Best budget USA tools
- Thread starter restorick
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bwringer
Well-known member
FWIW, buying used tools does nothing to support US manufacturing, if that is part of your goal.
Tekton and Astro are good examples of US-based companies that use a mix of manufacturing. If I were starting from scratch, and rational cost were a consideration, I think I'd fire up Tekton.com and make a rather large order for the bulk of my needs.
Or, get Williams sockets and wrenches, and fill in the rest with a mix of brands, focusing on US COO.
Tekton and Astro are good examples of US-based companies that use a mix of manufacturing. If I were starting from scratch, and rational cost were a consideration, I think I'd fire up Tekton.com and make a rather large order for the bulk of my needs.
Or, get Williams sockets and wrenches, and fill in the rest with a mix of brands, focusing on US COO.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
As is pretty obvious from the responses above, THEIR ARE NO BUDGET USA MADE TOOLS. Perhaps you can get some deals on the used market but if you think you can walk into a store and pick up budget USA made hand tools you're living in 1955 not 2022.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Wright tools. I don't have any but they have a solid USA made reputation.
guitarbutt
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Ebay for auctions of SK sockets sold as lots. I've found many, many sockets that way. Tekton has some (not everything) USA made tools, and they're great. Their non USA stuff is great too, as a side note. Newer Craftsman stuff that is Chinese just aren't very good in my experience, but garage sale/ ebay USA finds are very good.
This isn't what you asked for in your post, but I'll mention it anyhow: Harbor Freight sockets, chrome and impact, are tough to beat. As long as you use common sense when shopping there, you can get really good tools. The $2 pliers won't turn the Titanic propeller after 110 years of sitting in salt water, but some people think the pliers should do that, for example. I was set on getting as many USA tools as possible, then thought "how are these corporations helping me in any way?", so I expanded my radar and am glad I did. I saved a lot of money, found some good vintage tools, and have lots of good quality stuff overall
This isn't what you asked for in your post, but I'll mention it anyhow: Harbor Freight sockets, chrome and impact, are tough to beat. As long as you use common sense when shopping there, you can get really good tools. The $2 pliers won't turn the Titanic propeller after 110 years of sitting in salt water, but some people think the pliers should do that, for example. I was set on getting as many USA tools as possible, then thought "how are these corporations helping me in any way?", so I expanded my radar and am glad I did. I saved a lot of money, found some good vintage tools, and have lots of good quality stuff overall
You get a good variety of US and probably some European tool brands at Epstein's; a GJ favorite.
Cripe Distributing will have good prices on New Old Stock (NOS) from US mfgs.
But if you want a complete wrench set, you'll have to hunt and pick around their site.
The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation
The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation
www.harryepstein.com
Cripe Distributing will have good prices on New Old Stock (NOS) from US mfgs.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
If USA made is not absolutely essential I've been happy with Channel lock. Still a US based company. The pliers are USA made, but most of the wrenches are made in Spain, sockets / ratchets in Taiwan. My Channel lock adjustable wrenches are almost identical to my Bahco wrenches and supposedly made in the same factory.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Another vote for channellock from me. I think channellock through Do It Best hardware stores has top notch marketing. Your mileage may vary.
My local hardware (Do-It-Best) has Crescent combination wrench sets in metric and fractional for twenty bucks. I almost bought some for my travel box but a member had a like new set of domestic in the classified section at a fantastic price so I bought them instead.
Dakotadadv8
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USA Craftsman Nov/Dec 2022. Not sure what your price point per tools as budget USA., may be too rich for you. Just another option.
If you want to use your tools in 2023 i wouldnt bet on this pony
Ton ton
Well-known member
Well said.
seber
Well-known member
I think USA and budget friendly really don't go together. You need to pick one or the other. Even looking for used is time consuming. If time is worth anything, then not budget friendly. If you can live with Taiwan, then Go to Harbor Freight and get picky about COO. Most of their hand tools are available as made in Taiwan but you have to look at each package. If time is available, then garage sales will eventually get you there, but it will take forever. If you live in a area where auctions are common, it may only take a few. Personally, I love live, in person auctions, but not everyone does.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
I would try to chase down as much Williams U.S.A. as I could.Your getting Snapon quality at a very fair price.Your supporting the American worker.Then I'd get out the Proto catalog.When your out at the cabin working on your stuff,you don't want tool failure.Enjoy the experience, life is to short to not reward yourself with good tools.You'll maybe thank me later
Shoreline_
Well-known member
Williams American made super combo's are pretty nice wrenches. Very smooth handles.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Not sure that "budget", "USA-made", and "quality" all go together. I try to buy American where I can, but I'm woefully grumpy about my big Briggs lawnmower engine.
Wright makes great tools, but they're definitely not budget-friendly for a second set of tools. With SK in a holding pattern for the foreseeable future, I've been buying some more Wright, and really liking it.
I hate to be another cheerleader, but Tekton is fine for your "other" set of tools. I have a pretty good set of Tekton packed and ready for junkyard missions. Aside from the clever 1/4" metric socket/ratchet kit, which is just awesome, the tools don't spark much joy.... but they do work. I'm pretty unkind to mine... and they do fine.
-Ryan
Wright makes great tools, but they're definitely not budget-friendly for a second set of tools. With SK in a holding pattern for the foreseeable future, I've been buying some more Wright, and really liking it.
I hate to be another cheerleader, but Tekton is fine for your "other" set of tools. I have a pretty good set of Tekton packed and ready for junkyard missions. Aside from the clever 1/4" metric socket/ratchet kit, which is just awesome, the tools don't spark much joy.... but they do work. I'm pretty unkind to mine... and they do fine.
-Ryan
If you are on a budget and are in no hurry… garage sales and yard sales will get you SAE for cheap. Put the vast majority of your budget towards metric.
Even if you limit yourself to $1 truck and industrial brands with no rust or chrome damage… you will still bring home more than you ever need (over a long enough time line) from garage/estate sales. Do not even touch tools with chrome damage or you are going to end up with drawers full of ****. Get picky fast is the best advice you can get, as far as used tools go.
If you don’t have much money and they have metric and SAE… buy the metric. There is always more SAE. Old people have way more SAE than metric.
Another piece of advice as far as buying used on a budget… your sets… they do not have to match… they don’t. As much as the GJ guys and their self diagnosed OCD get bent out of shape about matching… nobody is going to take away your birthday if your sets don’t match.
Even if you limit yourself to $1 truck and industrial brands with no rust or chrome damage… you will still bring home more than you ever need (over a long enough time line) from garage/estate sales. Do not even touch tools with chrome damage or you are going to end up with drawers full of ****. Get picky fast is the best advice you can get, as far as used tools go.
If you don’t have much money and they have metric and SAE… buy the metric. There is always more SAE. Old people have way more SAE than metric.
Another piece of advice as far as buying used on a budget… your sets… they do not have to match… they don’t. As much as the GJ guys and their self diagnosed OCD get bent out of shape about matching… nobody is going to take away your birthday if your sets don’t match.
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Another option to look at for a quality import that always gets forgotten is Urrea. Used to be Proto’s Mexican division. They proudly announce that they use all USA steel.
Much of their line is still identical to Proto offerings from 40-50 years ago. Even the part numbers are still the same.
Much of their line is still identical to Proto offerings from 40-50 years ago. Even the part numbers are still the same.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Wh
Who retails Urrea?
Home Depot and Lowes both do…there’s a few others for online orders, but I can’t think of the names.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Thank you.
I would suggest Grey Pneumatic duo sockets, They thin like regular sockets and can be used on an impact. Great value and come in a nice case for transport. The ratchets work nice, and I like the extension I have in 1/4 inch. I plan on getting 3/8 and 1/2 in both MM and SAE as needed.
Wright wrenches are the best value to performance especially in USA made tools. I have Tektons wrenches that work fine. Wright are lovely to pull on but are a thicker than Snap-On, so Snap-On will fit in tighter places.
Good luck.
Wright wrenches are the best value to performance especially in USA made tools. I have Tektons wrenches that work fine. Wright are lovely to pull on but are a thicker than Snap-On, so Snap-On will fit in tighter places.
Good luck.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
A lot of guys have mentioned it, but Williams for sockets and ratchets. You can get full sets of shallow/deep with extensions and a ratchet for under $200 each which is cheap for US tools. You can’t get anywhere near those prices with Proto or Wright. SK still isn’t putting out product, Blackhawk is dead, and Craftsman is still months out.
Wrenches, i personally ordered a mixed set of SAE from HJE for $90ish bucks. It’s got chrome, satin, and black oxide finishes and it contained some old Wright, some Wrightgrip 2.0, some old Williams along with some new Supercombos and some other manufacturers. That could be an option for you. Metric is another story, you’ll pay a decent price regardless unless you score something on Ebay.
Pliers, some of the Tekton pliers are US made Wilde ones and they are cheaper than Channellock. Tekton screwdrivers are also a really good price. They aren’t like the best, but you can customize a set and get a few bucks knocked off.
Wrenches, i personally ordered a mixed set of SAE from HJE for $90ish bucks. It’s got chrome, satin, and black oxide finishes and it contained some old Wright, some Wrightgrip 2.0, some old Williams along with some new Supercombos and some other manufacturers. That could be an option for you. Metric is another story, you’ll pay a decent price regardless unless you score something on Ebay.
Pliers, some of the Tekton pliers are US made Wilde ones and they are cheaper than Channellock. Tekton screwdrivers are also a really good price. They aren’t like the best, but you can customize a set and get a few bucks knocked off.
Clutchsmoke
Well-known member
Vaughan and Nupla for USA made hammers at a good price.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Estwing has nice rubber mallets. USA made. Not sure on the price point. Played with them @ rural king yesterday.
It has been mentioned before, but Williams USA Supercombo, Supertorque, and Caterpillar Williams (if it ever available again) are some of the best deals in USA tools. They have a much more rounded beam than Snap-on (kind of like Wright ergonomically). They are a joy to use.
Note… the “USA” ratcheting Supercombo wrenches are not stamped USA… they come with paper tags with a flag on them. I feel it would be safe to assume that the wrench is forged in USA and the mechanism is foreign.
Note 2… if you get the Williams short Supertorque combo set, it does not come with a 16mm or 18mm (at least the set that I bought). You will need to source these separately, possibly from another brand.
Note 3… I added the small wrenches 6-9mm to the Caterpillar set. The set was only 10-19mm. They are also only stamped on one side, which I think someone mentioned earlier in this thread (this is what I dislike most about this set). This is not a dealbreaker for me. I have vintage MAC, Bonney, Proto, and Armstrong that are only stamped on one side… I just do not prefer it.
Note… the “USA” ratcheting Supercombo wrenches are not stamped USA… they come with paper tags with a flag on them. I feel it would be safe to assume that the wrench is forged in USA and the mechanism is foreign.
Note 2… if you get the Williams short Supertorque combo set, it does not come with a 16mm or 18mm (at least the set that I bought). You will need to source these separately, possibly from another brand.
Note 3… I added the small wrenches 6-9mm to the Caterpillar set. The set was only 10-19mm. They are also only stamped on one side, which I think someone mentioned earlier in this thread (this is what I dislike most about this set). This is not a dealbreaker for me. I have vintage MAC, Bonney, Proto, and Armstrong that are only stamped on one side… I just do not prefer it.
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Chrome Vanadium Cody
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Here’s one I get a lot of use out of (and gets borrowed from my box most often):
chapmanmfg.com
Usa made bit ratchet sets. The ratchets themselves are kind of antiquated but the bits are really good- I especially like the hollow ground screwdriver bits in any size you can imagine. The bits also have a textured back end so in really tight spots you can use them between two fingers without the ratchet as a mini screwdriver or Allen wrench.
Speciality Screwdriver Sets Made in the USA by Chapman Manufacturing
Chapman MFG - Made in the USA for over 80 years, Chapman provides a variety of screwdriver sets for industrial assembly, maintenance, home repairs, and more. From our famous mini ratchet to our Master set, you will surely find the right fit for your precision job!
chapmanmfg.com
Usa made bit ratchet sets. The ratchets themselves are kind of antiquated but the bits are really good- I especially like the hollow ground screwdriver bits in any size you can imagine. The bits also have a textured back end so in really tight spots you can use them between two fingers without the ratchet as a mini screwdriver or Allen wrench.
I would not consider Chapman to be budget tools. Chapman is good stuff… but it is not cheap.Here’s one I get a lot of use out of (and gets borrowed from my box most often):
Speciality Screwdriver Sets Made in the USA by Chapman Manufacturing
Chapman MFG - Made in the USA for over 80 years, Chapman provides a variety of screwdriver sets for industrial assembly, maintenance, home repairs, and more. From our famous mini ratchet to our Master set, you will surely find the right fit for your precision job!
Usa made bit ratchet sets. The ratchets themselves are kind of antiquated but the bits are really good- I especially like the hollow ground screwdriver bits in any size you can imagine. The bits also have a textured back end so in really tight spots you can use them between two fingers without the ratchet as a mini screwdriver or Allen wrench.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What I like to do is go to my pawn shops and get lots of old USA stuff cheap. I can usually fill up a box with whatever I want for around $20. I’ve obtained countless old USA brands and tons of USA Craftsman stuff which is great stuff. And I’ll say Tekton is really nice too. And another one that’s on the same level as Tekton that I haven’t seen anyone mention yet is Capri. All made in Taiwan but still great tools. I use them professionally and haven’t had any issues. The Tekton and Capri are on the same level. Also despite what many say the Taiwan made Craftsman sockets and screwdrivers aren’t bad, the China yeah don’t get near them. And avoid everything else except those things. There are lots of decent brands out there and it’s hard to find new USA on a budget unless you come across a excellent deal for NOS. I’ll say I’ve also been very happy with all auto parts stores tools too all made in Taiwan except Duralast but Duralast is still really good the older stuff was Taiwan made that’s another brand I use professionally that is absolutely amazing. I have so many brands in my box I can’t count them all lol. But not many companies make bad tools these days. I understand wanting USA which is fine but there are so many brands out there that are good it’s hard to just pick out the USA ones anymore especially the budget friendly ones.
Ton ton
Well-known member
****… I can’t remember. I know when they sent the ratcheting wrench set… they sent one wrong wrench. They sent me a correct one, and told me to keep the wrong one. The short Supertorques are from the same site. It is somewhere in the new tool arrival thread but years ago…
The CAT combination wrench set and the 4 small wrenches are from cat.parts.com.
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FrogBlastTheVentCore
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Williams for sockets, Wright for wrenches.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
The rub with used tools is that you're not really helping the USA worker, if that's your jam. Also, lotsa used tools can just be plain worn out. I've got loads of used tools. Lots are good, lots are not as tight fitting as a new Taiwan equivalent.
Another vote for Capri.
-Ryan
Another vote for Capri.
-Ryan
Blake has a bunch of Capri and loves it too. I only have 6,8, and 10 in XZN (except a crazy extra long Matco set from the VIM closeout sale page RIP… I miss it). I have the Capri set in my Amazon cart. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but I probably will.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
"Budget" and "USA-made" are not generally in the same Venn circles these days. But you generally do get what you pay for.
Pliers, Screwdrivers, and electrical-related tools: Klein. Their Taiwan-sourced stuff is quite good, though.
Ideal still has some USA-made screwdrivers and pliers, but I've noticed most of their pliers are now China-sourced since Ideal sold off SK (and the tooling).
Some Southwire pliers and screwdrivers are made in USA. The former are made by Pro-America, but they are not as nice as Klein.
Milwaukee will have a range of pliers and other hand tools that will be made in USA very soon.
Williams and Tekton make good screwdrivers in the USA. Proto used to be all USA, but now the shanks are imported. Channellock acetate-handle drivers are also good, but they probably won't be around much longer since they are sourced from Ideal.
Channellock and Wilde both make great pliers for the money.
Malco makes high quality tools for HVAC and sheetmetal work.
Hammers: Vaughan and Estwing.
Wrenches: Proto, Williams, and Tekton (angle-head wrenches only). Craftsman will be an option again soon.
Sockets and Ratchets: Williams, Proto, and SK (if you can find them). Again, Craftsman will soon be an option again.
Pry Bars, Chisels, Punches: Mayhew and Wilde.
Power Tools: Most are made in China, but DeWalt has some that are mostly made in USA.
Some Lenox saw blades are USA-made. Milaukee has some as well.
Zephyr makes insert bits and power bits in the USA. Apex did, but they seems to have moved to China-sourced bits.
Norsman makes drill bits here.
Adjustable Wrenches: You are out of luck, since Wester Forge was the last US manufacturer of those, and they made them for pretty much every other brand. Either go used, or go Channellock, which are made in Spain, and are quite good.
Check out the Truck Tool thread that's sticky. A lot of Snap-On/Mac and all Matco tools are made by other companies, including some in America.
Pliers, Screwdrivers, and electrical-related tools: Klein. Their Taiwan-sourced stuff is quite good, though.
Ideal still has some USA-made screwdrivers and pliers, but I've noticed most of their pliers are now China-sourced since Ideal sold off SK (and the tooling).
Some Southwire pliers and screwdrivers are made in USA. The former are made by Pro-America, but they are not as nice as Klein.
Milwaukee will have a range of pliers and other hand tools that will be made in USA very soon.
Williams and Tekton make good screwdrivers in the USA. Proto used to be all USA, but now the shanks are imported. Channellock acetate-handle drivers are also good, but they probably won't be around much longer since they are sourced from Ideal.
Channellock and Wilde both make great pliers for the money.
Malco makes high quality tools for HVAC and sheetmetal work.
Hammers: Vaughan and Estwing.
Wrenches: Proto, Williams, and Tekton (angle-head wrenches only). Craftsman will be an option again soon.
Sockets and Ratchets: Williams, Proto, and SK (if you can find them). Again, Craftsman will soon be an option again.
Pry Bars, Chisels, Punches: Mayhew and Wilde.
Power Tools: Most are made in China, but DeWalt has some that are mostly made in USA.
Some Lenox saw blades are USA-made. Milaukee has some as well.
Zephyr makes insert bits and power bits in the USA. Apex did, but they seems to have moved to China-sourced bits.
Norsman makes drill bits here.
Adjustable Wrenches: You are out of luck, since Wester Forge was the last US manufacturer of those, and they made them for pretty much every other brand. Either go used, or go Channellock, which are made in Spain, and are quite good.
Check out the Truck Tool thread that's sticky. A lot of Snap-On/Mac and all Matco tools are made by other companies, including some in America.
SyluxGuy28O3
Active member
My preference would be SK or GP for sockets. Both are good mid range options, and both brands are my go to for any of my socket needs.