Recent content by Notwerk

It was post-SBD. These days, Blackhawk is fairly dead. With Craftsman and DeWalt hand tools under the umbrella, it seems like SBD didn't see a place for Blackhawk. I misspoke when I mentioned Toughbuilt: they were rebadged by Powerbuilt. More details...

Ah, yes, thanks for the correction. These are, indeed, made in Taiwan, despite Tone's "Japan" markings.

Those Tone ratchets were also badged as Blackhawk by Proto ratchets. I have a set. They're pretty damn nice. I've read that they're also rebadged under the Toughbuilt and Carlyle by NAPA brands. Just did my brake pads with them, actually. The Tone price tag is a big exaggerated. Blackhawk no...

I've owned tools from every part of the world and I think that some of these generalizations are pretty accurate. In my experience, USA tools are by and large of excellent quality. The only real exception to that was some of the Craftsman stuff that was being pushed out by Sears before they...

Depending on the ratchet, some Gearwrench models use the same internals as Matco. Either way, they're very nice for the price you pay. If they were just for your use, I'd say grab the Gearwrench and, should you bust them, buy the Matco repair kit for about $20 and upgrade your Gearwrench to...

Horrifically and hilariously true. I'm simultaneously appalled and amused.

I also created an updated "Made in USA" logo as well. I think we have enough "Craftsman" branding to put out an updated, truthful calendar: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2388528&postcount=15

Maybe true for some items, but "US made Craftsman" becomes rarer and rarer every day. If I'm going to buy Chinese, I'll get the GearWrench and save myself a few dollars. Better yet, I won't buy either :D

I think the new ratchets are 45-tooth. Definitely not "fine tooth," but they're still very well liked. The old SK Tuff1 and Palm Control ratchets were Facom-based and were 72-tooth. Not made anymore, though. The Williams B-52a and S-52 are really nice, too. USA-stamped and all ;)

Not sure I can agree with that statement anymore (with a few exceptions).

I'm a fan of Bondhus. Nothing wrong with Eklind or Wiha, but I don't think the Wihas are going to do anything for you that Bondhus and Eklind won't. They're all great. I'd take the cheapest one that fits your budget. Bondhus is definitely made in the USA. Tough as nails...

Vote with your wallets, folks. I don't have a particular use for the Bionic Wrench, but if you do, Mr. Brown sure could use your order right about now. At some point, the Sears nitwits have to realize that all this bad press is going to bite them in the ***. The atmosphere in today's America...

Ames stick tools from HD are USA-made and have been for some time. Were Craftsman's shovels really foreign made? Hard to believe they're just now catching up to Home Despot in that category. I mean, it's positive, but still kinda sad.

I have to agree. Kobalt tools are always a seering reminder of this: Lowes had to go offshore to find decent tools because the **** Danaher was producing wasn't worth the scrap it was made from. USA doesn't always mean "good" anymore. And while I love my USA tools, buying USA stuff that was...

45 teeth is definitely fine enough for me...if it has two pawls.:D OP, if those ratchets you have are like the pear head Huskies (and I'm virtually certain they are), they should be 60 tooth. Foreign made, but tough little ratchets. I took the pipe to those an awful lot when I didn't know any...