So, you just had to make the S-K guys suicidal didn't you? If they price these accordingly I see nothing wrong with them. If they price them like S-K has always been priced they will follow the Eagle-Grips into oblivion. Not a big deal since S-K has been there several times before.Here is a little SK news, a guy on a FB SK tool group posted these pictures of a newly acquired wrench.
Old news. SK announced several months ago that wrenches would be made in China. Sockets, ratchets, and cushion grip screwdrivers are staying in the USA for now at least. I don't remember the rest.Here is a little SK news, a guy on a FB SK tool group posted these pictures of a newly acquired wrench.
Perhaps, SK had the PRC made wrenches displayed at their SEMA booth if you asked about them
An announcement is one thing but, holding the new wrench in your hand, and seeing the packaging brings it all home. X Frames are also staying US Made for the time being. I think ratchets and sockets will be an evolving target.The last time I was in harbor freight an associate was checking every Bremen locking plier on the shelf. I said man you must like checking each one of those out. He laughed and said corporate just sent a memo. I have to check to make sure that none of ours are stamped Milwaukee. Ours and Milwaukee are made in same Taiwan plant and corporate says we got a shipment of Milwaukee with our tags on them and they all have to be found. With a chuckle, he said I sold a set yesterday that were stamped Milwaukee. The guy that bought them thought they were really cool. Corporate is too late on this one!GJ consensus seems to be Milwaukee, with honourable mention to Bremen as good value, and a grudging admission that Irwin is better than it was but not as good as it used to be.
I have a few Grip-Ons. I haven’t used them hard yet, so I haven’t noted any issues with the teeth. I grew up on Petersens, and tend to like their feel, still reach for them first, but the GripOns do still seem well made, offer a nice range of jaw shapes, and I quite like the epoxy coating.
Hardness doesn’t really matter for clamps. I don’t know where to get these in the US, but I really like the one I have with this jaw shape:
(There was also a thread about 3.peaks - a Japanese made plier. Not many GJ’ers have tried them, but they look interesting)
You're probably right. I've never been a fan of SK wrenches so I couldn't care less about them coming from China.Perhaps, SK had the PRC made wrenches displayed at their SEMA booth if you asked about them
I figured it was only a matter of time until they started circulating around. Grainger and Zoro have had the COO as PRC for some time now. ***** but what can you do. At least the ratchets and stuff are still swinging USA.Perhaps, SK had the PRC made wrenches displayed at their SEMA booth if you asked about them
That’s kind of funny.
Man, I almost passed out from laughing when I read this!
Here is a little SK news, a guy on a FB SK tool group posted these pictures of a newly acquired wrench.
I don't know why anyone would buy an SK wrench made in China. It will likely cost more than other Chinese wrenches with less distribution. Also, a big part of the appeal of SK in recent years has been the whole made in the USA thing. No point in trying to find a place that sells SK if it is just another Chinese tool.
These are just in my basement. I could go to yhe garage and take 20 more pictures, then go to my service truck and take 30 more just like the others. A lot of the guys bitching about SK producing some tools in China are Milwaukees biggest fan boys. Made in the U.S.A. is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
Doesn't mean we have to agree with it. I don't buy anything made by Apex tool company, because they gutted multiple great US made tool companies. If you're cool with supporting PRC profiting companies, by all means continue to buy Milwaukee tools. My service truck is full of Dewalt and Proto tools, at least SBD makes some of their **** here still.
This is the damn truth!
I buy USA made when I can. I am not aware of anyone who was making Lithium-Ion cordless tools in the USA when I first started buying them. I later bought some of the Dewalt assembled in USA cordless tools.
I am guessing knipex or nws. I haven’t handled either, but going of what I have I’d say the Germans make a great locking plier.
"confirms" is a strong term for internet hearsayThese look like the '00 Craftsman locking pliers with the release lever. I don't remember who made them for Sears.The locking pliers are in the Channellock catalog.
Bollman produces a few styles of licking plier that have never been made or rarely available from US manufacturers or brands.
Guess I'm just plain wrong about this. Didn't know any of this info, so that's too bad. Martin was probably looking at starting from scratch manufacturing that knurled piece. Not sure why it's so expensive but this is the second or third time I've heard this from a manufacturer about the adjustable wrench.Can you clarify what you mean, and where this equipment is?
The WF equipment in general was liquidated and the property sold and plant torn down. The site has new buildings and is a Amazon distribution center now.
Western Forge Closing Down
A lot of it has to do with fiscal policy and the FIRE sector (finance, insurance and real estate) sopping up too much money from the productive economy. It really bothers me when a company like Western Forge goes out. They held it down for decades. And for the price, the guys and gals at the...www.garagejournal.com
I suspect some of the equipment and tooling was pulled out before the liquidation, and possibly sent to S-K, but I never heard for sure.
It took months to haul away all that equipment, still makes me sad to think about it.
We gave up on Bollman when the EagleGrips came in because we try to buy US when we can. At this point we will probably try the channellocks and see how it goes but we're still thinking about what's the best option.
Yikes. Kind of what I thought, but hurts to see.Here is a little SK news, a guy on a FB SK tool group posted these pictures of a newly acquired wrench.
Bummer, I was hoping you had some inside information on someone buying up a bunch of old WF equipment and tooling or something and having it available.
Sorry, didn’t finish that last post.
there was an auction of the equipment ideal didn't move. I looked at the listings, nothing made in the 21st century. It was a lot of screw machines, turret lathes, and stuff like that. Old, but perfectly capable of turning out screw drivers (and probably those little knurled bits on adjustable wrenches) by the thousand if it was still working. Also, big, heavy, expensive to move, and not much use except for turning out screwdrivers by the thousand. I expect most got scrapped, or left in the building for new owners to scrap.
These Channellock locking pliers ain't nothin new!
Had these for about 8+ yrs now, bought them used off the Bay along with my no name Facoms
Love me some Grip-ons in any color!
They hated him because he spoke the truth
You're right, not much newer equipment. Almost everything sold and was moved out, though. I was surprised how much certain things, like pallet jacks, lots of ladders, cabinets, racking, etc sold for. The wholesalers showed up in force and paid decent money. I bought a drill press and a water heater from the cafeteria. There were riggers on site for months moving out the equipment after it sold at the auction.
I’m all about trying new things and I have no qualms about ordering some rebranded Channellock locking pliers. Malco can shove it, not because they did what they did but it’s about how they did it.
Tell us more about the slip joint adjustable locking pliers. I didn't know I needed them, until now!These Channellock locking pliers ain't nothin new!
Had these for about 8+ yrs now, bought them used off the Bay along with my no name Facoms
Love me some Grip-ons in any color!
