK was in allot of auto parts stores in the past, but they were to expensive for a mid grade tool. They were way more in the craftsman in the 80's and 90's and pretty much disappear in allot of auto part shops.

Also with small auto parts chains given way to the larger chains that carry their own brand, SK had a really hard time. Price of mid grade tools got force down with the expansion of stores like autozone and pepboys.

Craftsman made a mistake by not modernizing of sears stores vs trying to be an online retailer. They did not react fast enough to the higher volume tools from hd, lowers and hf.

[geologist]

I suppose I'm finicky. Would I like to have 100% matched tools? Of course. Would I love to have nothing but Snap-on, oh hell yeah. Do I? Nope.

I go with what works best for me and prefer to buy US made tools. I have Channellock screwdrivers that work just fine, although I might eventually invest in some Wiha drivers. I have an Estwing rock hammer that I use in my field (geology) daily. I have Vaughan ball peens, Craftsman (US) wrenches, Kobalt stubby and crossform wrenches (gift), mostly Black & Decker and Bosch power tools, and Craftsman tool boxes. I have some SK and Armstrong stuff that I picked up from flea markets as well.

If I were to upgrade, anything, I would invest in a full set of SK Superkrome polished wrenches, a Snap-on torque wrench, and a Masterforce roller, and that's because I liked the feel of them. Would other brands work? Yeah, and I think I'm proof of that.

In my case, I bought the tools that felt the best for me, and held as true as possible to buying American made (whenever possible).

[shoturtle]

Think that majority of the members have a wide assortment of brands. There are some die hards that only by one or 2 brands only.

I have craftsmen, proto, wiha, wera, proxxon, channellock, kline, kolbolt, lux, matador, bosch, knipex, powerbuilt, hitachi, BGS, and couple of others. I break it down to what I used frequently and what I rearly use. On the items I used allot, I get the best i can afford, on the items I rearly used, I get the best in the price point I place on that item. Normally I go with the taiwan tools in those cases.