A Sad Day at Lowes....

[dougmac]

At the local Lowes store all of the Made In USA Kobalt tools are all stacked on the clearance table making room for piles of Made In Taiwan Kobalt tools.

I'm sure this cost some good hard working Americans their jobs..... it kind of made me sick......

 

[SCscoutguy]

It is sad indeed. There have been about 10 threads about this in the past few months.

 

[tdkkart]

One more reason NOT to go to Lowes.......

 

[domain]

It is sad, seeing more and more companies doing this. It may never end...

 

[Rooster1]

that's awful. i hate junk tools made overseas. what gives?

 

[Fedwrench]

I understand the sadness at the loss of another US manufactured tool but, ask yourself this, what could I have done to prevent this? Do I own every US made Kobalt branded tool (and I bought it new at full price at Lowes)?

I don't know what all of the drama is about the loss of US made Kobalt branded tools. It wasn't much of a line and was largely rebranded Danaher made tools similiar to KD, Napa, Craftsman, Allen, and others.

If you're worried about your favorite US made tool brand going overseas, buy as much as you can afford and use from their retailers. Ebay, used, flea market, and cripe purchases don't count. It needs to be new and from the retail market.

A side observation, the new Kobalt Taiwan made line of mechanics hand tools are far from cheap. In fact, I'm sure they'll be on clearance tables in about a year to be replaced by something from India because they're more expensive than the old US made Kobalt line.Sure, there are a couple of wrench sets on sale right now at half off but, the other sets and individual tools are pricey for a big box store. I've looked at some of the new tools starting to fill up their new display at a local Lowes. They have some neat but, over priced items such as a 12 inch long 1/4 inch drive flex head ratchet with comfort grip for $49.98. How many Lowes customers will spring for that ratchet? The new line is a lot larger than the Danaher produced selection.
On a different issue, instead of automatically labeling the new tools as **** just because they're made in Taiwan, you should pick and choose a few items you can use to make a real decision. Who knows, just like all of those imported cars on the roads, there might be a tool or two worth having.

 

[gatchel]

Pretty soon we'll have nothing left in the US but our laziness and entitled attitudes.

 

[89GLH]

I agree with Fedwrench. If it's such a shame, why weren't you guys buying all their stuff up before they found they couldn't sell them at a profit? I have a few craftsman wrenches, and that alone has convinced me to stop by the Matco truck. Some of the Made in USA stuff *****, too.

 

[Hammer1963]

I understand the sadness at the loss of another US manufactured tool but, ask yourself this, what could I have done to prevent this? Do I own every US made Kobalt branded tool (and I bought it new at full price at Lowes)?

I don't know what all of the drama is about the loss of US made Kobalt branded tools. It wasn't much of a line and was largely rebranded Danaher made tools similiar to KD, Napa, Craftsman, Allen, and others.

If you're worried about your favorite US made tool brand going overseas, buy as much as you can afford and use from their retailers. Ebay, used, flea market, and cripe purchases don't count. It needs to be new and from the retail market.

A side observation, the new Kobalt Taiwan made line of mechanics hand tools are far from cheap. In fact, I'm sure they'll be on clearance tables in about a year to be replaced by something from India because they're more expensive than the old US made Kobalt line.Sure, there are a couple of wrench sets on sale right now at half off but, the other sets and individual tools are pricey for a big box store. I've looked at some of the new tools starting to fill up their new display at a local Lowes. They have some neat but, over priced items such as a 12 inch long 1/4 inch drive flex head ratchet with comfort grip for $49.98. How many Lowes customers will spring for that ratchet? The new line is a lot larger than the Danaher produced selection.
On a different issue, instead of automatically labeling the new tools as **** just because they're made in Taiwan, you should pick and choose a few items you can use to make a real decision. Who knows, just like all of those imported cars on the roads, there might be a tool or two worth having.[/QU

Very well said. I use my tools daily to make my living and I have come to realize that I am no longer a tool snob based upon COO, but rather a person who now knows that COO means very little anymore when it comes to quality. I look for the best designed and engineered tool these days. There are several tool companies in Taiwan that make excellent tools. To me it's kind of like seeing a Harley decal on a Kia. Looks a little weird when you first look at it, doesn't it.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

When Irwin Tools moved Vise Grip to China it all but wiped out a small town in Nebraska. Then I see the ad on TV "Building America with Irwin Tools" KINDA PI$$E$ ME OFF!


Capt. Chrysler

 

[Hammer1963]

When Irwin Tools moved Vise Grip to China it all but wiped out a small town in Nebraska. Then I see the ad on TV "Building America with Irwin Tools" KINDA PI$$E$ ME OFF!


Capt. Chrysler

That is a tasteless commercial...............Not a good promotion
That is definitely one move that has not been good. Pick up a pair of "real" vise grips vs Chinese made versions and they don't feel the same at all. I have gone to buying NOS USA Vise Grips when I can find them or the Spanish made Bahco or Blue Point branded locking pliers.

 

[787B]

It is sad, seeing more and more companies doing this. It may never end...

Oh, it'll end.

Sooner or later the Chinese will stop taking green paper promises from us and instead demand something of real value. Then the US dollar will fall hard until it's worth less than 1 Chinese Renminbi, and jobs will start coming back because we'll be the new India - a poor third-world country with lots of hungry people willing to work for pennies...

The answer isn't to try and force things to be made here that can't be made here profitably. It's not smart to compete with them on things like cheap labor. I sure don't want to work for Chinese wages!

The answer is to do stuff here they can't do. Compete with them where we have an advantage, not a disadvantage. We have to educate, innovate, adapt, and overcome. I don't have the answers on how, but we must figure it out or we'll be Rome on our way to being India.

 

[dougmac]

I think it is wrong to expect to be paid a good wage when I am selling my labor then turn around and purchase goods that I expect to only pay the people that are making it pennies. Eventually that attitude will cost you your good paying job.

If you don't believe me ask the poor guy that used to manufacture Kobalt tools and is now standing in the unemployment line....

 

[mormit]

Screw em. They can't spell Cobalt properly.

Make it in the US and spell it like an American.

 

[cashishift]

I'll continue buying USA made tools at every opportunity possible.

 

[Rooster1]

I understand the sadness at the loss of another US manufactured tool but, ask yourself this, what could I have done to prevent this? Do I own every US made Kobalt branded tool (and I bought it new at full price at Lowes)?

I don't know what all of the drama is about the loss of US made Kobalt branded tools. It wasn't much of a line and was largely rebranded Danaher made tools similiar to KD, Napa, Craftsman, Allen, and others.

If you're worried about your favorite US made tool brand going overseas, buy as much as you can afford and use from their retailers. Ebay, used, flea market, and cripe purchases don't count. It needs to be new and from the retail market.

A side observation, the new Kobalt Taiwan made line of mechanics hand tools are far from cheap. In fact, I'm sure they'll be on clearance tables in about a year to be replaced by something from India because they're more expensive than the old US made Kobalt line.Sure, there are a couple of wrench sets on sale right now at half off but, the other sets and individual tools are pricey for a big box store. I've looked at some of the new tools starting to fill up their new display at a local Lowes. They have some neat but, over priced items such as a 12 inch long 1/4 inch drive flex head ratchet with comfort grip for $49.98. How many Lowes customers will spring for that ratchet? The new line is a lot larger than the Danaher produced selection.
On a different issue, instead of automatically labeling the new tools as **** just because they're made in Taiwan, you should pick and choose a few items you can use to make a real decision. Who knows, just like all of those imported cars on the roads, there might be a tool or two worth having.

I agree with Fedwrench. If it's such a shame, why weren't you guys buying all their stuff up before they found they couldn't sell them at a profit? I have a few craftsman wrenches, and that alone has convinced me to stop by the Matco truck. Some of the Made in USA stuff *****, too.

there is no comparison between usa made tools and asian made tools. non whatsoever. compare a pair of channellocks to a pair of work force pliers. it's a JOKE. i'm not sure if you guys work with tools every day, but I did and I know i HATED tools that were made in china, taiwan, and korea. they have a much higher failure rate.

 

[ozyborn]

Seems the only good tools I can find in today's world are at farm auctions. My worst set of wrenches are 40 year old craftsman...

 

[Greatbear]

When Irwin Tools moved Vise Grip to China it all but wiped out a small town in Nebraska. Then I see the ad on TV "Building America with Irwin Tools" KINDA PI$$E$ ME OFF!

I haven't bought anything from Irwin in several years ever since the Vise Grips alone were offshored. In fact, aside from one small Irwin VGs given to me as a gift and a handful of Taiwanese welding VG clones I got years ago, all my Vise Grips are Petersen branded. And that is at least a dozen, and I bought them all new.

 

[ZRX61]

I don't know what all of the drama is about the loss of US made Kobalt branded tools. It wasn't much of a line....

You got that right, I didn't like the feel of any of that tool range. Didn't matter where it was made, the ergos were all wrong.

 

[TheGunCollector]

Funny how people don't have a problem using their made in China computers.

I'm all for buying American(tools, cars, etc) but not at 2x+ the cost...

 

[Full Size 66]

Some American cars are assembled in America with lots of other parts from over seas!

 

[nissan_crawler]

there is no comparison between usa made tools and asian made tools. non whatsoever. compare a pair of channellocks to a pair of work force pliers. it's a JOKE. i'm not sure if you guys work with tools every day, but I did and I know i HATED tools that were made in china, taiwan, and korea. they have a much higher failure rate.

How's the weather up there on that horse? Many of us make our living with tools, including me, and I can tell you there are a few tools where the american counterparts didn't work as well, and failed more. Sure, that's not the usual case, but to say every asian tool is worthless, is ridiculous.

Some American cars are assembled in America with lots of other parts from over seas!

Many "american" cars are assembled in foreign countries with foreign parts, for that matter.

 

[Rooster1]

How's the weather up there on that horse? Many of us make our living with tools, including me, and I can tell you there are a few tools where the american counterparts didn't work as well, and failed more. Sure, that's not the usual case, but to say every asian tool is worthless, is ridiculous.

The weather is fantastic. What does your screenname mean? When did I ever say 'worthless'? Please provide anecdotal evidence where a china tool was better than its American counterpart. I call shenanigans. I had a pair of work force pliers snap on me under normal use with my bare hands. I've never broken a pair of channellocks though. And I've used them a ton more. What's weird is that channellocks adjustable wrenches are made in Spain. They are a really nice piece too!

 

[brownbagg]

I'll continue buying USA made tools at every opportunity possible.

somebody told me once that if a company made a product that was so good it never break, it would go out of business because nobody ever replaced them.

so to make this product you would have to have a high price. that the problem.

Oh i love the feel of a new snap on wrench but there is no way I can afford to buy one, just one, not the whole set so I go to craftman.

sear has gotten where they are not cheap. never below $19.95 on anything

that where the box stores and harbor freight come in. The great neck wrenches, that is one cheap tool that I think is pretty good on quality.

Back to snap on. I would love to try to buy from the truck, but they are not coming to my job, not a trademan and they get upset when I talk to them on the street

and I cant see paying more for a tool box empty than a new car.

buying american is not everything, some of the china stuff is good. look at apple computers, best out there, made in china. bent pak, pretty good, made in china. Toyota made in Tennessee

I think the big made in america drive is all about labor unions, lost of money

 

[mormit]

Funny how people don't have a problem using their made in China computers.

I'm all for buying American(tools, cars, etc) but not at 2x+ the cost...

Well we have no other choice.

I paid about $300 for the laptop I'm on so yes, I would happily pay $600 for one I knew was made in the US of US components. I would welcome that ability to choose.

 

[aluminum13]

I wonder what the all the construction and labor firms in China use? I'm not talking about rural, poor China. I'm talking about high tech sky-scrapers China. I bet the workforce there values craftsmanship just as much as anywhere else. What tools do they use? Where does a Chinese carpenter get his circular saw? What tools are in a Chinese mechanic's tool box? I bet a few of them are made right there in China (good ones, there must be some demand for quality, yes?) and they get rebranded and sent here, too.

Or are they all really just using Harbor Freight electric drills?

 

[Rickochet]

This could turn nasty!!!! The argument of the best toys rides again!

 

[nissan_crawler]

The weather is fantastic. What does your screenname mean? When did I ever say 'worthless'? Please provide anecdotal evidence where a china tool was better than its American counterpart. I call shenanigans. I had a pair of work force pliers snap on me under normal use with my bare hands. I've never broken a pair of channellocks though. And I've used them a ton more. What's weird is that channellocks adjustable wrenches are made in Spain. They are a really nice piece too!

I wouldn't call work force anywhere near the top of the line of asian companies.

The Toptul sockets I have are far better quality than the craftsman sockets I have. No chrome issue, no rounding, and none of the sockets were stamped wrong, either.

My sunex pliers are better quality than the stanley pliers I had before them.

My gray pneumatic impact sockets have less wear on them than my craftsman sockets.

Now, pound for pound, US tools will be better, but not ALL of them.

I have Craftsman/Hf/Proto/Snap-on, Williams, Toptul, Sunex, Gray pneumatic, KD, Mac, Knipex, and many others. I'll use whatever works best for the situation.

My gearwrenches work better than another mechanics craftsman ones (assuming these are us, not sure).

 

[JohnMcD348]

Many "american" cars are assembled in foreign countries with foreign parts, for that matter.

Exactly. I'm far from a tool snob but I do greatly appreciate a good tool in my hands. I also greatly appreciate a tool in my hand that will get the job done. It doesn't matter to me if it's one that's considered high end, top of the line, best in the world, or if it came off the clearance stack at Harbor Freight.

For the record. My American Dodge Ram Megacab was built in Mexico, not Michigan.

 

[robertwhite]

I wonder what the all the construction and labor firms in China use? I'm not talking about rural, poor China. I'm talking about high tech sky-scrapers China. I bet the workforce there values craftsmanship just as much as anywhere else. What tools do they use? Where does a Chinese carpenter get his circular saw? What tools are in a Chinese mechanic's tool box? I bet a few of them are made right there in China (good ones, there must be some demand for quality, yes?) and they get rebranded and sent here, too.

Or are they all really just using Harbor Freight electric drills?

That is actually a very valid point. Does anyone know? (and guessing or second hand stories are not acceptable)

 

[Dog]

My tools do the job I need done everytime and very few are over priced american made tools. I get a kick out of the guys that brake a pair of pliers then condemns every tool made in Asia. Very shortsighted. Pure BS.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

***** that kobalt no longer made in the US however I wouldnt call the new stuff exactly ****. I just used them today and they feel pretty good.

 

[omr]

I wonder what the all the construction and labor firms in China use? I'm not talking about rural, poor China. I'm talking about high tech sky-scrapers China. I bet the workforce there values craftsmanship just as much as anywhere else. What tools do they use? Where does a Chinese carpenter get his circular saw? What tools are in a Chinese mechanic's tool box? I bet a few of them are made right there in China (good ones, there must be some demand for quality, yes?) and they get rebranded and sent here, too.

Or are they all really just using Harbor Freight electric drills?

That is actually a very valid point. Does anyone know? (and guessing or second hand stories are not acceptable)

both of these quotes remind me of some thing i read just the other day , might have even read it on this site ..chinese tool maker says americans always ask ''how cheap can you make it ? not how well can you make it'' this makes me think they probably also make quality tools just not for export ..

i also read some where that china buys alot of steel from the usa and the steel we sell them is recycled **** that they sell right back to us in the form of cheap tools ..lol

 

[aluminum13]

Apparently I'm the jack-hat that didn't use the search function, cause there was a thread about that very topic started two years ago.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48109

But I do think it is interesting. China's industrial economy requires tools. And I'd think that there would be a market for good ones, at least among the educated, urban workers.

Of course, I've also seen a picture of Chinese welder using newspaper as a face shield, with the caption suggesting that was his "day job" and he got paid so little he couldn't afford a mask.

 

[Coach James]

I have seen the welding pic also but have no idea when it was taken or where. It could have been 10 years ago in Cambodia or Laos for all I know. I have Kobalt wrenches from when they were made by JH Williams and they are excellent but I don't think they sold well at all. The Danaher probably sold better, but they were expensive C-man and doubtful they sold enough to make much profit.

Another poster mentioned not buying any Irwin in several years since Vise Grips were off shored. I thought that happened just a year or two ago.

Coach

 

[diesel research]

I think it is wrong to expect to be paid a good wage when I am selling my labor then turn around and purchase goods that I expect to only pay the people that are making it pennies. Eventually that attitude will cost you your good paying job.

If you don't believe me ask the poor guy that used to manufacture Kobalt tools and is now standing in the unemployment line....

Ridiculous. There is no kobalt factory. The guy "manufacturing kobalt tools" is simply now manufacturing craftsman, napa, allen, matco, armostrong tools. He could care less.

 

[CaptainRay]

I've heard some real negatives about Kobalt tools, so I haven't bought many. I bought some cement drills from Lowe's to drill about 200 holes in cement for anchors and it took thwo bits, guess that's not too bad. But I won't be bying anything that's made by them now....

There isn't much incentive for companies to stay here in the USA with all the federal government controlls and taxes... Then pile the taxes and controlls of the states on top of that like CA taxes companies 50%, insane.

The reslut of all this is no jobs here at home and crappy tools. I made a real effort to buy tools made in America but found they were actually made in a foreign country. There's a lot of assembled in America products, all made in China, Tiwan, Japan or whatever foreign country. I'm really sick of it all and America is going down the tubes because of it.

Who's at fault? The truth is "The 545 People Responsible For All of America's Woes" http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/reese.asp

Then it's our (voters) falut for not holding their feet to the fire and getting rid of the corrupt, liers, cheats and criminals that occupy our representative seats in congress and state legislature.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I won't buy any Irwin vise grips new. I will find them at swap meets. The next time I find some and buy them, I'm going to take a picture and email it to Irwin and voice my opinion about their move overseas. If I'm buying a chinese made tool, I'm not going to pay extra for a name brand on it.

I bought a 3 pack of imitation vise grips at TSC for 5 bucks. I bought them for welding, not wanting to ruin the few good VISE GRIPS that I have.

 

[Vicinity]

Where's the clearance table located? I need more tools.

 

[Alchymist]

Exactly. I'm far from a tool snob but I do greatly appreciate a good tool in my hands. I also greatly appreciate a tool in my hand that will get the job done. It doesn't matter to me if it's one that's considered high end, top of the line, best in the world, or if it came off the clearance stack at Harbor Freight.

For the record. My American Dodge Ram Megacab was built in Mexico, not Michigan.

For the record my Ford Supercab was built in Tennessee, from foreign parts.

That said, I'm the type that looks at the quality of the tool I pock up, and decide if it's up to my desires, then I look at the price to see if I want it.

Looking through the local Kmart at the Craftsman tools, some were proudly marked "MADE IN USA" on the front of the package, and some were marled "Made in China" on the back side.