thetool
Well-known member
anyone else have all usa made tools and no foreign stuff ?, ive got 4 Japanese ratchets to get rid of and it will all be usa tools 
all usa tools ?
- Thread starter thetool
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James-W
Well-known member
I have a lot of USA made tools, but not ALL of my tools are USA made. I guess my question to you is, why should I get rid of the non-USA tools I have when they are working perfectly fine?
What do you use for power tools? Hard to find domestically produced stuff.
Are the Japanese ratchets craftsman? Thought I knew someone who collected them but I can't place it now.
I like my USA stuff but I sure like my Knipex pliers, Bahco adjustables, and Wera screwdrivers.
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Are the Japanese ratchets craftsman? Thought I knew someone who collected them but I can't place it now.
I like my USA stuff but I sure like my Knipex pliers, Bahco adjustables, and Wera screwdrivers.
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Strouty
Well-known member
I have a lot of tools made elsewhere that I would not want to let go of. Some things are just better made in other places. I do strive to have USA made as a priority.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Are and we talking hand tools only? Because nowadays its impossible to get USA made power tools. I think Dewalt is the only one that does USA. And that's only assembled in the USA. My tool box is probably 90% USA made hand tools.
anyone else have all usa made tools and no foreign stuff ?, ive got 4 Japanese ratchets to get rid of and it will all be usa tools
Me, mostly. The foreign tools I have were given to me. As for power tools, I have older USA made ones.
95% USA Craftsman for me.
Mr. T
Well-known member
I'm employed in manufacturing in the USA so I get what buying American means to real people. That being said, I make my money with tools. If you make the best tool you get my business. Patriotism doesn't trump quality for me.
I'd say I'm about 80% USA, 18% German, and some Canadian, British, and Swiss.
I'd say I'm about 80% USA, 18% German, and some Canadian, British, and Swiss.
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I can't think of a single tool that I said to myself, "Dang, wish I had an import over this USA made one."
rockinacummins
Well-known member
Nah, I've got some from everywhere. My go to ratchet and sockets are actually Taiwan. They are excellent quality.
In a perfect world everything I own would be USA. But the world isn't perfect and I'm far from rich.
In a perfect world everything I own would be USA. But the world isn't perfect and I'm far from rich.
I'd say over 95% of my tools are made in USA. Some things, like the TigerTool set are made in Canada. I have less than 1% made in the Far East. In my home, we buy everything made in USA first, if at all available. Then Canada, Western Europe, then the rest of the world.
LumpyMusic
Well-known member
One of my students summed it up nicely...
He has a pair of pliers that sits on his swimming pool filter. He uses them whenever he needs to change out the filter cartridges - once a year or longer. He says -
"I think I paid a dollar for them at the grocery store. I'm not sure where they're made. They have a little rust on them but they've sat out there on the pool pump for 20 years in the weather. I've never cleaned them or lubed them. They work whenever I need them. Now I read about guys using Knipex pliers that cost something like 40 dollars. Do I need to get rid of my cheap pliers and buy those expensive pliers?"
Sgt Lumpy
Can I try?
Well-known member
OK. Just playing devil's advocate here.
Can you name an American manufacturer that makes JIS screwdrivers or Whitworth sockets?
I support USA-made as much as the next guy here, and would be ecstatic if you can.
Or, would you argue that since a US manufacturer doesn't make these tools, equipment using JIS or Whitworth hardware isn't worthy of being worked on?
I love my Megadora screwdrivers. Please don't take them away!
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mostly USA, some Germany, some other Europe, some china, some Taiwan. Guess I have the UN of tool boxes. I don't strive to get rid of anything... USA or Germany is my choice tho...
Please note: the majority of my china tools are duplicates of what I already have USA.
Please note: the majority of my china tools are duplicates of what I already have USA.
OK. Just playing devil's advocate here.
Can you name an American manufacturer that makes JIS screwdrivers or Whitworth sockets?
I support USA-made as much as the next guy here, and would be ecstatic if you can.
Or, would you argue that since a US manufacturer doesn't make these tools, equipment using JIS or Whitworth hardware isn't worthy of being worked on?
I love my Megadora screwdrivers. Please don't take them away!
Craftsman (via Moore Drop Forge/Easco/Danaher) did.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
The vast majority of my hand tools are USA made CM, SO, Mac and Wright (About 90% USA made).
While I prefer to buy USA, it's not always possible.
On the power tool side, I have a nice mix of USA made Porter Cable, with a little Bosch and Milwaukee (older stuff). My Stationary tools are Imported CM, Jet and other and a few others.
Cutting tools for routers and shapers are almost all Bosch.
While I prefer to buy USA, it's not always possible.
On the power tool side, I have a nice mix of USA made Porter Cable, with a little Bosch and Milwaukee (older stuff). My Stationary tools are Imported CM, Jet and other and a few others.
Cutting tools for routers and shapers are almost all Bosch.
1950mercury
Well-known member
Most are USA made. But if u limit ur tools to USA only you are missing out on some great German, swiss etc tools
Can I try?
Well-known member
Wakefield
Well-known member
Mostly USA tools -don't have a whole lot of objection to Taiwan tools but prefer to buy mostly American
A good many Craftsman tools but most of them are old and the Sears is gone-will seek out Snap On for something critical or when I feel like treating myself or some special purpose tool-a couple Japanese tools,my Father was over there after the surrender and he saw them as sort of a high culture-by the way the Nepros 17 mm. deep socket completely swallows the wrenching head of the lug bolt I found that won't fit all of the way into my shallow broached 17 mm. American impact socket-that lug bolt looks like it means business,it is much thicker than a leftover lug stud that was for a 67 Oldsmobile,I think it is M14 The Nepros NB4L-17 socket does not have a full length broach but broach is somewhat longer than some other sockets
I avoid (RED) Chinese tools
and I do think old Craftsman is usually good enough but Snap On is better or might be the only thing that will fit sometimes. But serious $
A good many Craftsman tools but most of them are old and the Sears is gone-will seek out Snap On for something critical or when I feel like treating myself or some special purpose tool-a couple Japanese tools,my Father was over there after the surrender and he saw them as sort of a high culture-by the way the Nepros 17 mm. deep socket completely swallows the wrenching head of the lug bolt I found that won't fit all of the way into my shallow broached 17 mm. American impact socket-that lug bolt looks like it means business,it is much thicker than a leftover lug stud that was for a 67 Oldsmobile,I think it is M14 The Nepros NB4L-17 socket does not have a full length broach but broach is somewhat longer than some other sockets
I avoid (RED) Chinese tools
and I do think old Craftsman is usually good enough but Snap On is better or might be the only thing that will fit sometimes. But serious $
justanengineer
Well-known member
I'd guess ~95% of my hand tools are made in USA, for power tools Ive got an M18 driver and drill and a newer Chinese Milwaukee 4.5" corded grinder, but everything else is old USA Milwaukee. My machines are all USA made including my welders. I'd guess most of my "imported" stuff is machine tooling, most of its still USA made but I do have quite a few Royal (England) collets and other European items.
stihlntime
Well-known member
Mine used to be primarily American made. The last few years it's prolly 65% USA made and 35% German and Swiss. Folks are missing out if they stay with 100% USA made tools. I support American mg as much as anyone but their is a ton of affordable exception quality tools being made in Europe.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Well, I have good tools a n d cheapo tools.
Most all of my good tools are USA made name brands.
Most of my cheapo tools are from ChiTaIwandia, or late production USA Craftsman.
But some of my name brand USA tools are a disappointment,
and some of my cheapo tools work fine for my needs.
Overall, I prefer to stick to USA made tools; but keep in mind that being selective
should be factored into every tool purchase..
Most all of my good tools are USA made name brands.
Most of my cheapo tools are from ChiTaIwandia, or late production USA Craftsman.
But some of my name brand USA tools are a disappointment,
and some of my cheapo tools work fine for my needs.
Overall, I prefer to stick to USA made tools; but keep in mind that being selective
should be factored into every tool purchase..
DonkDonk
Well-known member
Are ANY of the ratcheting wrenches made in the USA? I mean ACTUALLY made in the USA?
My Craftsmans are.
Can I try?
Well-known member
See, now this is what I get for opening my big, uninformed mouth. You guys politely point out my feet!
This information about Moody Tools I find especially interesting. When I realized I needed JIS screwdrivers I read through all the JIS threads. I remember a lot of talk about Megadora and Hozan, but I can't recall anyone mentioning Moody. Oh well. I'm very happy with the Megadora set I chose. I'll just have to keep Moody on my radar in the future. Thank you.
mark.dziamski
Well-known member
Apples and oranges here. He's had the pliers for 20 years used for his pool filter getting changed about once a years. So it's safe to say he's used those pliers only 20 times. now you can compare that to those of us who use our pliers at least 20 times a week. So 20 times a week over the course of 20 years is over 20k. Now would those elcheapo grocery store pliers hold up to that use. I think not.
I've told plenty of people this, harbor freight = mostly junk in my world, but great for the occasional use around the house. In the professional world, most HF will not hold up
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My tool collection is in its infancy. While purchasing American is nice, I sometimes feel it's unnecessary (GASP!!) for some tools. The elemental hand tools I buy are either from USA or Europe, but I'm not willing to overpay or ignore quality Taiwanese pieces simply because of the COO. I won't buy anything Chinese except for power tools.
DonkDonk
Well-known member
I dare you to break a Harbor Freight impact socket.
dodge610
Well-known member
mark.dziamski
Well-known member
I can honestly say I have never broken an impact socket of any brand. Mine are a collection of craftsman, husky, kobalt, grey pneumatic, snap on, Matco, harbor freight and gear wrench. My snap on and matcos are specialty sockets, my gear Wrench are swivel impacts and my harbor freight are the metric/sae and torx impacts. Every thing else is just regular impacts.
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Considering all things from Harbor Freight were forged from the hand of Almighty God himself, it better not break. If people actually use their tools, yes you will break impact sockets. I suppose the HF impact gun doesn't have enough balls to break a socket though, so I guess I can understand that.justanengineer
Well-known member
I tell folks who insist on buying everything new that regularly. Ive BTDT with buying new tools, sold most of those ~10 years ago now and started buying vintage tools bc I found it more enjoyable, better quality, and cheaper prices.
My father's broken several over 10 years or so, at Christmas he tagged along with our shopping to get at least his third 1/2" impact set so I ended up giving him an SK set I had that was extra. He spends most every day working on or using antique tractors and implements, its kinda rough environment to work in.
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christopher7390
Well-known member
80% of my tools are US made.
20% are gearwrench.
Wouldnt go with any other "non-US made" brand
20% are gearwrench.
Wouldnt go with any other "non-US made" brand
boatmechanic1989
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2015
- Messages
- 8
why would that be important? surely if they are quality and do the job. i have seen some mechanic's using absolute 'rubbish' and actually the best example of this was the best mechanic i have known and he could do everything a independent garage could throw at you with 15 pound (in money, using european keyboard with no sign) ratchets and other handtools from a DIY store own brand.
Then again most of my gear is MAC-alleged to have been made in usa.
Then again most of my gear is MAC-alleged to have been made in usa.