OTC Tools

Canadian Charlie · Jun 11, 2009

I was over on the "Summit Racing" website getting a carb when I clicked onto the tool section and noticed these tools. Does anyone have any experience with them, USA or foriegn made?

Seems that most of their items come in a blow molded case and not thrown into a palstic bag

LGMechanical · Jun 11, 2009

my mac tools dealer sells otc stuff and I am considering buying the set of strikable prybars for $60 cdn. comes in a set of 3. im not sure of the quality though.

krooser · Jun 11, 2009

Made of high quality steel in Owatonna, MN by your fellow Americans... one of which is a member here.

brockstar · Jun 11, 2009

I bought an OTC ball joint separator based on GJ reviews and I assumed it was USA made, instead found out it is made in Taiwan. That is not a knock against the tool IMHO - but I would advise against assuming all OTC is US made. Again, if origin is a big deal to you. The tools works fine, but Toptuls version looks dead on the same..

ricleh · Jun 11, 2009

OTC tools are generally very good. Some are made in USA and some are imported.

MAD · Jun 11, 2009

LGMechanical said:
my mac tools dealer sells otc stuff and I am considering buying the set of strikable prybars for $60 cdn. comes in a set of 3. im not sure of the quality though.

The blue and black OTC pry bars with the striking caps are made in China. (Mainland China not Taiwan) if that is something that matters to you.

johnny1290 · Jun 11, 2009

ricleh said:
OTC tools are generally very good. Some are made in USA and some are imported.

exactly what I would have said :thumbup:

LGMechanical · Jun 11, 2009

MAD said:
The blue and black OTC pry bars with the striking caps are made in China. (Mainland China not Taiwan) if that is something that matters to you.

well scratch that then

thanks.

nate379 · Jun 11, 2009

OTC is a very common tool company, just they are kind of "hidden" They deal more so with specialty stuff. Pullers, special sockets, etc. I know for sure a lot of the Blue Point stuff is OTC... some Snap On stuff as well. Some of the Craftsman stuff same deal.

Doesn't bother me if it's made in China, South American, Pakistan, Antarctica. If the tools are good, that's what matters.

LGMechanical · Jun 11, 2009

nate379 said:
OTC is a very common tool company, just they are kind of "hidden" They deal more so with specialty stuff. Pullers, special sockets, etc. I know for sure a lot of the Blue Point stuff is OTC... some Snap On stuff as well. Some of the Craftsman stuff same deal.

Doesn't bother me if it's made in China, South American, Pakistan, Antarctica. If the tools are good, that's what matters.

I've had china pry bars before. They bend pretty easily. Does anyone own a set? I'd love to know how they are.

Big Bad Jon · Jun 11, 2009

LGMechanical said:
I've had china pry bars before. They bend pretty easily. Does anyone own a set? I'd love to know how they are.

I have states several times before that I have a rule that if using a tool can cause you harm if it fails. Buy Snap on. I think paying a bit extra for a good pry bar set is worth it. As far as other OTC tools, especially specialty suspension tools, they are great!

MAD · Jun 11, 2009

LGMechanical said:
I've had china pry bars before. They bend pretty easily. Does anyone own a set? I'd love to know how they are.

I have a set of them, that is how I know they are made in China. They seem good. They are much heavier than the typical Harbor Freight type bars. I don't use pry bars every day these days so I can't really judge them yet, but they are holding up. I lucked into a six piece set from 8" - 36" for around 20 bucks so I really can't complain.

Given the fact that Mayhew pry bars can usually be had for around the same price, and they are made with pride by my neighbors here in western MA, I would have to recommend Mayhew or the Craftsman Professional branded Mayhew pry bars over the OTCs.

myslow2002gt · Jun 11, 2009

OTC pullers are my favorite.

The OTC "stinger" series line of tools is non-USA made though, so I'd suggest staying away from them.

MAD · Jun 11, 2009

myslow2002gt said:
The OTC "stinger" series line of tools is non-USA made though, so I'd suggest staying away from them.

You can't tell the country of origin anymore by looking for the "Stinger" branding. The last three new OTC (non-Stinger) tools that I bought were all Imported.

Pry bars -China

Slide hammer kit -Taiwan

Fuel pressure test kit - gauge, made in Brazil. Some fittings marked "India". The package had an American flag and "Made in USA" though. I guess that referred to the package itself. :wtf:

caper · Jun 11, 2009

I found one of the otc blue and black handled prybars in the street about a year ago.I've used pretty good,no complaints for the price I paid!It's got a pretty thick shank I don't think you will break it without trying real hard.

myslow2002gt · Jun 11, 2009

MAD said:
You can't tell the country of origin anymore by looking for the "Stinger" branding. The last three new OTC (non-Stinger) tools that I bought were all Imported.

True, however we atleast know that all of the "stinger" series is for sure imported.

Nik_95Cobra · Jun 12, 2009

OTC is pretty good, and makes some specialty tools that nobody else makes. On another note, the short MAC and OTC allen sockets I have are EXACTLY the same.

nate379 · Jun 12, 2009

Agreed,

There are Snap On tools that are pure **** too though. I don't favor any one brand nor country it's made.

I bought a B&D grinder at Walmart one night. Was around 2AM and I needed to finish the project so I could hit that road in a couple hours. My $150 Craftsman Pro grinder crapped the bed.

Ends up for $30 that thing is a nice unit...I fixed the Craftsman, but I ended buying another B&D as well. (don't have to swap out the wheels. 1 has a cut off disc, 1 a grinding wheel and the other a flap disc.

Big Bad Jon said:
I have states several times before that I have a rule that if using a tool can cause you harm if it fails. Buy Snap on. I think paying a bit extra for a good pry bar set is worth it. As far as other OTC tools, especially specialty suspension tools, they are great!

OTC Tools

Canadian Charlie

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LGMechanical

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krooser

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brockstar

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ricleh

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MAD

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johnny1290

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LGMechanical

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nate379

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LGMechanical

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Big Bad Jon

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MAD

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myslow2002gt

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MAD

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caper

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myslow2002gt

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Nik_95Cobra

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nate379

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