Best Taiwan tools companies
- Thread starter kippieland
- Start date
While I understand people don't want to believe Taiwan can ever produce a good tool,fact of the matter is...they can and they do.I've had great luck with Kt pro,genius,toptul and many others.I have tons of USA built tools as well,some of those don't perform as well.Some perform better such as jh Williams supercombos,which I think are the best U.S wrenches made currently,and I've Worked with most of them over a 30 year span.Im all for buying american,but if they dont offer what i want or need ill look elsewhere.period.
Get off your high horse and see what the world has to offer, use your brain,good tool craftsman aren't limited to the usa.
Germany,UK,Taiwan,Japan all these have fine craftsman...this isn't 1945 anymore.
Wake up.
Get off your high horse and see what the world has to offer, use your brain,good tool craftsman aren't limited to the usa.
Germany,UK,Taiwan,Japan all these have fine craftsman...this isn't 1945 anymore.
Wake up.
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Dave.R
Well-known member
I've always thought Taiwan was good for the Quality to Price. Gearwrench, Kobalt, for example, you can't argue that they are garbage, they may not be snap-on, but they have better warranties and are made for a wider crowd.
Value is a sliding scale.
I have Snap-on, Matco, Gearwrench, Kobalt, Harbor Freight, Craftsman, Tekton, Wright, Triangle, Koken, Proxxon, Titan Tools.
I can tell you that my snap-on long handle dual 80 is the smoothest, but In all honest its over kill for me working on my Project Samurai. I used to really like snap-on but I was burned on there warranty due to no paper work, and a truck guy told me to beat it because I didn't buy it from him. I can take a Kobalt to Lowe's with pipe marks on the handle and they will give me another with a smile.
Nobody minds Foreign cars, computers, tv's, and most clothes. We are a cheap bunch and that's how it works.
Value is a sliding scale.
I have Snap-on, Matco, Gearwrench, Kobalt, Harbor Freight, Craftsman, Tekton, Wright, Triangle, Koken, Proxxon, Titan Tools.
I can tell you that my snap-on long handle dual 80 is the smoothest, but In all honest its over kill for me working on my Project Samurai. I used to really like snap-on but I was burned on there warranty due to no paper work, and a truck guy told me to beat it because I didn't buy it from him. I can take a Kobalt to Lowe's with pipe marks on the handle and they will give me another with a smile.
Nobody minds Foreign cars, computers, tv's, and most clothes. We are a cheap bunch and that's how it works.
where do we get these from?
only available rebadged i think.... as "KS-Tools" for example......
I believe my Truper ratchet (black and orange handle) is made by Newtools. Smooth ratchet with a tiny head.
Edit: My Husky 3/8" locking extensions also looks like they are from Newtools
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Maexle
Well-known member
I totally agree bobcatdan with Ideals move with SK, I own tools from all the top USA tool makers and SK in my opinion is right there with the best, If SK builds a big enough dealer network and gets mobile trucks in the cities like MAC and Snap-on , they are here to stay. Support USA Tools if you can.
raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
I really like the AmPro sockets and ratchets that Advance auto used to sell. They also made Kobalt for a while. The ratchets are very smooth.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Old thread is now alive!
Cope
Well-known member
Made in China, marked China. Made in Taiwan marked Taiwan.
Cope
Well-known member
I have a Kobalt 1/4" and a 3/8" socket set in each of my cars. They are made in Taiwan, and the finish and appearance of the sockets is great. The ratchets have the Snap On look and are smooth. All four sets were close outs for some reason.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Does anybody think that a forging press or automated machine tools know where they are geographically located? The best of these are made in Germany and then shipped anywhere in the world. TOPTUL, KABO, KING TONY and many others make world class product because they are using the same machines as Stahlwillie, Hazet and Gedore. They likely bought them from the same company.
Tempering steel is no longer a trade secret.
I worked in the semiconductor industry my entire career. When the industry first started we made all of our own manufacturing equipment. Everything was proprietary. Once Nikon, Lam Research, Applied Materials and Novellus showed up on the scene semiconductor manufacturing technology was available to anybody who could afford it. Other than Intel manufacturing of the highest technology products know to man, semiconductors, has moved en mass to Taiwan. If these guys can make the chips in your smartphone don't you think they can make a wrench? YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.
Tempering steel is no longer a trade secret.
I worked in the semiconductor industry my entire career. When the industry first started we made all of our own manufacturing equipment. Everything was proprietary. Once Nikon, Lam Research, Applied Materials and Novellus showed up on the scene semiconductor manufacturing technology was available to anybody who could afford it. Other than Intel manufacturing of the highest technology products know to man, semiconductors, has moved en mass to Taiwan. If these guys can make the chips in your smartphone don't you think they can make a wrench? YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.
raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
China is very capable. They are just inconsistent. You can buy a Chinese harbor freight ratchet today and in six months the same model ratchet looks different, and not always better.
SK roundhead ratchets from fifty years ago can be rebuilt with the same kit that fits a brand new one.
Hako86
Well-known member
Kraftwerk. It's a Swiss brand, but most of the tools are made in Taiwan (some are re-branded Gearwrench). Some tools are made in Germany though. For example, the most expensive pliers are re-branded NWS.
Lifetime warranty
Here in the Netherlands it is one of the most used brands in garages, along with Hazet, Gedore, Stahlwille, Facom, Snap On and Beta I think
Lifetime warranty
Here in the Netherlands it is one of the most used brands in garages, along with Hazet, Gedore, Stahlwille, Facom, Snap On and Beta I think
sasquatch12
Well-known member
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China can make GOOD tools, it is the importers here that want them as cheap as possible, hence they then sell cheaper stuff. Be interesting to ask chinese craftsman what they buy for good name brand tools there.
1950mercury
Well-known member
Whats up with single post people bringing up 2.5 year old threads trolls?
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Don't have the weight though...my opinion. I'd never pay the asking price for a truck ratchet, that's just me. I'd buy the higher tier modern non truck brands (armstrong, sk, proto, maybe wright) if the price is right though.
Kobalt ratchets aren't cheap unless they're in a set on clearance. Whether they're worth the asking price or not...well maybe if you don't have a harbor freight in the area.
let's see, I have a question so I use google to search on taiwan/china tools. I get a link to the GJ thread. I read it. I look around the GJ site and think, "Wow, what a cool, knowledgable bunch of guys/gals". I join so I can contribute. The GJ is now 1 person larger.
How's that?
Herod
Banned
Because it's new to THEM. It may be old news to you, but this is the first I've ever seen it. It's new to me. It's interesting. It made me read. It made you read, too. Looks like it's making alot of people read.
Because they get hated on relentlessly when they start a new thread instead
If they start a new thread within 5 posts someone will have posted "search" and provided 5 links to old threads. If they actually god forbid resurrect an old thread you come along and gripe about that, come on guys...Tronyadorable
Banned
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I'll have to ask around. I DO know Fords was the Pinto and Mustang2 of the seventies. Chevy had a real gem called a Vega and the Truly Exceptional American Motors Corp produced the incredible Pacer which; to this very day, nobody has made anything even close !!
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
While the new guy that resurrected this thread didn't stay on topic (Best TaiwanTool Companies), I think resurrecting some of these old threads helps to see the evolution of the industry. Years ago people used to think Craftsman was top notch, but we have all seen (and discussed ad nauseum) what a few years has done to them. At the same time, HF and Tekton have really stepped up their game with Taiwan tools lately. Tawiwan tools have come a long ways recently, so maybe it's not a bad idea to revisit a thread to see who is king of the hill and who has slipped behind.
Rural53
Well-known member
Jonnesway, I have several of their items, allen sockets and today SAE combo set and SAE ratchet combo set. I also have one of their 77 piece tool kits that lives behind the set in my pick up and is my race day tool box.
Genius - 1/2" drive impact sockets.
Genius - 1/2" drive impact sockets.
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BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Welcome to GJ.... Glad to see another vote for SK,,, This post might be a couple years old; but it must have a good battery to restart so well.. Take it for a spin and enjoy the ride.
espyking83
Well-known member
Not everyone on this website can justify/afford to spend money on premium tools to support the USA or their native countries. We're not all mechanics, alot of the posters on this site are DIY'ers and it would be absolutely moronic to spend a significant portion of their income on premium tools they might use for 45 minutes on the weekend.
espyking83
Well-known member
And to answer the TS's question: look at virtually any of the truck companies industrial brands, you'd be surprised at just how much quality you can get at a discount.
Tronyadorable
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Tool companies are like restaurants. Some items on the menu **** and some are fantastic. Gotta "eat" there a few times to sort it all out.
Like travelling. Trip adviser is helpful in finding a hotel and garage journal is helpful in heading toward a commonly popular---or agreeable...decent tool.
No big deal.
It's an opinon collection. Majority may, or may not, rule.
Like travelling. Trip adviser is helpful in finding a hotel and garage journal is helpful in heading toward a commonly popular---or agreeable...decent tool.
No big deal.
It's an opinon collection. Majority may, or may not, rule.
wild cowboy
Banned
I have to laugh when I see some of the guys on here bash Craftsman quality and yet they insist om buying only "quality tools" such as Matco
Matco (Danaher) makes the vast majority of Craftsman's USA tools.
Matco (Danaher) makes the vast majority of Craftsman's USA tools.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Not really a company but, a brand, Napa's Carlyle is Taiwan made and is serving me well. Excellent fit, finish, and feel that doesn't break the bank.
I turn wrenches and manage a fleet for a living. I have a lot of truck brands but, several years ago when I started my current job, I lost contact with most of my tool truck dealers so the online vendors started getting my money.
I don't miss a weekly tool truck payment and am quite happy with the performance of my tools.
I turn wrenches and manage a fleet for a living. I have a lot of truck brands but, several years ago when I started my current job, I lost contact with most of my tool truck dealers so the online vendors started getting my money.
I don't miss a weekly tool truck payment and am quite happy with the performance of my tools.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Carlyle is made by KABO and KABO is a top tier Taiwanese company. They are also the patent holder for the spline drive. They just sued and won again Steelman Pro for using spline drive in their wrenches. KABO invests heavily into R&D and have many innovative tools.
wild cowboy
Banned
I love Carlyle wrenches & ratchets, their 100 tooth roto-head is the best ratchet at any price! - I also like everything I have bought in the Tekton brand!
Not really a company but, a brand, Napa's Carlyle is Taiwan made and is serving me well. Excellent fit, finish, and feel that doesn't break the bank.
I gotta agree, though all I have are a set of 1/4" sockets and some box end wrenches, they are awfully nice.
The sockets also look an awful lot like Gearwrench...
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Is there a best company, or are we really all just saying a particular item is good and made by company x? The best torque wrench isn't made by the same company as the best screwdriver.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I can never figure out who makes what for who in Taiwan.
Sure sunex and grey pneumatic are recognizable brands/companies.
However, Take KABO for example. they make tools for MATCO and Cornwell plus a host of others. They made the old SK G Pro ratcheting wrenches. I would KABO makes some great tools but, they aren't marketed as KABO.
I have to laugh when I see some of the guys on here bash Craftsman quality and yet they insist om buying only "quality tools" such as Matco
Matco (Danaher) makes the vast majority of Craftsman's USA tools.
And GM makes Cadillac, Fiat makes Ferrari..... Snap on makes bluepoint and williams....
Most companies have quality tiers friend.