Tools Made In Taiwan Vs. USA

[micromind]

I have tons of wrenches, sockets, etc. that are made in Taiwan and just about as many made in USA. Quite honestly, I can't see much difference.

Some are from the 70s - 80s, some are from the last 10 years, both seem to hold up well, even with serious abuse.

Fitment seems to be similar and finish holds up about as well with both.

What's your opinion?

 

[908Jim]

Taiwan before the 90s was hot garbage. Modern Taiwan ranges from eh to excellent. Gotta know what you're buying.

 

[nadogail]

In addition to the improved quality i have noticed in Taiwan made tools I have happy memories my assignment to an Installation Team in Taiwan during June and July of 1989.
The way the local people welcomed me and cooperated to make my job a success was very different from what I was prepared for.
I had mistakenly assumed that they would not be so cooperative and welcoming.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I worked in a shop building speed reducers from 1998-2004. Most of our product came from Taiwan. The fit and finish of the parts was excellent. The only weakness was the iron castings for the gear case and covers. They could be a bit porous. We sold other products from Europe, but their machining accuracy was not near as good. Much more rework involved to achieve properly fitted parts.

 

[kctgb]

I agree with 908Jim. I have some tools from the 80's and 90's from Taiwan, they were rough to say the least. Fitment on fasteners were like socks on a chicken. Over the years I had to buy tools to replace the ones I broke or lost, most are from Taiwan. They have greatly improved quality control. I had to buy a set of offset wrenches from harbor freight for a job I was working on, I only needed one wrench as I lost the one I needed from my good set. They seem to be quite good, fitment on fasteners are excellent. They don't have a high polished chrome finish like higher end wrenches, I've used them on many car repairs with no complaints. They are made in India.

 

[PlanB]

As I am cheap I generally look for made in Taiwan (but don't always succeed). Quality/price ratio works and I feel ok about supporting Taiwan. Chinese stuff can be ok (looking at you Maximum from Canadian Tire) or otherwise. Seems more of a crapshoot with indian/vietnamese products.

 

[zendriver]

Other than price, I've never noticed any real difference.

 

[carlaisle]

Older Taiwanese = junk. Later model tends to be very good quality, generally as good or better than the older USA made equivalents although it does depend on what you're buying. Chinese steel is generally worth less than you pay for it. Indian steel has roughly the same modulus as Swiss cheese.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have to say that over many years my tool choices have evolved considerably. In my youth I loved SK and purchased Snap on at the local swap meets. After a career in the Army, I bought mostly truck brands while working at a dealership. After transitioning to fleet work and being without tool trucks, most of my tool choices are internet based. In fact, aside from the three position long nose slip joint pliers from Snappy, just about everything purchased in the last 10 years has been made in Taiwan. There's some Ko-Ken, KTC, & vessel from Japan and a little Wera from the Czech Republic and a whole lot of Knipex but, there's probably more Astro, Tekton, Vim, Toptul, Capri, and Icon from Taiwan than my older US made tools. Even my USAG RBRT long combination wrenches are made in Taiwan. All have served me well. The only thing I find slightly odd is 1/4 drive shallow sockets. Taiwan made 1/4 drive sockets are mostly an inch long whereas, most US made 1/4 inch drive sockets use an overall length of 7/8 of an inch. I also think the best modern fine toothed ratcheting wrenches hail from Taiwan.

 

[Steve_P]

I still have my original HF ratchet and socket sets from ~1985 that were basically Taiwan copies of the metal box SK sets. The quality of them is excellent and I used them "professionally" as a small engine mechanic for several years, and then several decades as a home DIYer. These were not the flea market $4.99 sets. Yes, the ratchets weren't great, but they were functional, and this was in the 30 tooth ratchet days. And I still have the Taiwan impact socket sets, etc, that I bought from HF at that time. All were excellent quality even though Made in Taiwan was a joke at that time. But even 40 years ago, Taiwan could make quality tools if you paid for them.

The modern production Taiwan stuff like the Gearwrench 90T ratchets, Tekton, Capri.... products are just phenomenal in quality vs cost IMO. I can't recall ever having a cosmetic flaw worth mentioning on any of my Taiwan made tools produced in the last 10 years - it's been essentially flawless, and they all function excellently. I bought a set of the Napa / Carlyle combo wrenches on closeout and they are just beautifully finished, jewelry quality FWIW; I'd put them up against any brand for visual appearance, including Snap On. Same with the Craftsman V series wrench set that's like the Facom sets- just beautiful, and fantastic quality. The Taiwan made ratcheting wrenches are also great as said. The next tool frontier for Taiwan is pliers, and the two by Icon that I have are excellent quality.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Most Taiwan stuff these days seems to be a decent value and up to par for anyone between occasional DIY and everyday pro.

Obviously there are exceptions to everything not here to argue.

 

[kctgb]

I still have my original HF ratchet and socket sets from ~1985 that were basically Taiwan copies of the metal box SK sets. The quality of them is excellent and I used them "professionally" as a small engine mechanic for several years, and then several decades as a home DIYer. These were not the flea market $4.99 sets. Yes, the ratchets weren't great, but they were functional, and this was in the 30 tooth ratchet days. And I still have the Taiwan impact socket sets, etc, that I bought from HF at that time. All were excellent quality even though Made in Taiwan was a joke at that time. But even 40 years ago, Taiwan could make quality tools if you paid for them.

The modern production Taiwan stuff like the Gearwrench 90T ratchets, Tekton, Capri.... products are just phenomenal in quality vs cost IMO. I can't recall ever having a cosmetic flaw worth mentioning on any of my Taiwan made tools produced in the last 10 years - it's been essentially flawless, and they all function excellently. I bought a set of the Napa / Carlyle combo wrenches on closeout and they are just beautifully finished, jewelry quality FWIW; I'd put them up against any brand for visual appearance, including Snap On. Same with the Craftsman V series wrench set that's like the Facom sets- just beautiful, and fantastic quality. The Taiwan made ratcheting wrenches are also great as said. The next tool frontier for Taiwan is pliers, and the two by Icon that I have are excellent quality.

I have a set of SAE and metric impact sockets from harbor freight I bought in the late 80’s that are excellent. I believe they were made in Taiwan and came in a metal box with a latch with no skips. I still have them, used them on Saturday for a break job.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Made in Taiwan maybe good enough for the price point. They need to cut corners somewhere to meet the price for cheapskate like me to buy them vs truck brands.

 

[woody 73]

Back in the day I had some problems with Taiwan tools, maybe too cheap as they say, but the quality roared back to life in the last several years and let me say overall top-notch quality, I am very impressed.

I try and avoid tools from the mainland and India, but one day I bet they will up their game and then they will be top tier. Tools from Japan at one time I also avoided, now I treasure them as their quality is also top notch. Again, just a question of time makes all the difference as to when they are made.

 

[lardy1]

For my own personal reasons I would prefer to support domestic manufacturers. That gets harder to do all the time. It isn't a quality concern.

 

[cannuck]

In addition to the improved quality i have noticed in Taiwan made tools I have happy memories my assignment to an Installation Team in Taiwan during June and July of 1989.
The way the local people welcomed me and cooperated to make my job a success was very different from what I was prepared for.
I had mistakenly assumed that they would not be so cooperative and welcoming.

Around that same time we started doing NA field service for a Taiwanese manufacturer of large power transformers. Their attitude towards quality and support was second to none. While visiting another manufacturer there of smaller units I rated their facility as the best I have seen anywhere in the world. It may have been part of China but it is a very, very different culture.

 

[Wamsutta]

I prefer the socket retention system of the Snap-on made sockets even though I'm the only guy in the world that can tell the difference.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I prefer the socket retention system of the Snap-on made sockets even though I'm the only guy in the world that can tell the difference.

I've never paid attention to that but now I will.

 

[Kaervak]

While I do prefer to buy tools from USA manufacturers, I do own a few Taiwan made tools too. Specifically the G2 Icon ratchets, Icon pliers and a set of Gearwrench long ratcheting wrenches. The quality on the Icon and Gearwrench is exceptional, no complaints about any of it. I use my Icon G2 locking 1/4 flex head far more than my Snap On locking 1/4 flex head, it's a damn nice ratchet.

 

[General Geoff]

What's your opinion?

I think that brand- or manufacturer-specific design, specifications, and quality control are more important than country of origin.

There is a persistent connotation of poor quality that accompanies southeast Asian goods, because a lot of previously domestic-made tools were outsourced to overseas production specifically to save on costs. The cost cutting is what results in poor quality, not the country where the tools are made.

I have owned many vises, several USA made, one German made, a couple Chinese ones and a few Taiwan made ones.

One of my Taiwan-made vises is far and away the best in terms of fit, finish, and quality. It's also the most expensive vise I ever bought, and likely ever will buy. My point is that Taiwan-made tools can be world-class in quality. But you gotta pay for it.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've never paid attention to that but now I will.

Basically, if you *snap* a Snap-on socket onto a Snap-on extension, they are not going to move afterwards. Rock solid.

 

[seber]

Basically, if you *snap* a Snap-on socket onto a Snap-on extension, they are not going to move afterwards. Rock solid.

Unfortunately, I find myself using a screwdriver to separate them. Not fun.

 

[Wamsutta]

Unfortunately, I find myself using a screwdriver to separate them. Not fun.

You got oil all over your hands or something?

 

[tarbellb]

Chocolate vs Vanilla thoughts?

 

[seber]

You got oil all over your hands or something?

I'm just old. No longer have that gorilla grip.

 

[Etchase]

It’s pretty well known Snap On sockets are a pain to get off, or well retained is another way of putting it. I personally prefer other manufacturers’ design choices.

 

[whateg01]

Chocolate vs Vanilla thoughts?

Hot fudge

 

[nh_yota]

I'll buy USA-made when price is reasonable (Channellock, Klein, etc.) but I have no problem buying anything from Taiwan. Tools made in China, India or any other 3rd world country I try to avoid. When I go to Harbor Freight I try to stick with tools made in Taiwan.

Tekton tools are mostly made in Taiwan and their fit and finish is great.

 

[kctgb]

I'll buy USA-made when price is reasonable (Channellock, Klein, etc.) but I have no problem buying anything from Taiwan. Tools made in China, India or any other 3rd world country I try to avoid. When I go to Harbor Freight I try to stick with tools made in Taiwan.

Tekton tools are mostly made in Taiwan and their fit and finish is great.

I have a set of offset wrenches made in India, they are excellent wrenches. Fitment on fasteners is excellent, too. I bought them at harbor freight as I lost the wrench I needed for a repair from my good set. I only needed one wrench, had to get the job finished that day for a customer. I am pleasantly surprised the cheap wrenches are as good as they are.

 

[liliysdad]

It’s pretty well known Snap On sockets are a pain to get off, or well retained is another way of putting it. I personally prefer other manufacturers’ design choices.

Is it? I’ve never had an issue with SnapOn sockets on SnapOn ratchets, SnapOn sockets on other ratchets, or other sockets on SnapOn ratchets.

The only time I’ve ever heard of this “well known” issue is in this forum. I’d imagine that if it were all the prevalent, SnapOn would sell a far higher percentage of QR ratchets over sealed, yet they don’t.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Unfortunately, I find myself using a screwdriver to separate them. Not fun.

Mostly the smaller size shallows, but I agree. I stick a 3/8 drive 10mm shallow on my FL80? Going to need to pry that thing off. I like a trim tool for better leverage to pop it off.

 

[toddmorr]

Koken z is noticeably tighter on dual 80 3/8 ratchets.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Made in Taiwan maybe good enough for the price point. They need to cut corners somewhere to meet the price for cheapskate like me to buy them vs truck brands.

Competitive price point can also come from lighter overhead, slimmer marketing, lower labor costs, etc.

 

[American Locomotive]

Modern Taiwanese tools can be very high quality, they can also be crappy. MiUSA tools can be high quality, they can also be pretty crappy. I have some pretty gnarly and terrible looking USA-made tools in my "donated to me" tools bucket.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I generally have no problems buying Taiwan-made tools. The quality coming from Taiwan has greatly improved in the last 20 years, to the point that it has eclipsed USA-made tools in some cases.

I like to support USA brands, but that's getting more and more difficult, since many are gone, jacked up their prices, or are quietly outsourcing more and more of their tools (Klein).

German tools are very expensive now, thanks to recent economic changes, but I think Japanese and Taiwanese tools offer a fantastic bang for the buck.

 

[shoggoth80]

Might be a dead horse, but we can beat on it some more eh? Lol.

Generally I'm ok with Taiwanese tools. I've got some older Pittsburgh 1/2 drive sockets I've had for oooooh... Probably 20 years, maybe more. Still doing their job. I've got Gear wrench sockets while they were still Taiwanese made, and sure can't complain. Power Torque, Pittsburgh, older Duralast all been alright. Icon... Can't say anything bad. Blue Point (much newer than the rest) that I would put on par with almost anything else I've put my hands to. American, Taiwanese, and even a few Chinese impacts... Haven't broken one yet, and the impacts get hammered on... Sometimes literally.

I'm not exactly a fan of Chinese stuff. When I snag it, it's because the price was very right. But you know... The sockets have been fine so far. Other stuff, not as much. Pliers have been more a let down for me in that regard. Screwdrivers... Eh same. Japanese, like Vessel... Fantastic. Snap on? Also quite nice (though not sure of the OEM there). European (Wera) haven't been a let down.

I've bought a lot of Tekton for folks at work. Everyday use, and sometimes hard use. One ratchet, one socket, one universal impact, and a couple small u joints have been the failures, and the company backed it up every time.

Use what works. Lol.

 

[rust in the eye]

Made in Taiwan maybe good enough for the price point. They need to cut corners somewhere to meet the price for cheapskate like me to buy them vs truck brands.

Their labor cost is so much lower than ours would be they don't need to cut any corners their customers(many big name retailers and "brands")tell them to.
I've had very good service from my Taiwanese tools with few exceptions.

 

[txvwnut]

I have some Taiwan made wrenches and sockets(regular and impact) that I bought in the 80's and are still in good shape today. These were even used in an everyday professional setting and I've only had to replace one of the impact sockets, I'm actually surprised the sockets lasted as long as they have.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Anyone familiar with the ProKit brand?

I just picked up this near-complete ProKit serviceman's toolkit at the flea market yesterday. It's much later (and much more foreign!) than my collecting habits, but I have a thing for anything (old US Army inspection layouts, boards, etc) with actual size tool outlines and, frankly, I would've bought it for that reason alone, even if it was empty. It was filthy and overstuffed with all kinds of rusty tools and other ****, none of them hanging, and I wasn't sure until I got it home how many of the tools would be original. After I weeded out all the extraneous tools and ****, I was surprised to find it missing only one screwdriver, six (6) combo wrenches - all under 1/2", and a pair of hook-nosed pliers.

I searched GJ and didn't find any mentions (other than the Eibach struts and springs brand).

Based on the vintage attache style case and its construction - vinyl over plywood, breakdown hinges, boards made of cardboard encapsulated in wipeable plastic with pot metal edging, etc, and the blatant branding strategy ("ProKit" as an abbreviated portmanteau of Professional Kit), I was thinking classic 1970's Taiwan import, but I was a little perplexed by the style, quality, and condition of the tools (I don't collect anything much past 1950), which didn't seem to match the more antiquated case.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Some are from the 70s - 80s, some are from the last 10 years, both seem to hold up well, even with serious abuse.
Fitment seems to be similar and finish holds up about as well with both.
What's your opinion?

Most of my tools are US wartime or thereabouts, an era I hold in the highest esteem, or modern, with little to nothing in between, so I am not the best judge, but I was surprised.