Decent Made in USA Tool line?

[TimDaToolMan]

Since I was a kid I have used my dad's tools. Now I'm 20, and would like to buy some for myself.

I used to love craftsman, until they started making them overseas, while charging the same price.

I only buy USA made tools if possible.

I had a few people tell me snap-on is good, and I agree, I have used them before.

I went to price something simple, a 3/8 ratchet, and it was 80 some odd dollars, for one ratchet.

I guess it would be worth it if you ran a garage, but I'm just a shade tree mechanic.

I am looking for USA made tools that I can buy new.

Does anyone have any recommendations, that won't break the bank?

 

[mmack66]

S-K, Wright, Williams, Armstrong

 

[Airframer]

Wilde, Channellock

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I took a look at some S-K ratchets, but most have a knurled finish, which I can't stand. I looked at Armstrong's website and they said they are made entirely in USA. Looked at a 3/8 ratchet. $34.99. That's not bad and a heck of a lot cheaper than the 80 something for snap on. But then I took a look at some of their wrenches and had to pick up my jaw. Kinda up there in price.

Is there a similar brand that's not as much? $70 for the metric wrench set.

 

[MJB24]

Do you live anywhere near a Menards? Take a look at there Masterforce line. US made and closer to Craftsman in price.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I like the MF that Menards sells, but I'm gonna be moving in a year and will be far away from one.

I know the Kobalt that Lowes sellls is made in China, but as expensive as USA tools are getting, it's either buy Chinese tools and live, or buy USA and starve, lol.

 

[mmack66]

I like the MF that Menards sells, but I'm gonna be moving in a year and will be far away from one.

I know the Kobalt that Lowes sellls is made in China, but as expensive as USA tools are getting, it's either buy Chinese tools and live, or buy USA and starve, lol.

Most of the Kobalt tools are made in Taiwan, which is generally better than made in China.

Do what a lot of other folks do, and buy used made in USA tools.

 

[MJB24]

Kobalt are Taiwan, not China. In my opinion both politically and quality is better than buying from China. Blackhawk is worth a look too, wrenches and sockets are US made, ratchets are Taiwan

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I took a look at some of Kobalt offerings. Their tools are nice, and full polish.

Thing is though, Kobalt does not offer things I would use as a shade tree mechanic. Things like a piston ring compressor, ignition wrenches, pullers, etc.

Who else besides craftsman and snap-on carry a full line of tools, and are USA made?

 

[reddog289]

I bought a set of Blackhawk Impact Sockets.. They were made in Taiwan. Decent set, But watch what you buy.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I have decided I'm going to buy Armstrong. I know they are not cheap, but I can buy a little at a time until I move. I can always use my dad's in the mean time.

 

[CWP1616L]

You don't have to go all one brand for tools. You may like Brand A for their sockets, but prefer Brand B over Brand A for their ratchets.

-

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I kind of have an OCD issue where I like all my tools being the same brand.

I would just go with Kobalt, but I feel like anytime I buy something made overseas, I took away the work from an American Worker.

 

[HMCFab9]

If you are able to buy a kit, you get a pretty good deal.
The Snappy stuff is nice, & I have a lot of stuff from there, but the price is ridiculous for someone in your position. (It's ok for someone who makes their living with it & needs a tool truck to stop every week)
As one other guy said: Buy the good stuff, but buy used. There's a lot of tools for sale on ebay, at auctions, & at swap meets. I go to several bigger automotive swap meets & there is always somebody selling tools... even snap-on stuff.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

I wonder how hard it is to find Armstrong Tools? I have been to a lot of auctions and have never seen any Armstrong tools. Mainly cman and snappy.

I used snap on tools in HS, and personally I HATED their ratchets. They had no quick release button, and often I would have to use a pair of pliers to take the socket off, and I'm no weakling.

 

[willhollin]

Proto does some nice stuff.

You should check out the Harry Epstein store.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Looked at proto as well, but I can't stand knurled handles.

 

[CNGsaves]

I kind of have an OCD issue where I like all my tools being the same brand.

I would just go with Kobalt, but I feel like anytime I buy something made overseas, I took away the work from an American Worker.

Since you're just 20 and buying tools for the first time, your criteria to ONLY have ONE BRAND is tough to do. In addition, your added criteria that they need to be NEW, and all Made in USA will be virtually impossible in today's reality. Those days are over where you could walk into Sears for everything.

ONLY solution to your parameters: OLD CRAFTSMAN - - - - you'll have to be a Craigslist and Ebay hound to only source old Made-in-USA stuff. Garage sales and pawn shops will also have to be your shopping mall.

Nothing wrong with sticking with old CMAN. The journey and quest to find those tools will be part of your reward. Your one variation to break the "OCD one brand rule" might be to get Armstrong ratchets. Good luck!

 

[Rockuf8]

I kind of have an OCD issue where I like all my tools being the same brand.

As OCD as I am, I care more about the color of the tools than the brand, which is why I am only buying white, black or orange tools for my white boxes. I would think at a quick glance color would be more noticeable than what brand all the tools in a box were.

 

[jjjrmx5]

I kind of have an OCD issue where I like all my tools being the same brand.

With the fall of the C'man line into the Asian made abyss, you are NOT going to find just ONE brand to suppy your tool needs.

Heck, even Snap-On can't do it. Especially for the specialty tools which they brand through the Blue Point marque.

If you just want one brand you're going to be very dissapointed as there is not a viable solution to that answer. None. Nada.

 

[buco]

Look at Wright. It's cheaper than Armstrong and not made by Danahar, but by a small business.

 

[cgv69]

Don't get hung up on finding a tool "line". There are many US tool manufacturers that make quality tools but there is no tool company (US or otherwise) that makes a complete line of tools that are all tops in both performance, features and price. You need to be more selective then that.

In my tool box, I have Snap-On, MAC, Matco, SK, Wright, Williams Armstrong, Channel Lock, Craftsman. With each tool, I took into account what I needed, what was available and then decided what was the best tool for the job and my budget at the time.

Keep in mind that "Craftsman" didn't actually make anything. It was simply a brand name and their products were outsourced to other actual manufacturers. If you want "Craftsman" quality, look to the companies Craftsman looked too such as SK and Armstrong.

Generally I look to...
SK for sockets
Snap-On and Matco for ratchets
Armstrong and Snap On for Wrenches
ChannelLock and Knipex for pliers
Estwing and Vaughn for Hammers

 

[Super Sport]

I used to be OCD like that and wanted all Cman tools. Then I realized that each brand excels in different areas. Now I have Cman, SK, Wright, Snap On, Gearwrench, Pittsburg, etc. As long as a set of something matches I don't care if the name in my wrench drawer matches the name in my socket drawer.

If I were you I would do as somebody above suggested, and look for both new and used USA Craftsman. They still have a lot of USA-made stuff on the shelves or online, and used stuff is pretty affordable and plentiful. When comparing to other USA-made brands, even ebay prices on NOS USA Craftsman isn't that bad.

 

[Davefr]

Don't get hung up on finding a tool "line". There are many US tool manufacturers that make quality tools but there is no tool company (US or otherwise) that makes a complete line of tools that are all tops in both performance, features and price. You need to be more selective then that.

In my tool box, I have Snap-On, MAC, Matco, SK, Wright, Williams Armstrong, Channel Lock, Craftsman. With each tool, I took into account what I needed, what was available and then decided what was the best tool for the job and my budget at the time.

^^^+1

 

[d.mcfarland]

Don't get hung up on finding a tool "line". There are many US tool manufacturers that make quality tools but there is no tool company (US or otherwise) that makes a complete line of tools that are all tops in both performance, features and price. You need to be more selective then that.

In my tool box, I have Snap-On, MAC, Matco, SK, Wright, Williams Armstrong, Channel Lock, Craftsman. With each tool, I took into account what I needed, what was available and then decided what was the best tool for the job and my budget at the time.

Keep in mind that "Craftsman" didn't actually make anything. It was simply a brand name and their products were outsourced to other actual manufacturers. If you want "Craftsman" quality, look to the companies Craftsman looked too such as SK and Armstrong.

+2 ... thread closed because this is the best advise the OP will get.

 

[ilovevocs]

The craftsman socket modules have been on sale several times over the past few months. The ratchets are nice and the sockets arent bad. Mine were all made in USA, and it seems like most who have purchased have been USA. If you could snag another set on sale, it would be a great starting point for your tool set at a great price. The ratchets are really nice for the price, IMHO.

 

[Bull]

I agree with folks above: the path for you is to buy new when funds allow (check Harry J. Epstein's website for good prices), used when money is tighter, and give up on the one-brand idea. Use your OCD to organize your box like a mothertrucker instead of wanting the same stamp on every tool, as that is functionally more important.

 

[Gotmayhem]

I actually don't think it should be that difficult to build a USA only toolbox on a low budget. I'm in a similar situation to the OP, 20 years old and in school. But my toolbox is nearly entirely USA tools that I bought new with my own income.

What I did and would recommend:
Sockets - Buy up all the last USA C-man you can find
Ratchets - Some -v- cman and Williams usa
Pliers - mostly Channellock, some Matco
Screwdrivers - Snap-On, but these are just personal preference. Any will do.
Locking pliers - Grip-On rebranded as Snap-On (technically Spanish I suppose)
Wrenches - SK, Williams, Wright

There are a ton of other options out there and you cannot go wrong with any of them for the most part. SK, Armstrong, Williams, Wright, it's all quality. I do have a growing collection of truck tools though I'm picky about buying only the stuff that has USA stamped right on it. Don't feel bad about used tools either. Especially on extra large wrenches, new ones will really break the bank but chances are the old american stuff won't break, period.

 

[eborcim]

how about some cheeze?

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to stick with Armstrong for the Ratchets, Sockets, and Wrenches.

Does anyone have a recommendation for USA made non-cman screwdrivers?

 

[woody 73]

Strange but today I was buying tools (not strange), but the guy selling me his tools wanted to trade for some of my old stock USA tools and when I told him the names he said "NO WAY DO I WANT THAT LOW COST ****"... Now mind you I had Proto, SK, williams, Bonney, wright,Armstrong,Craftsman,napa,KD,Blackhawk,etc. He only would deal in the truck brands and yet what he was showing me mostlyl came from overseas go figure that one out.

 

[Super Sport]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I'm going to stick with Armstrong for the Ratchets, Sockets, and Wrenches.

Does anyone have a recommendation for USA made non-cman screwdrivers?

Armstrong?

Look around the site a little, you'll find plenty of suggestions.

 

[ATC]

I started my tool collection about the age you are. USA was not a "must have" for me, but pretty high up there on the list. Top of the list was price. I am a weekend warrior, welder, fabricator, and I do a lot of maintenance/replacement parts/aftermarket accessories on my fleet of trucks.

I started with USA Craftsman. I got their 129 piece mechanics set...then their 260 piece set, HF impacts, a few Cman modules here and there. Then I found Gearwrench. Not USA, but better quality in some aspects...and cheaper.

Then I found a helluva deal on a Mac toolbox full of tools. Filled with Craftsman Pro, Blackhawk, Klein, Mac, Channellock, SK, Irwin and some Husky USA stuff.

Then, I found GJ and all hell broke loose!

Don't stick yourself with so many requirements. Get out there and get some "experience" with all the different brands!

 

[TimDaToolMan]

GJ? What's that?

 

[ATC]

GJ? What's that?

Garage Journal

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Are cornwell tools usa made?

 

[Texican]

Strange but today I was buying tools (not strange), but the guy selling me his tools wanted to trade for some of my old stock USA tools and when I told him the names he said "NO WAY DO I WANT THAT LOW COST ****"... Now mind you I had Proto, SK, williams, Bonney, wright,Armstrong,Craftsman,napa,KD,Blackhawk,etc. He only would deal in the truck brands and yet what he was showing me mostlyl came from overseas go figure that one out.

Those types are the ones I love to buy from. They are not familiar with the non truck brands and you can score great deals. I got a 30pc 1/2" Proto set at a garage sale for $30. He told me he never used it because it was some off brand.

 

[Automatic Slim]

Get tools that you can warranty with ease in your location. I have reasonable access to grainger and they give exchange NO questions asked, and proto professional is a good line. Have a sears and have returned thousands worth of tools over the years to include garden tools, no problems - but quality has slipped and exchanging a good tool for not so good - but they are open and available and generally have had no problems.

Since I don't work in a shop anymore where SO comes by weekly, I have to chase down SO - I do have a place that can get stuff exchanged, but takes a week & the rep also trys to shut me down cuz I only use for repair/exchange. As long as your buying things are fine - imagine that.

Haven't seen a mac tool guy in almost a decade, so have to send postaged item and have had issues w/ mac - they seem poorly run these days and wonder when they take their last dieing breath.

Cornwell truck has been sighted, but not regular and don't frequent shops that supply - but do like some of cornwell stuff. But once again a hassle.

Matco slips in and out, and have some of there stuff; don't recall breaking a matco tool so never have inquired about replacement. Love the orange or green torque+ screwdriver w/ hardened tip - first onces I reach for.

Alot of the young turks are going w/ kobalt through lowe's, for non-pro stuff, suitable and hear their return is as good as any.

I don't go to wal-mart for anything, sorry Sam.........

I've been to harbor fraught once, but wasn't impressed.

On **hot deals** on this forum they have a 10$ off 50$ purchase which is already 20% - wear that ***** out and get some basics?? If looking to buy new basic hand tools.

Sure I love to polish my snap on wrenches too, but tools w/ no moving parts are generally satisfactory for most jobs.

I've lost more tools than I now have from numbskulls borrowing, divorce, disaster, grand theft, and the farm where I have entirely another barn fool (yes that is spelled right).

Agree w/ the posters on different brands for different items, no doubt. Knipex pliers and cutters are top notch, but hell, I like the irwin slide pump pliers and they go on sale frequently.

But hard to justify paying some of those prices if not tools of the trade. If you got the dough, a good hard start would be to purchase a loaded box w/ quality tools and build off that. Offers abound weekly on CL, paper, ebay, and other and can literally get thousands worth of tools for a few hundred. I've bought two man carry boxes from auctions, hardware liquidation sales, estate, and other - fun to go through.

Clint probably said it best in grand torino........... "you realize the tools were acquired over a lifetime"

Just some ideas, best with your query - good age to start and start learning.

 

[CWP1616L]

Does anyone have a recommendation for USA made non-cman screwdrivers?

Yes, the black handled Williams.

 

[pipsters]

SK sells some socket/ratchet combos that are decent in price, but no one can touch Craftsman on price point. Maybe pick up a large Craftsman set, they are still US made, and then expand from there.

I know what you are saying about OCD and branding, I was that way too. 90% of my tool box is Craftsman, I doubt I will ever break it, so I had no problem buying the last of the US Craftsman stuff.

Armstrong and Craftsman look very similar, but the Craftsman stuff is a lot less $$.