Blue Point and Silver Eagle

[gdocktor3]

First of all, I just notice they both have colors in their names. Does Mac have a second tier tool group? Are Blue Point and Silver Eagle made in the states?

I have never used a single Blue Point or Silver Eagle tool. I've read mixed reviews on them. Some people compare them to Craftsman. As far as I'm concerned, if its older USA Craftsman then they should be decent tools. I've had few issues with USA Craftsman and never an issue with sockets or extensions. I've been looking into Williams, Wright, and maybe these two. I don't use tools everyday, but when I do need them I want to know they are going to have a good bite and last a lifetime.

What are your thoughts on Armstrong tools now? Are they Craftsman with USA stamp?
Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

[WhiffySpark]

China

I have plenty of blue point with no issue

Silver eagle is off shore as well
But who cares in the grand scheme of things. Buy what you like

 

[zcbauer89]

Mac has the Expert line, which is their equivalent to Blue Point or Silver Eagle.

 

[geartow]

My mac " expert" 1/2 drive breaker bar has held up to a true 5 ft pipe init to get an axle nut loose. I use a blue point socket set for my car box. And bought a blue point socket set for a graduation gift for high school kid that said he now needs to be a man and get some tools.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Blue Point is mostly re-branded tools from other manufacturers. Their hardline tools like sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers and more are available as Williams Taiwan. I have some Williams Taiwan (Williams USA doesn't offer 3/8" drive 12pt deep Metric sockets) and some Blue Point to fill in missing sockets. Both are VERY good quality (not just for imports).

Silver Eagle is re-branded import Apex and Danaher products. I've used some decent stuff, but the quality is below the price point. Member "scrappy610" put up a picture not long ago of a double stamped Silver Eagle / Husky socket that was in his Silver Eagle set, so you get the idea what they are the equivalent to...

Williams USA (Part numbers will begin with letters, Taiwan is all numbers), Wright & SK are all excellent American brands. Check out Epstein's Day next Saturday if you end up looking into Wright or SK.

Armstrong has always been solidly built, and I believe they kept the quality that the USA Craftsman stuff was lacking in the end. Armstrong was also sold for years as Kobalt USA, KD, Allen, etc. All of those Armstrong re-brands can be had for cheap through Cripe Distributing.

Plenty of crossover info here, so you can see where a lot of tools originated from:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

 

[DodgeMech]

blue point is snap on's second line/obscure tool brand...they rebrand stuff like wire strippers, impact guns, crimpers, inner tie rod tools, etc...the rebrands are normally actually made by say OTC, IR, and those, so they are quality...you just may pay a bit more, to have them delivered to the shop

 

[Fedwrench]

Historically, Blue Point was the brand Snap on attached to specialty tools and other items that they did not manufacture themselves.
Recently, as truck prices rose out of reach of entry level and other techs, the Blue Point name was attached to a more economically priced (for a tool truck)imported hand tools. I would say that the Williams sourced stuff is pretty good although still pricey. MAC's Expert line seems to have some decent items. Matco's silver eagle is probably not as nice as the other brands but, is comes mostly from Apex but, seems to be lesser quality than Gearwrench tools. Matco's ADV series of impact sockets are pretty good though but, even a tool truck's economic line isn't cheap.
There are few Armstrong items that I am fond of. Their MAXX ratchets and locking extension(chrome & Impact) are tops compared to anyone else's. However, the rest of their stuff is unimpressive to me. Their chrome sockets have the same funky double detent ball cut outs on the square drive end as craftsman did. I'm seeing what used to be KD branded 36 tooth ratchets with knurled handles labeled Armstrong at higher prices.
By the way Cornwell also has a budget line called 'Blue Power". It consists mostly of chrome and impact sockets.
I think if you're looking at a truck brands budget line, you would be better served by buying SK or Gearwrench online at cheaper prices but, that's just me

 

[plinker]

FWIW, the ADV line from Matco was Sunex oem, Last I was aware.

+1, what Fedwrench said.

 

[DodgeMech]

well, fwiw, if you get a grey pneumatic socket warrantied by Matco, he'll come back in a week or two with a ADV socket that literally looks the same

 

[gdocktor3]

Did I read right? Gearwrench tools are better then the Matco Silver Eagle?

What is Epsteins Day?

 

[skylinegtr20]

Did I read right? Gearwrench tools are better then the Matco Silver Eagle?

Gearwrench and Matco are both owned by Apex Tool Group, chances are the Silver Eagle is the exact same socket or very similar to the gearwrench

 

[RedneckWelder]

Snap On- Blue Point
Mac- Expert
Matco- Silver Eagle
Cornwell- Blue Power

Some of it's decent quality, some of it ain't. Some of it is priced OK, some of it ain't. Personally if I'm buying tools off the tool truck I tend to stick to the truck brand itself, but I do have some Cornwell Blue Power impact sockets (look to be relabled Sunex) that are most excellent and I got them for a pretty fair price in a package deal with the sockets and impact gun.

 

[Fedwrench]

Did I read right? Gearwrench tools are better then the Matco Silver Eagle?

Yes, that is my opinion. Gearwrench fit, feel, finish, is much better than MATCO's silver eagle.

Gearwrench and Matco are both owned by Apex Tool Group, chances are the Silver Eagle is the exact same socket or very similar to the gearwrench

NO. Place a Gearwrench Metric socket next to a silver eagle socket and the only thing they have in common is they're both chrome. Gearwrench is finished much nicer, has deep knurling at the base of the socket on metric sizes, and has a much wider range of sizes. Apples and oranges.

 

[Finky198]

Alot of blue point is high quality Taiwan Especially there wrenches and sockets
I own a few items and have been very happy with their quality some better than others
The Blue point reversible flex head ratcheting wrenches are a great example of high quality

 

[gdocktor3]

So are any of the second tier tools made in usa? Are the Cornwell blue power or the Mac Stanley usa? For me, I like tools that look good, work good, and last a long time. With that said, for the amount I use them, I can't justify buying expensive snap on tools. So if rather but wright or Williams, maybe gearwrench. To be honest, I'm not impressed with the gearwrench ratchet wrenches I have.

 

[Fedwrench]

So are any of the second tier tools made in usa? Are the Cornwell blue power or the Mac Stanley usa? For me, I like tools that look good, work good, and last a long time. With that said, for the amount I use them, I can't justify buying expensive snap on tools. So if rather but wright or Williams, maybe gearwrench. To be honest, I'm not impressed with the gearwrench ratchet wrenches I have.

Sorry, Silver Eagle, Blue Point (hand tools), Mac Expert, Blue Power are all imported. Some Taiwan, Some China, Peoples Republic of.

Where did you get your unimpressive Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches? Sears?

There's nothing wrong with non truck brand tools like SK, Proto, Wright, etc. but, you need to shop around as sometimes the non truck brands can be just as expensive. To me Gearwrench and NAPA's Carlyle(when on sale) will also serve you well even if they're not made here at a fraction of truck brand prices. Buy what you like and feels good in your hand. It's your choice. .

 

[stihlntime]

I'm like a previous poster if I buy off a truck it is the premier brand not the secondary. I'll buy by Gearwrench, Kobalt,Husky if I need it quick. I have a ton of old SK and they have been great.Pliers,screwdrivers or t handles I order Wiha Wera Felo Knipex or NWS off the net can't beat the german quality and price is usually well below truck prices. Lot of great information on here were to get USA made tools at great prices.

 

[covert]

First of all, I just notice they both have colors in their names. Does Mac have a second tier tool group? Are Blue Point and Silver Eagle made in the states?

I have never used a single Blue Point or Silver Eagle tool. I've read mixed reviews on them. Some people compare them to Craftsman. As far as I'm concerned, if its older USA Craftsman then they should be decent tools. I've had few issues with USA Craftsman and never an issue with sockets or extensions. I've been looking into Williams, Wright, and maybe these two. I don't use tools everyday, but when I do need them I want to know they are going to have a good bite and last a lifetime.

What are your thoughts on Armstrong tools now? Are they Craftsman with USA stamp?
Let me know what you think. Thanks

I have some vintage Blue Point wrenches and a channel-lock style wrench and all are made in Canada (look to be about the quality of vintage Gray, which is top-shelf, in my opinion). Gray seems to have made a number of tools for Snap-On and Blue Point, as well as the house brand at a local store (Mastercraft brand at Canadian Tire). These tools are mid-1950s from look/feel/stamps. They've held up as well as any Snap-On and Craftsman stuff I have from the same time period.

Can't help with newer stuff, I'm afraid. Hope this helps.

Ryan

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Did I read right? Gearwrench tools are better then the Matco Silver Eagle?

Of the Taiwan made Gearwrench stuff I have, I'd have to agree. The sockets are extremely nice.

What is Epsteins Day?

http://store.harryepstein.com/
They are going through a site update over the weekend, or it would have been today. Just a lot of members of the GJ supporting an American tool supplier buying American tools on July 11th, with some bonus items thrown in.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293296

 

[gdocktor3]

I bought a set of gearwrench reversible from sears, and two sets of flex head from advanced auto. They are all made in China. I contacted Gearwrench about their tools and they are all made in China now. I feel the gearwrench chrome is flimsy, if that makes sense. Cheap. I can honestly say I have a 10 year old set of Husky ratchet wrenches that I feel are better made. Chrome looks nice and the ratchet system is nice and tight sounding. My Gearwrench are shiny like tinsel

 

[Tim37]

Just a fyi if any of y'all want to look at the Mac expert line got to the proto web site.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Historically, Blue Point was the brand Snap on attached to specialty tools and other items that they did not manufacture themselves.

Actually this is not true. In the past (way back past) Blue Point was a cheaper (dollars) line of SO hard tools that many times were the same wrenches or sockets, with less finishing and a dull chrome finish. This is as recent as about 25 years ago or a little less. Indeed, many Blue Point items were rebranded odd specialty tools, but SO did make a line of Blue Point hard tools.

Charles

 

[bobbycos]

I have the ADV from Matco impact sockets in 1/4 and 3/8 Drive and they work fine for how I use them and price was decent

 

[franzdom]

Some of the current Blue Point rebranded tools are actually made in the USA. Magnets (Ullman), ratchet wrenches, bit ratchets, etc.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I don't rely on truck service, so I have zero reason to buy rebranded tools.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I bought a set of gearwrench reversible from sears, and two sets of flex head from advanced auto. They are all made in China. I contacted Gearwrench about their tools and they are all made in China now.

Gearwrench still has some hardline Taiwan tools and re-branded Armstrong stuff (made in the USA). The Chinese wrenches and gimmick tools are sold by the big chains (the two you listed especially). There is a world of difference in the quality of the Taiwan stuff and Chinese stuff.

 

[Nik_95Cobra]

I won this along with a bunch of other BP stuff in one of the free truck raffles I've won, and they seem ok. I can't remember if the sockets have an inner lip like the s/o's but they seem a lot nicer appearance wise than U.S. Craftsman and the likes.

 

[geartow]

That is the set I carry in the car, was bought used as a repo from the local snappy truck. Has done all that I have asked of it.

 

[Nik_95Cobra]

Same thing I use mine for when I go out of town.

 

[Fedwrench]

Actually this is not true. In the past (way back past) Blue Point was a cheaper (dollars) line of SO hard tools that many times were the same wrenches or sockets, with less finishing and a dull chrome finish. This is as recent as about 25 years ago or a little less. Indeed, many Blue Point items were rebranded odd specialty tools, but SO did make a line of Blue Point hard tools.

Charles

That was a long time ago and you're not going to find those old blue point tools available as new on a Snap on truck or website today.

 

[gdocktor3]

Gearwrench still has some hardline Taiwan tools and re-branded Armstrong stuff (made in the USA). The Chinese wrenches and gimmick tools are sold by the big chains (the two you listed especially). There is a world of difference in the quality of the Taiwan stuff and Chinese stuff.

Gearwrench has tools laying around from years ago. That is why you can walk into certain stores at certain times and find KD branded Gearwrench. Rare yes. The set I bought from Sears about a month ago, which I returned, had the cap stop feature which I thought was stupid. But when I contacted Apex they were able to tell me they had not produced the cap stop since 2007. That's nearly 10 years ago. Plus they were made in China. And I bought them new a month ago. To say the older stuff was made in Taiwan and now China isn't always true, unless you're talking 20 years ago. Then maybe. Though there may be a difference in quality, it was all luck of the draw as to which plant received which job. That was direct from an Apex rep. Who also said there is no difference in quality. Not to mention I checked Napa, Amazon, a few others and I could not find a single set produced in Taiwan. I would have bought it otherwise.

 

[gdocktor3]

Anyone use Sunex chrome socket set before? I have impact socket sets that are awesome. So awesome that the place I bought them from stopped carrying SK impact sockets because Sunex were better. I was just curious about their chrome sets, I'm also curious about Armstrong socket sets. I have old Armstrong sockets and ratchets that are in the same league as SK and what not, but now they are Danaher I don't know what to think.

Also what are your thoughts on USA made KD sockets?
All my questions and concerns are on the quality of the sockets themselves, not the ratchets. I have a lot of SK, Snap On, Armstrong ratchets, I'm now looking for a complete set of SAE and MM sockets to go along with them. I would like to find a complete set in a box or case. I hate having to pull out a bunch of different socket racks. Then if they aren't a matching set or the perfect size, they fall off the clips. The best deal I've found so far is a 47 piece 3/8 drive SK set for $150.

 

[Fedwrench]

Also what are your thoughts on USA made KD sockets?

Simple no frills tools that will get the job done. Made mostly in Gastonia, NC before the plant shut down. Basically the same aside from the name and etching as 1980s vintage Craftsman, Easco, Allen or NAPA. Supply is drying up as the factory has been closed for more than a few years now.

It's hard to find a better master set in 1/4 and 3/9 than the SK sets in the green blow molded cases. You might be able to find the sets cheaper if you shop around online.

The only other master set that's as complete at less than half the price would be Gearwrench's sets but, they're not US made. Great tools for the money but, not US made.

 

[devoncoolman]

I would not recommend the silver eagle and blue point tools to really anybody in my opinion because there all just relabled overseas stuff. You can buy the same/similar stuff at home depot for a fraction of the price. The silver eagle tools are unimpressive to me. The blue point is pretty nice but not worth to cost.

I would recommend sk.

 

[geartow]

I think for my dinero, the gearwrench sets are the best value. Looking at the part number on these specials makes me wonder.
[http://www.lakesidetool.com/specials/. Look at the promocode 3/4 the way down

 

[espyking83]

Anyone who says Blue Point is of the same comparable quality of Craftsman has never used a Blue Point tool. Blue point makes great tools, even if the COO is Taiwan. I have several vintage BP tools as well as a lot of their newer stuff, they all perform well in a professional environment. My latest is the BP 1/4" air drill, which is made in Japan. Absolutely love it.

 

[redbarron57]

The ONLY benefit of these brands is that you can warranty them on the job site. Quality wise in MY OPINION they are on par with most other import tools. Some a little better some a little worse. You can buy SK, proto, wright or Armstrong for about the same price and they are made in the USA. Personally I went with SK and I don't regret that choice one bit.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I'm a fan of the Expert line of stuff, especially impact stuff...very competitive pricing...my price is usually the same or LESS off the truck vs Amazon. Great Quality, Great Pricing.

I know my MAC guy moves a lot of Expert stuff. My take on the Expert stuff is its all very high quality, mostly all from Taiwan, I really don't care WHO Makes it, but I suspect its "rebranded" from another division under the Stanley/Black&Decker umbrella.

Same would go for the few BluePoint items I have...got a couple chrome sockets which are BP...very nice stuff. Quite honestly, I know a lot of guys will spend 10 bucks of gas to save 2 bucks on a tool (Figure of speech)...but when I'm in the market for something I don't have the appetite to spend big bucks on, I just assume go BluePoint/Expert before buying anything else.

 

[gdocktor3]

I found a 47 piece SK socket set #94547 for $150 and a 49 piece Blue Point set #BLPGSS3849 for $140. I have never used a Blue Point tool and haven't touched an SK newer than 1980. Same went for Snap On until I recently sent a few items in for warranty replacement. When I got them back, I thought the chrome was cheap looking compared to the old stuff. Is that how it is now? I don't want the SK to be the same way. The only reason I would opt for the BP is the warranty replacement is so easy compared to SK in my experiences. I don't care about the ratchets. Just the durability and quality of the sockets themselves. I'm still leaning towards the SK, just wanted to put it out there and see what you guys say.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I found a 47 piece SK socket set #94547 for $150 and a 49 piece Blue Point set #BLPGSS3849 for $140.

IMHO, if it were me its a no brainer, case closed...Id be posting pictures of my new Blue Point set..

**Edit...before pulling the trigger on the BP set, I'd see what my MAC guy could do for me on the Expert E031812 set

Same went for Snap On until I recently sent a few items in for warranty replacement. When I got them back, I thought the chrome was cheap looking compared to the old stuff.

I've got some Old SO Chrome from my dad and some new off the truck stuff..my personal thought was pretty much the exact opposite, I've always FELT that the SO finish has been the most consistent... I've got a 1980/early 90's era 1" combo wrench in line with my 2013 Combo wrenches, I cant tell the difference.