all usa tools ?

[Dave455]

I'm happy to buy tools from anywhere that makes decent tools!

In the past, that's meant buying a lot of U.S. made tools, but primarily British made tools, which are, or were, better value if you live here!

My Grandfather just LOVED U.S. made tools. It wasn't just the quality, but he preferred the styling and finish! Blackhawk Sockets and Handles, some Williams too! Armstrong and Bonney wrenches, Stanley screwdrivers, Vac Grip Pliers, North Bros, Millers Falls, he had the lot! God knows where he sourced this stuff in 1920's /1930's London! He must have paid serious money for that stuff too, but then my Dad was still using it in the 80's, and I'm still using it today, so maybe it was a good deal in the long run!

Me - I've bought British made tools where I can. Top quality and reasonably priced! Unfortunately, all too many British tool companies have been sold to foreign owners who have generally trashed them!

So, that takes us back to buying U.S. made tools. I have never regretted my purchase of any U.S. made tool, and in some cases I derive a pleasure from their use that I doubt I'd get from the next best! I've always been careful though, you won't find me buying anything off a tool truck if it's a rebrand I can get cheaper elsewhere!

But... I'll buy anything that I reckon is decent. I don't follow self imposed rules about only buying from here, never buying from there etc! If I did, I'd never have discovered KoKen, Nepros, or a whole load of others! I have yet to encounter ANY tool made in China that I would put in the 'Decent' category though!

 

[RRmech]

My first encounter with foreign tools, was when a Canadian co-worker retired from the railroad.
I purchased ALL of his GRAY (CANADA) wrenches, ratchets, and socket sets.
Utterly amazing quality!!!

Yes folks, other countries are more than capable of producing quality tools.

Steve

 

[bcradio]

Thankfully, No!

 

[LumpyMusic]

...If people actually use their tools, yes you will break impact sockets...

I maintain three trucks, two passenger cars, three horse trailers and all the equipment to run a suburban mini-ranch. I've never broken any tool, socket, wrench, ratchet, screwdriver etc., made in US, China, Taiwan or anywhere else. WTF are you doing that's breaking impact sockets fer kreest's sake?


Sgt Lumpy

 

[shoggoth80]

Really? I've never broken an impact socket from 3/8" drive up to 3/4" drive, and I've seriously hammered on them. I've blown out guns over blasting apart the sockets, and I wrench for a living (and to save myself money), not a hobby. I've split chrome sockets down the side plenty of times... and they've usually been Cman that break.

 

[Davefr]

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

I think it would be a step backward to have all USA.

I like my Swiss Screwdrivers, my German Adj. Wrench, my Japanese digital caliper, Taiwan ratcheting wrenches, Chinese composite ratchet, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I think it would be a step backward to have all USA.

I like my Swiss Screwdrivers, my German Adj. Wrench, my Japanese digital caliper, Taiwan ratcheting wrenches, Chinese composite ratchet, etc, etc, etc.

I think it would be a step forward, especially if you got some vintage pieces that are made well.

 

[Mr. T]

I think it would be a step forward, especially if you got some vintage pieces that are made well.

I'd have no interest in "vintage" digital calipers. I have vintage USA adjustables that aren't as good as my new German. And I don't even like to look in the general direction of a screw driver unless I'm the original owner.

 

[zer0cell]

Most of my hand tools are made in USA. I do have a pretty large amount of German made tools though and a few others from places in Europe - I bought them because of their quality and uniqueness. I have a handful of them made in Mexico as well. VERY few of them are made in Taiwan/China. The only reason I have any from Taiwan/China is because there are a few unique things made there that I found useful and they happened to be of acceptable quality.

 

[PugetDude]

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

The bigger question is... do you store them in a HF 44" box?

 

[Negen]

I think people would be missing out if they limited themselves to a single COO. I buy USA made where I can. But if quality is better elsewhere I do buy that. My koken sockets are superior in every way to my craftsmen/armstrong and proto/blackhawk. But I like my SK (40 tooth I believe) ratchets better than my koken ratchets. I have yet to find an American made pliers that are equal or greater than my keiba pliers. In these days it is hard to find a locking pliers (without getting lucky enough to get NOS) that beat French made facom. Other than that most other hand tools can be found of decent enough quality with a made in USA stamp. It may be worth it to some people to use lesser quality tools just to get that Made in USA stamp, But I suspect that most people who use their tools to earn monies for their family would choose quality over COO.

 

[Davefr]

I think it would be a step forward, especially if you got some vintage pieces that are made well.

"Some" but not all. Useful features and quality trump nostalgia even if it's not USA.

Which would you rather use?

 

[greenlizard]

I do strive to have USA made as a priority.

That's pretty much it for me, too. As an amateur woodworker I can't pay $750 for a Festool tracksaw as much as I might want want one. Actually, I suppose I could, but my conscience won't let me. USA first, Canadian, German, Swiss, and Japanese after that. We do what we can. If, for instance, Milwaukee still made power tools in the US (not assembled) I would dump my Metabos and my German Bosch models in a New York minute. I'd pay a significant premium to get USA made, but not Festool prices. Note: not picking on Festool, just using them as an example of something that's too rich for me.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I would actually be pretty close to mostly USA if I could replace impact sockets, ratcheting wrenches, and 1/4 screwdriver bits. Mine work fine, but I just don't see the need to replace when they are working fine for me. I'm not a pro, so I must give that disclaimer.

 

[garfunkle24]

I can't think of a single tool that I said to myself, "Dang, wish I had an import over this USA made one."

Then you don't know much about tools and/or use them very hard. What US pliers compare to Knipex Cobras or NWS Quattros?

WTF are you doing that's breaking impact sockets fer kreest's sake?

Using them professionally.

I'm probably 40% US/Canada, 40% Western Europe, 15% Taiwan, 5% Chicom ****.

 

[iScream]

Using them professionally.

You misspelled Abusing.

 

[Mr. T]

So I'd also like to add to this thread that while USA made tools are certainly my preference, there is a reason I don't have a "problem" buying tools from Germany, Switzerland, The UK, France, Canada, or Japan. That reason is fair labor laws. If a nation has fair labor practices I feel like I am supporting someone's livelihood in a meaningful way. While I'd certainly prefer to support American manufacturing, I'm not opposed to supporting families elsewhere in the world.

That being said, I find China's protection of workers appalling. I will refuse to reward these practices any way that I can. That seems to be the root of the sentiment behind this thread.

 

[garfunkle24]

You misspelled Abusing.

Really? You think a professional tool user would have to be abusing tools to eventually break an impact socket? In fact the poster to whom i responded specifically referenced Chinese tools. So a professional user would have to "abuse" crappy Chicom impact sockets to eventually break one?

How the hell does one "abuse" an impact socket anyway? The only way I can even think of is using reducers. So what you're saying is I shouldn't run 1/4" drive sockets on my 2.5" drive hydraulic impact? Who knew?

I guess every tool ever made is of the highest possible quality and can only ever be damaged by "abuse".

You are either not a pro or haven't been one long enough. Get off your soapbox, your ignorance is showing from down here.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

95% USA, 4% quality from other countries, 1% jyppo..

 

[hangfirew8]

Are ANY of the ratcheting wrenches made in the USA? I mean ACTUALLY made in the USA?

Recent Armstrong.

 

[logical]

I think people should buy whatever they want. I have a lot of USA stuff but would be missing out on a lot of my favorite tools if I limited myself to just one country.

Are there people still who can't distinguish between a pot metal 40 pc socket set from China and a product from Koken, Wera, Facom or Hazlet?

I'd also go out on a limb and say that other countries, such as Germany, are able to make good cars but that's probably hard to believe for some too.

 

[AmateurMechanic]

I'd also go out on a limb and say that other countries, such as Germany, are able to make good cars but that's probably hard to believe for some too.

They certainly make cars that are good at evading EPA regulations

I kid, I kid.

 

[jeffmoss26]

99 percent USA, 1 percent foreign.

 

[iScream]

Really? You think a professional tool user would have to be abusing tools to eventually break an impact socket? In fact the poster to whom i responded specifically referenced Chinese tools. So a professional user would have to "abuse" crappy Chicom impact sockets to eventually break one?

How the hell does one "abuse" an impact socket anyway? The only way I can even think of is using reducers. So what you're saying is I shouldn't run 1/4" drive sockets on my 2.5" drive hydraulic impact? Who knew?

I guess every tool ever made is of the highest possible quality and can only ever be damaged by "abuse".

You are either not a pro or haven't been one long enough. Get off your soapbox, your ignorance is showing from down here.

It was half joke. Kind of like the joke of an argument that anyone who isn't a "professional" couldn't possibly know what they are talking about.

Look, I'm not attacking you here. I have nothing against you or any other person here making a living with their tools. But what exactly is a "professional" going to do to an impact socket that us weekend warrior types don't?

Do you have some super high torque impact gun not available to the rest of us? No, you don't.

Do you seriously believe that us non "professionals" buy tools just to look at them and never actually do anything to stress them? If you do believe that we just aren't going to be able to have a rational discussion.

I would actually expect a "professional" to have appropriate tools for the task they need to accomplish and be less likely to slip 3 foot of pipe over the end of a 24" breaker bar attached to a 1/2" impact socket.

I know many don't want to accept this but it's a fact that the Harbor Freight impact sets are pretty darn good today. Of course they aren't of the same quality as something like Snap-on but the gap in quality is getting smaller all the time.

The whole you must not be a "professional" if you don't agree with me force field that gets thrown out on GJ so often is a little ridiculous.

I think I'm gonna buy a 1/2" drive impact socket from Harbor Freight (I don't own any HF impact sockets) and a high end impact socket of the same size and see if I can break them both. My guess is that I'll snap my 24" breaker bar before either socket goes.

Chris

 

[garfunkle24]

It was half joke. Kind of like the joke of an argument that anyone who isn't a "professional" couldn't possibly know what they are talking about.

Look, I'm not attacking you here. I have nothing against you or any other person here making a living with their tools. But what exactly is a "professional" going to do to an impact socket that us weekend warrior types don't?

Putting them through millions of impact cycles, not thousands. I assume you've heard of metal fatigue?

Do you have some super high torque impact gun not available to the rest of us? No, you don't.

See above.

Do you seriously believe that us non "professionals" buy tools just to look at them and never actually do anything to stress them? If you do believe that we just aren't going to be able to have a rational discussion.

Comparatively speaking, yes.

I would actually expect a "professional" to have appropriate tools for the task they need to accomplish and be less likely to slip 3 foot of pipe over the end of a 24" breaker bar attached to a 1/2" impact socket.

1. I do not abuse my tools.
2. They still break sometimes.

I know many don't want to accept this but it's a fact that the Harbor Freight impact sets are pretty darn good today. Of course they aren't of the same quality as something like Snap-on but the gap in quality is getting smaller all the time.

I don't care. Wasn't talking about that.

The whole you must not be a "professional" if you don't agree with me force field that gets thrown out on GJ so often is a little ridiculous.

The credentials of a person involved in a debate is entirely relevant. One of those credentials is experience. The simple fact of the matter is that using anything professionally is not akin to a typical amateurs' use.

I think I'm gonna buy a 1/2" drive impact socket from Harbor Freight (I don't own any HF impact sockets) and a high end impact socket of the same size and see if I can break them both. My guess is that I'll snap my 24" breaker bar before either socket goes.

Which would prove what, exactly?

 

[M6erfan]

I'd say about 50% is US made, the rest is European or Japenese...

 

[iScream]

@ g24

I can't go too far with this. Ryan already bitched at me about "arguing on the internet".

So, if you want to debate, how about we start with what point you would like to make other than you are a professional so you are right. I'm having a hard time figuring out what else you have said.

I can see that metal fatigue could eventually contribute to impact socket failure and that more frequent usage would accelerate any fatigue and any failure that it might eventually cause. Was that your only point? If so, great, we completely agree.

Or, are you trying to make the point that USA made impact sockets will be less likely to fail due to metal fatigue or will take longer to fail for that reason? If so, tell us how many foreign made impact sockets you have had fail, due to metal fatigue, during your "professional" use. How many US made impact sockets have you had fail due to metal fatigue?

I think my little test will show whether a cheap impact socket from China breaks easier than a tool truck impact socket under stress. Ignoring some possibility of eventual breakage due to metal fatigue.

Chris

 

[garfunkle24]

A poster asked how people were breaking tools. I stated by using them professionally.

Without knowing a thing about me, you then presumed to accuse me of abusing my tools. You are wrong. That was my one and only point. That and that professional use is different to amateur.

I have made no comment here on the whole COO debate. Maybe you have confused me with another poster. Your reading comprehension needs work.

 

[Wakefield]

Aren't impact sockets that are soft more apt to wear out with use (get rounded inside or bell mouthed)(rounded in the drive end) while harder ones might crack?
(Edit)
In other words, good old impact sockets don't break,they just fade away. Wallow out,drive end and/or wrench end. (Usually)

The main thing about chrome sockets is that they are thinner and might explode into pieces on an impact gun. But the actual strength of the material is greater than impact socket material but the impact socket has more of it to be strong (material)

 

[FigureItOut]

Aren't impact sockets that are soft more apt to wear out with use (get rounded inside or bell mouthed)(rounded in the drive end) while harder ones might crack?

I was thinking about the same thing myself. Here's what really has me confused though. I am an under the impression that one characteristic of impact sockets and other accessories is that they're stiffer, in that they won't flex, such that the monetary torque of impact isn't wasted. To better illustrate, isn't this how a torque limiting extension works, by flexing a specific amount thus absorbing and negating impact torque?
If this is the case, then I would think that a stiffer, and therefore harder steel would be more likely to crack.
Perhaps I'm thinking of this with one more mistaken ideas, but it seems contradictory.

 

[garfunkle24]

Aren't impact sockets that are soft more apt to wear out with use (get rounded inside or bell mouthed)(rounded in the drive end) while harder ones might crack?

Yes, impact sockets are typically softer (cro-mo vs cr-v) but still do break sometimes, especially thin walled impact sockets for limited access. Maybe they work harden over time, but that's just a guess on my part.

 

[red97k1500]

I just cant help but comment after reading this thread.It makes a huge difference when you use your tools five or six days a week mutiple mutiple times a day.I have cracked so many snap on chrome 3/8 drive sockets by hand , I cant even count them all.I have also cracked snap on 3/8 drive deep impact sockets.The aluminum housing on my matco 3/8 drive impact gun even cracked after only two and ahalf years of professional use,and i never used chrome sockets on it.Work in a transmission shop for the next three years, five days a week and i promise you will break some tools.I have even had 8mm snapon chrome sockets split from just taking out transmission pan bolts.

 

[mark.dziamski]

I've been a professional mechanic for 15 years working on pretty much everything from pick ups to bull dozers and currently refuse trucks. I have broken countless chrome sockets of every brand from HF to SO. Still never broke an impact socket of any brand, and i use my 3/8 CM deep impacts every single day either on my CP 20V cordless or my IR 2115. Though I do not own and thin wall impacts so I can not comment on those.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[shoggoth80]

As a professional enough tool user...I am sometimes not left with a choice in whether or not I abuse something. I work out of an issued box, with mostly issued tools. I've had to slip the top half of a 2 piece jack handle over my ratchet to bust loose (way overtorqued) starter bolts in the field. Some stuff just gets the **** kicked out of it in service. Ratchet was fine. I've also split a Cman (USA made) 19mm down the side removing lug nuts. They're only torqued to 85 ft lbs on the little vehicles. But break it did. Most of the tools that I've had break in the job, have done so under normal circumstances.

I've yet to hammer an impact to death, regardless of brand and COO. Kobalt air guns are **** though. Had a few of those die early on (needed them, I couldn't afford better back then). Blew up an older IR 3/4" drive impact gun a few weeks ago. The Snappy 1 5/8" impact socket was fine. Lol.

Stuff breaks. It's true. Lol.

More on topic... I like my ratchets and wrenches US made. I am an opportunist with most things tools. I've got a good handful of Taiwan sockets from a few different manufacturers. They're pretty good. Really good even. Got some Chinese made Cman stuff. Not bad for the price paid. My GW stuff is much better though. The Alltrade made Powerbuilt sockets floating around at the car parts stores right now (Zeon and low profiles) are incredibly well made, inside and out.

I also like Euro tools. Especially German. Can't afford it all, but what bit I have is definitely good to go. Got a Spanish made Bahco ratchet that is basically a dual80. It's light, handy, comfortable, and strong.

COO means less and less as time goes on in terms of product. Manufacturing improves. Quality improves. I still don't really like China as a mainline source though. Zero problems with Taiwan or Japan otherwise. China will probably catch up, and sooner than we think.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Mostly but not all... It's almost impossible to have all USA made tools...

 

[jrobb316]

I have split CM chrome and snapon Impact sockets. Usually the socket is used so much you can tell its worn out before it splits down the side. My 19mm looked like a chrome socket I used it so much before it eventually gave up. That would never happen to a weekend warrior. I don't even entertain the thought of HF **** in my toolbox.

As for the OPs question probably 70% USA. 20% European. 10% other, most being Taiwan.

 

[shoggoth80]

I've got a couple Armstrongs that are more grey than black.

The Snap On impact that I've been using at work (and who knows how many before me) started to be noticeably wobbly at the drive end. I've got others in the correct size for lugs, so I'm not worried about it. Go figure though. Start taking about it, and it happens. Lol.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Then you don't know much about tools and/or use them very hard. What US pliers compare to Knipex Cobras or NWS Quattros?


---I think you meant, "Or just using them properly."

Using them professionally.

I'm probably 40% US/Canada, 40% Western Europe, 15% Taiwan, 5% Chicom ****.

---I'd better tell all the guys I work with to flush their stuff down the drain and go this way.

 

[Ponchoguy]

@ g24

I can't go too far with this. Ryan already bitched at me about "arguing on the internet".

So, if you want to debate, how about we start with what point you would like to make other than you are a professional so you are right. I'm having a hard time figuring out what else you have said.

I can see that metal fatigue could eventually contribute to impact socket failure and that more frequent usage would accelerate any fatigue and any failure that it might eventually cause. Was that your only point? If so, great, we completely agree.

Or, are you trying to make the point that USA made impact sockets will be less likely to fail due to metal fatigue or will take longer to fail for that reason? If so, tell us how many foreign made impact sockets you have had fail, due to metal fatigue, during your "professional" use. How many US made impact sockets have you had fail due to metal fatigue?

I think my little test will show whether a cheap impact socket from China breaks easier than a tool truck impact socket under stress. Ignoring some possibility of eventual breakage due to metal fatigue.

Chris

--Not saying anyone here does or is, but a professional doesn't break tools or use them incorrectly. Do things break? Sure, they wear out or you get a defect, it happens.

If ya use them properly, you should break very few.

 

[Ponchoguy]

The credentials of a person involved in a debate is entirely relevant. One of those credentials is experience. The simple fact of the matter is that using anything professionally is not akin to a typical amateurs' use.


---Define experience.