Who here is NOT a COO Snob?

Detecto · May 20, 2015

Who here does not mind if something is not Made in USA?

I try to buy USA when I can afford to, if the price difference is not a whole lot.

I'm not a pro mechanic, I don't own a shop or make money with my tools.

I picked up a set of Kobalt 3/8 drive 6pt metric sockets today on sale for $9.98 plus tax.

Now hear this. I could of went out and bought a SK set off the truck at a local garage for 59.99, or 6 times more.

If my Kobalt socket breaks, I can supposedly get it replaced "no questions asked". Or if they give me ****, I can just buy a new socket for a few bucks.

How often does the Snap on truck come around? If that breaks, then what do I do? Wait a week with my car half apart?

I think a lot of people, primarily older people, got a bad taste in their mouth when China tools came out in the 80s.

They WERE junk, but Asia has come a long way on quality.

Strouty · May 20, 2015

I think you should slow down.

MrJason · May 20, 2015

I'm not a snob. Quality is quality, and in today's age, sometimes that can be found outside of the US.

Jason

altersaddle · May 20, 2015

I don't really care where something is made, but my local market predetermines what I can buy, too (to some degree - the Internet brings the global market to our door via the post office, so I can now be more careful about what I buy).

In any industry, it's incredibly rare to find a manufacturer who will stick to any principle without following the demands of the market. The average consumer will purchase the lower-priced item without worrying about where it's made, what it's made of, or how well paid the makers are. Thus, the "made in USA" tool brands cannot compete with offshore factories simply due to economics.

I hope to live to see the day when it shifts back, and we can buy tools made with pride (regardless of where) that work well, are high quality, and are built to last.

There are sparks of this now - the SK story is hopeful, and manufacturers like Veritas and Lie-Nielsen have "cracked the nut", at least with fine woodworking tools. But maybe that's what it will have to be - if you want quality, made in USA (or even North America), you are going to have to pay.

I can't get Made In USA or Made In Canada for retail prices here. All the box stores carry Taiwan manufactured hand tools at best.

Consequently, I've been collecting stuff from flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops etc to bolster my toolbox with the "good stuff".

Parrothead · May 20, 2015

I guess I am in both camps. The stuff I use at home is almost completely USA made, along with some German stuff (Knipex). Most all of it's Craftsman USA and I bought a bunch of it when they were having good sales and clearancing the Craftsman Pro stuff.

The travel tools and junk yard tools are China/Taiwan, as I don't care as much if they're lost or stolen and can be replaced cheaply.

nealric · May 20, 2015

I don't care about origin so much as quality. The only tools still made in the U.S. tend to be the more expensive-higher quality stuff, because it's very difficult to compete on price with U.S. made items. Sometimes I need quality, sometimes I don't. It's all about being fit for purpose.

Detecto · May 20, 2015

I also buy used when I can.

I hardly find used sockets/ratchets in good shape, here anyway. Most are rusted and dented up.

I have found quite a few diagonal pliers (can't get enough of them!) USA made for $2, which is cheaper than $5 For walmart Stanley Made in China brand.

Super Sport · May 20, 2015

I try my best to support healthy working conditions, decent environmental standards, and good wages. I don't really care where it's from, so long as those conditions are met.

JonDick13926 · May 20, 2015

I'm not a snob about it, just really skeptical. And sometimes it's not that the cheapo tool breaks, but that it's just not designed well. Or both.

But ^^^ quality is quality. If it's good, does it's job well (or preferably, BEST) and lasts, then I don't care too much about where it's made.

u118224 · May 20, 2015

I'm not a snob, but I will pay more for USA tools. I would rather keep Americans employed than Chinese.

LordPsychon · May 20, 2015

I am a bit of a COO snob when it comes to tools. I will buy high quality Chinese tools if there is not an American or Taiwanese version readily available. I will gladly buy high quality Japanese, Spanish, Mexican, German, or British tools. I will not buy low quality tools regardless of COO - there are some bad USA tools (not many but they are there).

Sal Bandini · May 20, 2015

Detecto said:
Who here does not mind if something is not Made in USA?

I try to buy USA when I can afford to, if the price difference is not a whole lot.

I'm not a pro mechanic, I don't own a shop or make money with my tools.

I picked up a set of Kobalt 3/8 drive 6pt metric sockets today on sale for $9.98 plus tax.

Now hear this. I could of went out and bought a SK set off the truck at a local garage for 59.99, or 6 times more.

If my Kobalt socket breaks, I can supposedly get it replaced "no questions asked". Or if they give me ****, I can just buy a new socket for a few bucks.

How often does the Snap on truck come around? If that breaks, then what do I do? Wait a week with my car half apart?

I think a lot of people, primarily older people, got a bad taste in their mouth when China tools came out in the 80s.

They WERE junk, but Asia has come a long way on quality.

Looks like your outrage and revenge rant lasted about 30 minutes.

pozidriv · May 20, 2015

This again...
Do you know that here (and I guess in other European countries as well), 'USA made' holds a rather negative connotation. Inferior quality.
I'm not trying to start a riot here, it just puts some things into perspective. There's a lot of prejudice flying around.

LordPsychon · May 20, 2015

pozidriv said:
This again...
Do you know that here (and I guess in other European countries as well), 'USA made' holds a rather negative connotation. Inferior quality.
I'm not trying to start a riot here, it just puts some things into perspective. There's a lot of prejudice flying around.

USA...inferior? Them's fightin' words sonny! :thumbup:

As I said earlier in this thread, there are lower quality USA tools that can't possibly stack up to Knipex, Wera, or Wiha.

Commendatore · May 20, 2015

I could care less about COO. Quality is what's important.

kythri · May 20, 2015

pozidriv said:
This again...
Do you know that here (and I guess in other European countries as well), 'USA made' holds a rather negative connotation. Inferior quality.
I'm not trying to start a riot here, it just puts some things into perspective. There's a lot of prejudice flying around.

There sure seem to be a lot of Europeans here on this very board who want that inferior-quality USA stuff...

To the OP, though, the needlessly confrontational thread title aside, I buy what I feel is quality. I've got a lot of US-made stuff, and I've got a lot of imported stuff.

I buy what I like. If it's made here, that's a bonus, but that's not a purchasing requirement, it's a nice-to-have.

pozidriv · May 20, 2015

That's just the general feeling here towards USA made. I know it's not true, it just goes to show that people will quickly make these kind of blanket statements and assumptions concerning other countries and nationalities. Ill informed and rather stupid.

dogdog · May 20, 2015

Don't be a COO snub , just buy quality / price / needs , don't mind about COO. as far as inferior products, there are good and bad products from US / China / and EU as well.

some reason just more from China than any other country that is all...But don't blame the Chinese who made you the products. but blame the corporation who imported and sold you that ****, and they are 99% of the time not Chinese. Lol.

F124C · May 20, 2015

pozidriv said:
Do you know that here (and I guess in other European countries as well), 'USA made' holds a rather negative connotation. Inferior quality..

I've never ever heard this. In fact USA made has always been held in the highest regard afaik in terms of design,manufacture,durability,reliability and good service/parts back-up.

The only negative is the cost and that is down to currency exchange rates and local duty/taxes, none of which is the US's fault!

Inferior quality, you're joking ,right?

Al.

franzdom · May 20, 2015

Not a USA snob but I am not fond of Chinese tools.

aaronrkelly · May 20, 2015

Good tools are good tools, no matter where they come from.

I still prefer to buy USA when I can just because Im patriotic. Live here, buy here.....seems simple.

.....but sometimes the only USA option is out of my price range or not a good fit for my purpose.

PJNJ · May 20, 2015

aaronrkelly said:
Good tools are good tools, no matter where they come from.

I still prefer to buy USA when I can just because Im patriotic. Live here, buy here.....seems simple.

.....but sometimes the only USA option is out of my price range or not a good fit for my purpose.

Well said, how I feel and I couldn't have said it better. :thumbup:

rodsnratfinks · May 20, 2015

pozidriv said:
This again...
Do you know that here (and I guess in other European countries as well), 'USA made' holds a rather negative connotation. Inferior quality.

Makes perfect sense to me. American companies are hardly driving innovation or quality these days. In fact, looking around my house, I can hardly think of an item of quality that isn't imported, vintage, or boutique. My appliances are Japanese, my consumer electronics are Korean and Japanese, my cars are Swedish and Japanese, my drafting equipment is German and Japanese, my bikes are Italian and Japanese, and my tools are everywhere, but most of my tools are essentially boutique.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

texchappy · May 20, 2015

I am and proud of it

Btw wasn't your first post looking for American tools?

crewchief888 · May 20, 2015

me?

nope

snapon and HF sit side by side in my boxes, both at home and in my service truck

:beer:

Don53 · May 20, 2015

I buy US made products, including tools, for economic reasons. I've got this crazy notion that a huge debt and huge negative trade balance with China might not be good for Americans.

It's probably a lost cause, but I have kids, and already feel guilty about the turd my generation will be handing them.

Don

wyo george · May 20, 2015

I like to spread my money all around the world.

I buy my Rum from Barbados, my whiskey from Ireland, my wine from France, my Scotch from Scotchland, my beer from Mexico and my tools from America. If I were in the market for a snowmobile I'd buy one made in Canada and if I were in the market for some chopsticks I'd look for a set made in China.

Hlidskjalf · May 20, 2015

Buy products from the first world, period. I don't like supporting child labour.

shockwave · May 20, 2015

I buy all types of tools it really depends on which ones
It's more a matter of quality vs others

Like gearwrench vs vim hex bit sockets both Asian make but vim is higher quality than gearwrench

fm2176 · May 20, 2015

I have a mixture of mostly US, Taiwan, and China tools. Whenever possible, I support US companies that keep production here (see my rash of posts on a certain company that trademarked a shade of blue). If I need something that isn't made domestically I buy it, such as the Crescent nail puller pliers. If US and foreign-made products are side-by-side and the prices are within a few dollars then US wins. If I have the choice between Harbor Freight and Snap On for a tool I'll use once, HF wins. It's about common sense as well as patriotism.

MattVette89 · May 20, 2015

aaronrkelly said:
Good tools are good tools, no matter where they come from.

I still prefer to buy USA when I can just because Im patriotic. Live here, buy here.....seems simple.

.....but sometimes the only USA option is out of my price range or not a good fit for my purpose.

Exactly!

I have to buy tools with a budget in mind, so I try to find the best quality in my price range.

Zeke · May 20, 2015

Yes, I'm a tool snob. But wait, there's more. I have my share of imported tools at home. When I was working as a contractor/carpenter, I used name brand tools. No, I can't say for sure my worm drive Skilsaw was made in the US. But I can tell you my Bosch jig saw was not. My Porter Cable routers say "Proudly made in the USA" but I can't be sure where my Milwaukee Magnum drill motor came from. It doesn't say on the drill and the box is long gone. Same with my Milwaukee Sawzall, but I've had that sucker since '92 so it was probably made here.

As I go through the tools boxes I know any cordless drill is from a foreign country but some are made in the US like some Makita models. OTOH, a lot of Makita is made in Australia. The Senco's I have are certainly made overseas and my lightweight compressor hails from Italy.

It does get confusing and I'm wondering what the point is? Yes, I was a tool snob when it came to showing up and laying out my gear for other tradesmen to see. I think if I had any HF tools they wold have sneered. Then I go home and use my HF angle grinder that has been through 5 car resto's and is only now showing some signs of wear. I have a 2nd one and it's in pretty damn good shape. Same for the 3/8ths reversible drill. These are the old orange ones.

I got out my big HF demo hammer the other day to wreck out some tile. Half or less than the Makita and works every bit as good. I bought that to take under a house to break up some poured in place piers and it ate a LOT of dirt to the point that is was hurting me as it came out of the vents. Still going. When is a demo hammer ever in a good environment? Why would I buy an expensive one for that kind of job?

I did have that out for other trades to see and they didn't look 2wice. I have the HF SDS hammer but I use a Bosch for a corded hammer drill. Most of these tools I have named are the best in their class so it doesn't matter to me where they came from.

So, in the end, I'm not a tool snob, just a tool user. Don't look at my mechanic's tools as they are all Heinz 57. I haven't seen a non chinese floor jack in 29 years. Why buy one at Sears for double? It's from the same factory as the cheaper ones. Now my shop machines tend to be old and even vintage so mostly old US made tools, AFAIK.

It would be impossible to not buy anything foreign. You've all seen the show where they take out every furnishing and appliance from a typical house. About 3 things left in the whole house. In 1989 I went to buy a TV. I found ONE that was American owned, a Magnavox but it was made in Japan. One Japanese company, RCA, made some here and they weren't well regarded. That nets out to not one single TV is/was made in the US by a US company and that goes for just about all electronics.

Re: comment on a preference for foreign made goods, consider appliances. AFAIC, all US made stuff is junk unless you get into the very high end stuff like 4000 bucks for a fridge and 6000 for a range. **** that.

I do have a Kichenaide fridge apparently made in Canada where half my Chevy truck came from if not Mexico. It's futile/

LordPsychon · May 20, 2015

wyo george said:
I like to spread my money all around the world.

I buy my Rum from Barbados, my whiskey from Ireland, my wine from France, my Scotch from Scotchland, my beer from Mexico and my tools from America. If I were in the market for a snowmobile I'd buy one made in Canada and if I were in the market for some chopsticks I'd look for a set made in China.

What, no sake from Japan or scorpion whiskey from SE Asia? And you call yourself cultured!

Good quality tools trumps COO. Case in point - HF and HD have nearly identical flex-head ratcheting wrenches. The Pittsburgh Pro line is from Taiwan, the Husky line is from China. I've compared the two and the winner is Husky - they feel very smooth, almost GW like smooth, and they have very few mars throughout the line whereas the Pittsburgh Pros have slightly more mars and slightly gritty ratcheting action.

ADSR · May 20, 2015

MrJason said:
I'm not a snob. Quality is quality, and in today's age, sometimes that can be found outside of the US.

Jason

I don't need to add anything else. :thumbup:

wyo george · May 20, 2015

LordPsychon said:
What, no sake from Japan or scorpion whiskey from SE Asia? And you call yourself cultured!

Good quality tools trumps COO. Case in point - HF and HD have nearly identical flex-head ratcheting wrenches. The Pittsburgh Pro line is from Taiwan, the Husky line is from China. I've compared the two and the winner is Husky - they feel very smooth, almost GW like smooth, and they have very few mars throughout the line whereas the Pittsburgh Pros have slightly more mars and slightly gritty ratcheting action.

I'm not super cultured I'll admit. I've never even tried sake or scorpion whiskey. I'll have to give it a try sometime. :beer:

LordPsychon · May 20, 2015

wyo george said:
I'm not super cultured I'll admit. I've never even tried sake or scorpion whiskey. I'll have to give it a try sometime.

You have to be careful about the scorpion whiskey - it has a bit of a sting going down. :lol:

wyo george · May 20, 2015

LordPsychon said:
You have to be careful about the scorpion whiskey - it has a bit of a sting going down.

I just googled that stuff and HOLY COW!

mauris69 · May 20, 2015

well different reasons for different people, isn't America wonderful? I wasn't born and raised in this country (I'm a Sudaca), so my point of view might differ.

I'm an American by CHOICE, and I'm proud of my decision. So buying American TO ME it is just another way of showing appreciation and respect for the US. I try to buy American as much as my budget allows me (tools is a must though, love vintage US).

I had the chance to spend the whole last summer backpacking through Asia and saw first hand how different things are elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, it was the experience of a lifetime and I would do it again at the drop of a hat, but it reminded me how good we have it here. Many people don't realize this, maybe b/c they don't know better.

so cco snob? yes, and proud of it.

mauris69 · May 20, 2015

pozidriv said:
This again...
Do you know that here (and I guess in other European countries as well), 'USA made' holds a rather negative connotation. Inferior quality.

you're confusing 'us made' with 'American tourist' reputation :lol_hitti

66354dream · May 20, 2015

As long as it works, once it breaks it's time to upgrade to the good stuff or fix it if you can.

Who here is NOT a COO Snob?

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