Menards/Fleet Farm - doing their part

[ishiboo]

I was at Menards and noticed while looking at GearWrench stuff, that all the MasterForce sockets, ratchets, extensions/etc. are all Made in USA. I know this has been mentioned before, but it seems that they replaced the older China/Taiwain COO tools with them.

Appears to be the same ratchet design as the most recent Kobalt Made in USA tools. I still prefer the Kobalt Taiwan quality to the two.

Gotta give it to Menards, they're just about the only place who has switched TO sourcing things from the USA, and with the Made in USA sales they regularly run, it's nice to see someone cares.

A local competitor, Mills Fleet Farm, also is starting to begin a cool set up... they have Made In USA logos visible on every product/category page of the website for easily finding the products (versus finding COO somewhere), and they carry a lot of Made in USA tools. Like Menards, they have quite a few Allen tools. They also recently started carrying Felo screwdrivers at reasonable prices... not USA, but cool!

A lot of talk about the MasterForce tool boxes but not much about the hand tools here. The Menards Green boxes are NOT the same build as the Montezumas in our local Sears store... the Montezumas had either a rolled edge or 90 degree angle at the top of the drawers for stiffness, the MasterForce do not.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Here is a picture of a Masterforce 41" tool chest:

Looks strong enough to me! I also stood in that exact same drawer, and it did not buckle. It slid amazingly smooth with my wife standing in it. Granted, she isnt the 200 lbs that drawer is rated for, but I am 320, and the drawer did not buckle... It didnt even dent. And moved as freely after the fact as it did before hand. That tells me something. They are very strong boxes. I actually just ordered the 56" bottom box, and 16" side chest and it should be here next week.

Anyhow, I will also check out there tools. I wasnt aware that they were made in the USA. Might have to do some running around today

 

[RodneyPierce]

Ill be damn! They sure are:

 

[Fedwrench]

No Menards out here in the desert, must be a midwest chain.

 

[cowboy73]

I've bought a few Allen brand tools from Menard's that were made in USA by Danaher. That Masterforce wrench looks like a relabeled Allen. I'll have to check them out.

 

[azcactus]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[CoryZ]

No Menards out here in the desert, must be a midwest chain.

Menards is a big box style store that started in Eau Claire, WI. It's expanded quite a bit in recent years. It was big box before big box was cool.

I don't shop there because I dislike John Menard, the owner's policies.

However, it's cool that they seem to like sourcing USA COO tools.

 

[bobcatdan]

The masterforce tools are allen with their name stamped on it. A few months before masterforce came out, menards started carring allen and then switched to masterforce. Fleet has had allen forever, I can remember when fleet had wright. The only thing that ***** with allen ( which has a lifetime warranty), you need a reciet for warranty, I have a broken 3/4" adapter somewhere I can't get replaced. Both menards and fleet midwest chains. You're not missing out a whole lot without menards, but I could not live without fleet. Fleet Farm is like a TSC the size of walmart supercenter.

 

[Yojinbo]

Hmmm. I mostly stop there for the Sprecher orange soda, I will have to look a the tools some time.

 

[thesilverone]

Wish they were here in the east coast/new england

 

[scott37300]

I love menards and fleet farm, if you don't have them you are missing out!

Menards has a lot better selection of plumbing fittings, electrical, lumber, insulation, pretty much anything than HD or Lowes. I bought a masterforce top chest a couple months ago and it's a really nice box for the money.

Fleet farm has a little of everything. They have rough sawn lumber for pretty decent prices. Also have tons of odd things like hydraulic fittings that you can't find in many other stores.

I seldom go to HD or Lowes anymore.

 

[ishiboo]

I love menards and fleet farm, if you don't have them you are missing out!

Menards has a lot better selection of plumbing fittings, electrical, lumber, insulation, pretty much anything than HD or Lowes. I bought a masterforce top chest a couple months ago and it's a really nice box for the money.

Fleet farm has a little of everything. They have rough sawn lumber for pretty decent prices. Also have tons of odd things like hydraulic fittings that you can't find in many other stores.

I seldom go to HD or Lowes anymore.

I like 'em all.

Menards does have great selection and pricing. They also have a lot of garbage and low-end goods when it comes to things like lighting/plumbing fixtures, cabinets, etc.

Lowes and HD have better quality fixtures and some other better selections. Lowes has better clearance prices than Menards, plus I use 10% off. HD is similar to Lowes, but I don't get there as much.

Fleet Farm and the nearly identical Farm and Fleets (contrary to popular stories, there is no relation) have a lot more automotive, recreational and farm products... I guess it's like TSC if TSC's prices weren't horrible.

They all serve a place in my book, I was just making comments on the USA-ness of the two

 

[ishiboo]

Here is a picture of a Masterforce 41" tool chest:
Looks strong enough to me! I also stood in that exact same drawer, and it did not buckle. It slid amazingly smooth with my wife standing in it. Granted, she isnt the 200 lbs that drawer is rated for, but I am 320, and the drawer did not buckle... It didnt even dent. And moved as freely after the fact as it did before hand. That tells me something. They are very strong boxes. I actually just ordered the 56" bottom box, and 16" side chest and it should be here next week.

Anyhow, I will also check out there tools. I wasnt aware that they were made in the USA. Might have to do some running around today

No doubt it's "strong enough", but it's not the same as the Montezuma's is all I was saying. I think the HF's are better boxes than the MasterForce's, but not by much.

Whoever said the Performax are nicer is full of it. They may have stronger detents (too strong IMHO), but nothing else with them is even close to as good as the MasterForce boxes.

 

[kythri]

It's pretty sad that a house-brand for a regional chain is somehow able to keep production in the US (or, as mentioned, move it's production TO the US), while a national chain that should have greater economies of scale can't/won't.

Sure would be nice if they had some Menard's stores out west. I'd love to give them some business.

 

[RodneyPierce]

I was honestly there tonight, grabbed an Allen, a Gear Wrench brand, and a Masterforce wrench. Took my happy behind to the fastner isle, and grabbed a bolt. All 3 of them fit the bolt about the same. Only different I see between the Allen brand and masterforce, is the Allen brand looks to have a better finish on it. More time smoothing it out, etc then the masterforce brands do. Also, the inside of the sockets on the masterforce is alot rouger finish, and not near as nice as the allen brand. But side by side, they fit the same, and for half price there bouts.

I am thinking of buying a few of there products, and sending them to a few people to put them through there paces and make a full review of them here on the forums. Wouldnt be able to send every size, but perhaps a couple of the most common used wrenchs and sockets, and a 3/8 ratchet?? What do you guys think?

 

[metaldad]

Since I'm always losing 1/8 x 4 flat blade screwdrivers, I have been going to Menards for replacements instead of Sears. Alot easier to get to, and, cheaper.
Bought half a dozen of the USA Masterforce brand for, I believe, $1.99 each.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The only thing that ***** with allen ( which has a lifetime warranty), you need a reciet for warranty, I have a broken 3/4" adapter somewhere I can't get replaced.

How about buying another one, give it a week and take the broken one back. You paid for the lifetime warranty, why not use it. In this day and age of fading receipts, the need for an accompaning one is BS.

 

[CoryZ]

I can remember when fleet had wright.

I was looking through my dad's tools for gift ideas of Thanksgiving. His 3/8 SAE socket set is Wright. There was still a Fleet Farm price tag on it--$18 back in the day for the set.

I wish they still carried them!

 

[plinker]

I've bought a few Allen brand tools from Menard's that were made in USA by Danaher. That Masterforce wrench looks like a relabeled Allen. I'll have to check them out.

They are the same, just re-branded for Menards. Good tools anyway.

I love menards and fleet farm, if you don't have them you are missing out!

+1

I like Menards, reasonable prices and they have some decent stuff overall.

Fleet farm advertises itself as "the man's mall" and pretty much is it is, they've got most anything you'd need; house wares clothing, sporting goods, tools, farm supplies, automotive supplies & home improvement stuff.

 

[bhclark]

In this day and age of fading receipts, the need for an accompaning one is BS.

Ain't that the truth....I have an envelope full of receipts that are completely faded to blank.

If it weren't such a hassle due to time and long lines I would stop at the customer service desk every time I bought something that I needed the receipt for and ask for a copy from their copier.

Should be interesting if I ever get audited....the IRS won't be able to read any of my receipts...

 

[wornoutoldman]

Should be interesting if I ever get audited....the IRS won't be able to read any of my receipts...

Those are the best receipts when an audit comes due "here ya go sir" I'm sure you'll find they match my records perfectly.

 

[KyleQ]

Nice toolbox

My father has one of the big tool boxes and he likes it - I like it as well.

I really like Menard's - I worked for the company for many years and simply love that they have "Made in the USA" sales


Fleet Farm rocks too - two great midwest stores that I would hate to loose, Northern Hydraulics tops the list as well!

 

[Flatintoone]

I far prefer the Menard's in town to the HD. Selection and price of most hardware-store type items seems superior. Fleet Farm is ok, but unless what I need isn't available across town, I'll usually just make the trip to Menard's. A Blain's Farm and Fleet might get more of my business if there was a local one.

Masterforce/Allen Wrenches, screwdrivers, ratchets, and sockets are all USA-made and I have no problem with them, but it seems that just about everything else with the store's brand name on it is foreign. Yes, they point out "made in the USA" items on sale, but there never seem to be that many of them...

 

[HandyManny]

I was at Menards and noticed while looking at GearWrench stuff, that all the MasterForce sockets, ratchets, extensions/etc. are all Made in USA. I know this has been mentioned before, but it seems that they replaced the older China/Taiwain COO tools with them.

Appears to be the same ratchet design as the most recent Kobalt Made in USA tools. I still prefer the Kobalt Taiwan quality to the two.

Gotta give it to Menards, they're just about the only place who has switched TO sourcing things from the USA, and with the Made in USA sales they regularly run, it's nice to see someone cares.

A local competitor, Mills Fleet Farm, also is starting to begin a cool set up... they have Made In USA logos visible on every product/category page of the website for easily finding the products (versus finding COO somewhere), and they carry a lot of Made in USA tools. Like Menards, they have quite a few Allen tools. They also recently started carrying Felo screwdrivers at reasonable prices... not USA, but cool!

A lot of talk about the MasterForce tool boxes but not much about the hand tools here. The Menards Green boxes are NOT the same build as the Montezumas in our local Sears store... the Montezumas had either a rolled edge or 90 degree angle at the top of the drawers for stiffness, the MasterForce do not.

So they're doing their part to offer us the same old mediocre spotty quality that Danaher has been giving us in the previous Kobalt and current Craftsman wrenches and sockets? Isn't there any better domestic tool maker out there who can offer us much better tools for the money?? Maybe there is a good reason why Lowes Kobalt went Taiwan!

 

[brtsvg]

The Fleet/Farm places are great - Mills Fleet/Farm in MN and Blaines Fleet/Farm here in IA - and quite often are cheaper than Big Wally with USA made stuff to boot. Highly recommended. I actually found American-made work boots at my local Blaines Fleet/Farm, you just can't fool the farmers with the Chinese stuff. Great place for cold-weather clothes, such as Carhardt.

Menards here in the MidWest runs ads in the Sunday paper that has little American flags next to the American-made items that are on sale, and each item has the location of the factory noted in the ad where the item is produced here in the the US. I like that.

 

[GoBlue]

Wow...i have a lot of Menards around me but i have never been in one. That is about to change!

 

[JASTECH]

I like them selling all the USA items too. I see Allen 3/8" Rachet and socket set clearanced the other day. I think around 40.00 and some socket rails full of impacts clearanced too. I don't need them, but if anybody here wants the USA tools then PM me so that it can be worked out. I will go to town 13 miles and get what you want then ship them to you. You pay tool price and then pay s/h after you get it OK?

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[68-camaro]

Menards, my favorite store, All the times I have walked by these Mastercraft tools and have never givin them a second or even first look. I thought they were cheap Asian. After reading this post I thought I would look. They actually look pretty decent. Maybe not for a professional mechanic but for home use fine. I also say hats off to Menards for at least trying to keep things USA. It's amazing how many things are made in the USA these days and there USA sales celebrate them.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I asked about shipping for a tool box. Email exchange was very slow but they will ship. Those charges made the cost too high and also the response was so slow I had made the purchase and had an International box before they got back to me.

No Menards out here in the desert, must be a midwest chain.

 

[ishiboo]

So they're doing their part to offer us the same old mediocre spotty quality that Danaher has been giving us in the previous Kobalt and current Craftsman wrenches and sockets? Isn't there any better domestic tool maker out there who can offer us much better tools for the money?? Maybe there is a good reason why Lowes Kobalt went Taiwan!

Agreed, but the Allen stuff seems to be better quality than the Kobalt/Craftsman, they're definitely better finished/stamped than the last USA-made Craftsman sockets, and the ratchets are definitely nicer than the Danaher/USA Kobalt. MasterForce and Allen look to be the same.

The screwdrivers are Pratt-Read and are top notch.

 

[wafrederick]

I have a few Allen tools,holding up so far.Danaher bought Kobalt out a year ago and sold the Kobalt line again.Figured out they were losing money with the Kobalt line.

 

[ishiboo]

I have a few Allen tools,holding up so far.Danaher bought Kobalt out a year ago and sold the Kobalt line again.Figured out they were losing money with the Kobalt line.

Lowes owns Kobalt, always had and likely always will. It's just their store brand.

They have switched manufacturers several times including JH Williams and Danaher, but neither have ever owned the brand. Lowes probably switched not because Danaher was loosing money on a price they agreed to, but because Lowes could get a better margin outsourcing to Taiwan.

 

[adamsredlines]

They dont have Menards down where I'm at in Texas, but I'm on vacation in Ohio and stopped by just to check it out and it made me smile seeing all the USA tools. Wish I was in the market for the stuff they had...the few things I was looking for they didnt have in their USA line...but if I were in the market for the basic hand tools, I'd be all over them.

 

[Kev442]

Just got back from Menards. Eklind #10222 made in USA, normally about $15, paid $6.
Irwin 880 20". A sweet saw, I bought one last summer for $8.99. They bought too many, free after rebate today.

 

[Bull]

Wish they were here in the east coast/new england

Me too. I just saw this thread, but I have seen guys on here talk about Menards positively over the years.