Blue Point Hand Tools

[chevy302dz]

Here's one I don't think we covered yet, Where are Blue Point's regular hand tools (sockets, regular combo wrenches, etc) made?

 

[kartracer55]

Taiwan. At least the ratchets and sockets in thier sears-type combo sets.

 

[TNToy]

Correct. For a long time, Blue-Point was mostly stuff from Taiwan, and a little of it was re-badged USA-made stuff from other companies. Snap-On was all USA-made stuff.

There are now quite a few foreign-made Snap-On tools, although for the most part it's still USA made. One of the few companies where you actually get to assume it's made here, unless proven different.

Blue-Point tools are a particularly good example that not everything from Asia is a shoddy product, but there's some stuff that certainly is.

 

[kartracer55]

I asked about this and he basically told me that Everything Chrome that is stamped snap on is made in the US by snap on. The Red Snap on Airtools are from Suiox (owned by snap on), and the natural metal ones are made by snap on. He also CLAIMS that anything saying snap on but not made by them has been changed in some way from the typical product sold under the company's name. Aka the hansen sets, but Im still a bit skeptical about that.

He said theres no way to tell where the blue point air tools are truly coming from, but they are usually based off of IR tools.

 

[wilbilt]

Going WAY back, Blue Point was US-made as well.

Snap-On was the socket line, Blue Point was the wrench line. I have a 1 1/4" Blue Point long combo wrench that is forged from the same pattern as the current (as of the 1990's) Snap-On line. I used to have the full set, but...stuff happens...

 

[Junkman]

I have quite a few Blue Point items and all of them are US made. That might be because they are all old items. I also have some Snap-On larger combination wrenches (1 1/2" and up) that have a sand blasted finish that looks like it is silver painted.

 

[milly]

I've got some Blue Point combination wrenchs. I bought them off the truck in 2001. The Snap On dealer told me that they were made on the same line as the Snap On combo wrenchs. He said the only difference was the SO sets were stamped Snp On and got a hand polish. The BP were stamped Blue Point and had the "natural" finish.

Some older Blue Point wrenchs and a Snap On

 

[kartracer55]

I wonder if my dealer could get me a set of those in the larger sizes?

I remeber the other day I was on the truck and he had a set of bluepoint 1/4 and 3/8 sockets/ ratchets similar to a craftsman set on display. I asked about it and he said they are made in taiwan.

Jim

 

[cloper91]

Blue-Point tools are a particularly good example that not everything from Asia is a shoddy product, but there's some stuff that certainly is.

I agree. I have a set of blue point ratcheting combo wrenches. They clearly say Taiwan on them but they are great wrenches. Everytime I need a combo wrench that is what I reach for. I have even but the ratcheting box end part on a fastner and smacked the open end of the wrench with a hammer to break a tight fastner loose and they keep taking the abuse.

I know I am not supposed to be doing that but lets face it this is the real world and it happens. The wrenches keep working great. Not everything from Asia is **** but you do have to be carefull.