Best budget USA tools

[restorick]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to stock some mechanics tools at my cottage in northern WI so I don't have to lug stuff back and forth from home. I've been scouring ads here and locally for USA made tools (sockets, wrenches, etc.).

That said, was wondering if you have any suggestions for budget-friendly new tools that are made in the USA.

Appreciate any and all feedback!

Thanks,
Rick

 

[m6z]

Maybe Williams if you're shopping new.

 

[dsh]

Channellock pliers
Ullman picks
Vaughn hammers
Walmart Hyper Tough pry bars

 

[d.mcfarland]

If new old stock counts, I would think eBay for USA Craftsman should be just about perfect in this case.

 

[Davefr]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to stock some mechanics tools at my cottage in northern WI so I don't have to lug stuff back and forth from home. I've been scouring ads here and locally for USA made tools (sockets, wrenches, etc.).

That said, was wondering if you have any suggestions for budget-friendly new tools that are made in the USA.

Appreciate any and all feedback!

Thanks,
Rick

What's your definition of budget friendly?

For wrenches and sockets your choices will be Williams, Proto and Wright. They are a little less expensive then the tool truck brands but far higher then you can buy from Taiwan or China.

For real budget friendly US tools, buying used will get you the best ROI.

 

[tool_scrounge]

For real budget friendly US tools, buying used will get you the best ROI.

^ this. Quality used will be cheaper if you shop around.

 

[GeoBruin]

Blackhawk by proto. Wrenches and hand sockets are USA made. Best deal going through I believe they have been discontinued in the last couple years. There's still plenty of stock from random Amazon sellers and more notable stores like Circle C Supply.

 

[Xcursion88]

SK all day long.
Sockets are the best because of that undercut in the cosmetics ( you can grip thst to remove socket)
Looking at you snap on 3/8 drive sockets thst you cant remove if the slightest bit of grease is on them.

Get the sk x-frame wrenches for wrench needs.

 

[Fedwrench]

I know you asked about US made budget tools but, I think you should consider Tekton. They offer US made screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, picks, and pry bars. The bulk of their hardline is made in Taiwan. However, it's very budget friendly, offers great warranty support, and if you order from Tekton.com you get 10% back in bonus points that spend like cash along with free shipping once registered. Their current socket and ratchet offerings are outstanding and their wrenches also offer excellent value. I use the hell out of their tools daily in a professional setting without any issues. Wide selection of no skip sizing in metric and SAE.
US made Craftsman can be hit or miss for being budget friendly since some Ebay crazies seem to value it the same as snap on Good luck in your quest.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Blackhawk by proto. Wrenches and hand sockets are USA made. Best deal going through I believe they have been discontinued in the last couple years. There's still plenty of stock from random Amazon sellers and more notable stores like Circle C Supply.

I'd be careful with Blackhawk. In more recent years Stanley shifted some if not all of Blackhawk production to China.

 

[Professional Tool User]

For sockets and wrenches, there really aren't any new USA made options that qualify as budget. Your mid price range brands like Blackhawk, Craftsman, and Husky have long outsourced production. With other categories like pliers and screwdrivers you at least still have brands like Channellock and Tekton. Your best bet is to look at high end brands like Proto and Wright that attract less attention than brands like Craftsman and Snap on to avoid overpaying.

 

[Davefr]

SK all day long.
Sockets are the best because of that undercut in the cosmetics ( you can grip thst to remove socket)
Looking at you snap on 3/8 drive sockets thst you cant remove if the slightest bit of grease is on them.

Get the sk x-frame wrenches for wrench needs.

SK is dead. There's nothing you can order from them. It remains to be seen if they'll ever return.

 

[Fedwrench]

SK is dead. There's nothing you can order from them. It remains to be seen if they'll ever return.

SK isn't dead. They're just taking a nap. I mean it looks like that had time and inventory to make ratchets for Olsa Tools but, I wouldn't consider those ratchet budget friendly. Time will tell what the reborn SK has to offer.

 

[lardy1]

Your budget and wants/needs will ultimately dictate your purchase. It seems by the original post that this will not be the primary tools in your arsenal. As has been pointed out, domestic tools really don't qualify as "budget". Second hand shopping can be time consuming, frustrating and often just fruitless. Warranty can be questionable as well. There are a ton of good import tools on the market and a lot of sellers carry a broad range. I'm a domestic tool guy myself and am not in any way suggesting buying import if your needs and budget allow.

 

[restorick]

I know you asked about US made budget tools but, I think you should consider Tekton. They offer US made screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, picks, and pry bars. The bulk of their hardline is made in Taiwan. However, it's very budget friendly, offers great warranty support, and if you order from Tekton.com you get 10% back in bonus points that spend like cash along with free shipping once registered. Their current socket and ratchet offerings are outstanding and their wrenches also offer excellent value. I use the hell out of their tools daily in a professional setting without any issues. Wide selection of no skip sizing in metric and SAE.
US made Craftsman can be hit or miss for being budget friendly since some Ebay crazies seem to value it the same as snap on Good luck in your quest.

Appreciate your suggestion, and those of all the others who responded. You're right - my used search on Ebay and here haven't produced much. I've purchased some Tekton tools in the past - generally single use/purpose tools, but they've been excellent to deal with and the quality is surprisingly good.

Thanks!

 

[restorick]

Your budget and wants/needs will ultimately dictate your purchase. It seems by the original post that this will not be the primary tools in your arsenal. As has been pointed out, domestic tools really don't qualify as "budget". Second hand shopping can be time consuming, frustrating and often just fruitless. Warranty can be questionable as well. There are a ton of good import tools on the market and a lot of sellers carry a broad range. I'm a domestic tool guy myself and am not in any way suggesting buying import if your needs and budget allow.

Yepper - these tools will be convenience tools so I can eliminate the need to remember to haul stuff back and forth. Example - I left my socket rails in the box in the garage at the cottage, so I'm relegated to borrowing until I get back up there over Labor Day. I'll use them while at the cottage to wrench on the boat, UTV, and trucks when needed.

You're spot on about the used shopping, especially on eBay. Lots of folks are really proud of what they're selling, which makes it even more frustrating.

Thanks for the response!

 

[lardy1]

Tekton is a good source. I have quite a bit of their stuff and it's high enough quality to be front line tools. Lot's of others out there as well.

 

[restorick]

What's your definition of budget friendly?

For wrenches and sockets your choices will be Williams, Proto and Wright. They are a little less expensive then the tool truck brands but far higher then you can buy from Taiwan or China.

For real budget friendly US tools, buying used will get you the best ROI.

I hear ya, definition of "budget friendly" is pretty subjective. For what I'm doing, I don't truly need USA made. It's a personal preference. That said, I've had good experiences with Taiwan made tools.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Corndoggeh]

Is it possible you'd be able to wait until the Ft Worth line of Craftsman tools make it to shelves? From what Ive heard is that theyre producing the tool sets and are currently building up inventory ahead of the release so maybe early-mid 2023?

 

[Rwfrench3]

I’m also a Tekton fan. Have been very happy with what I’ve got from them. I prefer to use all American made tools, Proto being first choice, but I simply can’t afford them.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Is it possible you'd be able to wait until the Ft Worth line of Craftsman tools make it to shelves? From what Ive heard is that theyre producing the tool sets and are currently building up inventory ahead of the release so maybe early-mid 2023?

Why wait? Stanley has been dragging it's feet on rolling out USA made Craftsman tools. Tekton has shown more commitment to increasing USA made content than Stanley ever will at this rate. If I'm waiting, I'd be hunting on the used market for Proto and other lesser known high end options. The amount spent in the end is likely the same except you are buying a high end tool instead of a mid price range one.

 

[Corndoggeh]

Why wait? Stanley has been dragging it's feet on rolling out USA made Craftsman tools. Tekton has shown more commitment to increasing USA made content than Stanley ever will at this rate. If I'm waiting, I'd be hunting on the used market for Proto and other lesser known high end options. The amount spent in the end is likely the same except you are buying a high end tool instead of a mid price range one.

Understandable, I think Stanley jumped the gun too when they announced the factory and what it will produce before they had even broke ground though companies jumping the gun like that is nothing new. Starting up a factory from scratch is very different than contracting out to vendors with already established processes and thats without the COVID wildcard disrupting everything from labor to raw material.

If OP was looking for new it might be worth hanging on a bit longer but otherwise used/overstock/NOS would be the best bang for the buck right now.

 

[Professional Tool User]

SK isn't dead. They're just taking a nap. I mean it looks like that had time and inventory to make ratchets for Olsa Tools but, I wouldn't consider those ratchet budget friendly. Time will tell what the reborn SK has to offer.

I think what he was trying to get at is that SK deserves a status downgrade to defunct tool brand until the restructuring of the brand proves otherwise.

 

[Komet]

Milwaukee is starting up a US factory as well, but that doesn't help you now. I've managed a few reasonable scores on Craftsman USA and Snap On stuff off ebay, it's all about using the right search terms and sorting by price.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I like Tekton but the prices have gone up a lot lately. Here is a post of mine from 3 months back

Historically I have liked the value of Tekton, but the prices have really gone up lately. I had to outfit a tool box at work about 18 months ago and bought 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 SAE and metric socket sets + other tools. I kept a spreadsheet of everything purchased in case I needed to do this again, Recently I was going to buy an identical setup for another lab and I check the new prices. Everything Tekton was 50% more than 18 months ago.

 

[ecotec]

If you have a Caterpillar dealership nearby, I would order at least the 1/4” 6pt metric shallow and deep and the 3/8” 6pt shallow from them.

I would also order a 5pc screwdriver set in the PAKTY. They had a 6pc screwdriver set, too, but it did not have the PAKTY.

parts.cat.com

…edit… nothing seems to be available anymore… it used to be the best deal in tools. It was the cheapest way to get “Snap-on”. Other than the CAT branding, the sockets look just like Snap-on… and it was super cheap… like stupid cheap.

Some of the tools even say Snap-on… but are cheaper than on the Snap-on site. I figured that if this made it onto GJ… everyone would just buy up the existing stock within minutes… and they would raise the prices. I can’t be the only guy on here that keeps a few secrets…

Don’t buy the ratchets, they are just Williams, not dual80.

 

[GeoBruin]

I'd be careful with Blackhawk. In more recent years Stanley shifted some if not all of Blackhawk production to China.

Not sure where you got your info but that's simply not true. Below are links to combo wrenches and sockets directly on Proto's site as well as well respected sellers who list country of origin. I own full sets of combo wrenches, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive hand sockets all purchased new in the last few years and they all have USA stamped right on them.

I also have sets of impact sockets, bit sockets, and multiple sets of ratcheting wrenches all made in Taiwan.

Home Industrial Tools Official Site | PROTO

Proto Industrial Tools - Safety Obsessed

www.protoindustrial.com

Home Industrial Tools Official Site | PROTO

Proto Industrial Tools - Safety Obsessed

www.protoindustrial.com

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/05916184

Blackhawk By Proto SATIN FIN 12PT COMBO WR 11MM BW-1111M | Zoro

Order Blackhawk By Proto SATIN FIN 12PT COMBO WR 11MM, BW-1111M at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[Fedwrench]

Not sure where you got your info but that's simply not true. Below are links to combo wrenches and sockets directly on Proto's site as well as well respected sellers who list country of origin. I own full sets of combo wrenches, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive hand sockets all purchased new in the last few years and they all have USA stamped right on them.

I also have sets of impact sockets, bit sockets, and multiple sets of ratcheting wrenches all made in Taiwan.

Home Industrial Tools Official Site | PROTO

Proto Industrial Tools - Safety Obsessed

www.protoindustrial.com

Home Industrial Tools Official Site | PROTO

Proto Industrial Tools - Safety Obsessed

www.protoindustrial.com

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/05916184

Blackhawk By Proto SATIN FIN 12PT COMBO WR 11MM BW-1111M | Zoro

Order Blackhawk By Proto SATIN FIN 12PT COMBO WR 11MM, BW-1111M at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

The key thing to note on Zoro's website is that Country of origin is subject to change. I'm not sure if Proto's website is up to date. Blackhawk's newer round heads and pear head ratchets aren't US made. I think you have to consider each Blackhawk tool on a tool by tool basis until the brand fades away completely.

Pictured below are the same Blackhawk pear head 3/8 drive ratchet. The link from Proto's website shows an American Flag meaning that it's made in the USA. However, that is incorrect. That ratchet series has always been Taiwan made.
The second link from Grainger shows the ratchet as being made in Taiwan.

Home Industrial Tools Official Site | PROTO

Proto Industrial Tools - Safety Obsessed

www.protoindustrial.com

https://www.grainger.com/product/6UAG3#sku=BP-1338

There are lots of US made Blackhawk tools on the market, and there are lots of Blackhawk tools on the market that have no country of origin stamped on them. If the tool doesn't have USA stamped on it, then it isn't made here.

 

[Ton ton]

.

 

[boom_bap]

I heard on the youtube that the craftsman stuff might be expected q4 this year (oct-dec).

 

[GeoBruin]

The key thing to note on Zoro's website is that Country of origin is subject to change. I'm not sure if Proto's website is up to date. Blackhawk's newer round heads and pear head ratchets aren't US made. I think you have to consider each Blackhawk tool on a tool by tool basis until the brand fades away completely.

Pictured below are the same Blackhawk pear head 3/8 drive ratchet. The link from Proto's website shows an American Flag meaning that it's made in the USA. However, that is incorrect. That ratchet series has always been Taiwan made.
The second link from Grainger shows the ratchet as being made in Taiwan.

Home Industrial Tools Official Site | PROTO

Proto Industrial Tools - Safety Obsessed

www.protoindustrial.com

https://www.grainger.com/product/6UAG3#sku=BP-1338

There are lots of US made Blackhawk tools on the market, and there are lots of Blackhawk tools on the market that have no country of origin stamped on them. If the tool doesn't have USA stamped on it, then it isn't made here.

Okay, yes, some Blackhawk tools are not USA made. I've purchased socket and ratchet sets in the last few years that shipped with what I think is probably a facom made ratchet instead of the old USA made round head that was pictured in the product images (and had words with the seller about this fact until they went and found me an old stock round head).

But all the sockets that were shipped in the sets were usa made and were stamped as such. That is all very different than the previous poster's assertion that "Stanley shifted some if not all of Blackhawk production to China."

 

[Xcursion88]

SK is dead. There's nothing you can order from them. It remains to be seen if they'll ever return.

Uuhh...I can buy anything I need from my wholesaler.

In the last 3 months two items i needed were out of stock but inventory was replenished within a couple of weeks.

There are other outlets than buying tools directly from the mfg and by the actions listed above they would take care of their distributors first and foremost before selling direct to public. It's simply taking care of your working relationships.

 

[KnurledNut]

@restorick

Hop on down to Kenosha for some dumpster diving!

 

[F-22]

Do you want specifically US made tools, or just avoid Asian imports? Cause there are some great quality European brands that are worth considering too. Of course I might be biased in a different way since I'm from Europe. Most of my tools are German made, but it's very cool to own a US made tool for me. Snap On is next to impossible to get, but I was lucky enough to get someone to ship over an old-ish dual 80 ratchet to me, and it's got a bit of a honorable place on my toolcart

 

[restorick]

@restorick

Hop on down to Kenosha for some dumpster diving!

Indeed! Now that's something I haven't done in 30 years... Perhaps now is a good time!

 

[restorick]

Do you want specifically US made tools, or just avoid Asian imports? Cause there are some great quality European brands that are worth considering too. Of course I might be biased in a different way since I'm from Europe. Most of my tools are German made, but it's very cool to own a US made tool for me. Snap On is next to impossible to get, but I was lucky enough to get someone to ship over an old-ish dual 80 ratchet to me, and it's got a bit of a honorable place on my toolcart

I don't have anything against European, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indian, etc. tools. When I was a young pup, all I could afford was cheap import stuff. Just a personal preference for US. Snap-On is almost in my backyard, and while I would love to stock up on more, I can't justify the price for very occasional use.

Thanks for the feedback tho - definitely gives me something to think about.

 

[Davefr]

I don't have anything against European, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indian, etc. tools. When I was a young pup, all I could afford was cheap import stuff. Just a personal preference for US. Snap-On is almost in my backyard, and while I would love to stock up on more, I can't justify the price for very occasional use.

Thanks for the feedback tho - definitely gives me something to think about.

What I've done over the years is demoted my older tools to our vacation home and then treated myself to new higher end tools for our main home. For example you'll find RP CM, RP SK wrenches/ratchets plus CM sockets and old blue handle CM screwdrivers at the vacation home. (mostly older USA stuff but completely functional). Wright, SO and Full Polish SK is at my main home where they get used more frequently.

Garage sales fill some of the gaps at the vacation home. (and even some HF)

You might consider this approach. Buying new premium USA tools for infrequent vacation home use is poor ROI IMHO.

The hand me down tools at the vacation home have saved my **** on many occasions. (any tool is better than no tool so having a wide selection is much more important than COO IMHO.)

 

[F-22]

I don't have anything against European, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indian, etc. tools. When I was a young pup, all I could afford was cheap import stuff. Just a personal preference for US. Snap-On is almost in my backyard, and while I would love to stock up on more, I can't justify the price for very occasional use.

Thanks for the feedback tho - definitely gives me something to think about.

Yeah tbh if you want the really good European tools (Hazet, Stahlwille, Gedore, PB Swiss, Beta, Knipex, Facom, Wera, Wiha...), you're likely better off getting Snap On over there cause it'll be a similar cost and quality but much worse warranty.


Personally, I just like to have variety Planning on getting something from Koken and Nepros, perhaps also Vessel (Japanese manufacturers of quality tools). I wish US brands were more available here. I might find some Klein Tools stuff, but probably only the things they make in Taiwan (?) get exported here, US made tools stay in US.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Disclaimer: I don't like extraneous duplicates.

Since it is a second homesite, maybe get duplicates of the absolutely needed tools. Then carry a small bag or box of the stuff you don't want to buy yet. When you say "I don't want to drag this around in the small bag," buy it.

You'll end up with what you need and want, without having a set of 11 screwdrivers from which you use 4.

 

[bobg03]

You mentioned a Garage, per GJ etiquette you must buy the biggest snap on box fully stocked that will fit in said garage.

Seriously any cheap basic set would/should work for this task. Unless you're building nuclear weapons or some silly task.