"Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

"Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

You see this saying on mostly cheap, overseas made tools. But what does it really mean? What are the ANSI standards? It is really something to look for, or is it just a catchy phrase to help sell cheap tools?

Same with steel types. You also see many tools advertise what type of steel they are made of CR-V, chrome vanadium, Chrome moly etc but does it really matter? is one type of steel better then another for tools? or is it just a way to make cheap tools sound better?

Re: "Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

Yes some steels are better than others depending on the task. Some of my impacts are stamped "4140" which is a type of chromoly. Where as the cheaper crv tend to shatter or crack more.

Here are some of the ANSI standards
B107.1-2002 Socket Wrenches, Hand (Inch Series)
B107.2-2002 Socket Wrenches, Extensions, Adaptors, and Universal Joints, Power Drive (Impact) (Inch Series)
B107.4-2005 Driving & Spindle Ends for Portable Hand, Impact, Air, and Electric Tools (Percussion Tools Excluded)
B107.5-2002 Socket Wrenches, Hand (Metric Series)
B107.10-2005 Handles and Attachments For Hand Socket Wrenches - Inch and Metric Series
B107.12-2004 Nutdrivers
B107.17-2010 Gages and Mandrels for Wrench Openings
B107.33-2002 Socket Wrenches, Impact (Metric Series)
B107.34-2003 Socket Wrenches for Spark Plugs
B107.100-2010 Flat Wrenches


Weight, depth, torque, ect ect are examples or standards outlined for certain types of tools.

Re: "Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

ANSI standards are real but they're pretty loose as far as restrictions go. It doesnt take much to meet them. Many tools come packaged saying they meet or exceed including truck tools. Chrome Vanadium is an incredibly common term for tool steel, has been around for ages. I still see it on many German tools. Chrome Molybdenum is the common metal for impacts and is more expensive than CR-V. You will find CHEAP impacts marked with the latter and those are the ones that usually crack or explode because the metal isnt as ductile. HF, at least their old sets, are a good example of CR-V impacts.

Re: "Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

Just like ISO standards, it means nothing as far as quality goes. Basically it's meant for a company to pay money to be standardized, tested, get audited by their certifiers so that they can say they meet some criteria. Proto states ANSI standards on their tools.

Interesting how in the past a great many tool makers made tools for industry that far exceeded the quality of these new standards for certification and nobody needed ANSI certifications back then or ISO. Today ISO is required and ANSI is required and many of todays tools are shoddier than ever.

Re: "Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

Now with the HF revamp, they are also using crmo on many.

Then within the alloys there is a variance as to exactly how much of various elements like silicon, vanadium, chromium, carbon, manganese ect ect. Then there is differences in treatments like heat treating/tempering, nitriding (don't think that is used with many tools) carburizing, cryo ect ect. Oil is likely the most common type although air or water might be found?

ANSI standards also may not mean a lot if you are using the tool in a manner other than prescribed.

Re: "Manufactured to meet or exceed ANSI standards" What are the "ANSI standards"

Pro-Painter said:

You see this saying on mostly cheap, overseas made tools. But what does it really mean? What are the ANSI standards? It is really something to look for, or is it just a catchy phrase to help sell cheap tools?

Same with steel types. You also see many tools advertise what type of steel they are made of CR-V, chrome vanadium, Chrome moly etc but does it really matter? is one type of steel better then another for tools? or is it just a way to make cheap tools sound better?

Click to expand...

ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute and is under sponsorship of ASME, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ANSI writes "GUIDELINES" for the general performance and dimensional features of all types of tools, but in this case, specifically hand tools (sockets, wrenches, socket wrenches, etc.). Also, ANSI specifies "test methods to evaluate performance relating to the defined requirements". ANSI gives the industry the minimum design and performance requirements for the tools we use. Dimensionally all tools must meet the standard or the tool will not fit the particular nut or bolt it was designed for. Performance wise, most companies attempt to exceed the minimum by at least 1.5x. The ANSI standard, in many instances, does not call out the specific steel to be used. Many steels are capable of meeting and exceeding the standard IF properly processed and manufactured. Vanadium, key component of CRV is easily produced in China actually making China the second largest producer of this key alloying element behind South Africa. If CRV is produced right it is more than capable of meeting the ANSI standard. I could go on and on about standards and steels and design of tools, but I would like to finish this off by pointing out that the ANSI standards that ALL of industry uses to design the tools we use are first approved by a committee before release for publication. The committee for "Hand Tools and Accessories" for example is made up of representatives from: Snap-on, Inc., Naval Air Warfare Center, Western Forge, Wright Tool Co., Sears Roebuck and Co., and General Services Administration (GSA). I would like to point out the obvious...Snap-on, Inc is part of this committee. They produce their tools to the ANSI standard and in many cases exceed this standard in the performance category. ANSI is for real, but like all things from China and Taiwan, the mark is not regulated per say and can be abused. For most DIYers, these tools will work fine for a lifetime. But for the professional, using your tools every day, 5 and 6 days a week, buy a brand name you can trust. It WILL be made to the standard and WILL exceed the standard in the performance category if it is a reputable brand name. IMHO.