Brand quality question

[47newcastle]

So I'm building up my tool collection with some specialty tools and other things and I wanted to know if there is any red flags with these brands or items. A little backround I'm a DIY guy or mostly Do it with beer and friends but I don't like renting tools or borrowing them so thats why I'm buying some.
I'm trying to buy all USA made and thats been easy for hand tools so far, I went with wright tools for most everything.

So far that has been really difficult with specialty tools information wise.
I'm settling for taiwan on these if I cant find usa made. Hands down no CHINA!

Information on the internet is hard to follow because these companys seem to switch hands so often, as it pertains to COO that is.

What I have on my list:

1. Snap ring pliers (KAS3495) Kastar
2. Pulley puller: (5238) Kastar
3. Fan clutch set: (KDS41580) KD or gearwrench now I think
4. Gear puller: The 3 jaw craftsman because its still USA made
5. Slide hammer: (41700D) Gearwrench
6. Compression tester: (KSTU-30A) Kastar
7. Thread restorer kit: Craftsman (USA)
8. Front end kit: (41690) KD tools
9. Tap and die set: Irwin (HAN26376)
10. Harmonic balancer puller: Dont know yet
11. bolt extractor: (53227) Irwin

I belive all the Kastar is USA and KD is taiwan. Not sure on the irwin tap and die but those must be usa for me to buy.

Again just wondering if any of these tools are a NO GO or chinese. Would rather learn from your mistakes than make my own when buying. THANKS

 

[Askme42]

Check out the tool truck equivilant thread. High quality stuff at very reasonable price.

 

[moonley]

Kastar is now under Lang tools and a lot of their items are supposedly no longer made in the USA.

Yes, Irwin tap and die is USA made.

I have the OTC 4531 harmonic balancer puller and installer set, very happy with it. Mine is a few years old, not sure what the COO is now.

Also, posi-lock makes a good 3 jaw puller made in the USA.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[moonley]

supposedly no longer made in the USA

For the record or those who care, I sent an e-mail to Lang customer service asking about the COO for their leakdown, compression, and oil pressure test kits. I got a response back from A&E tools (Lang parent) within about 10 minutes stating "The gauges in all three of those kits are made in China. Pretty much everything else is USA made and assembled."

I also sent a similar e-mail to OTC asking about their kits. I didn't get a response to my first e-mail so submitted another a couple days later and a few hours after that I got a response from Bosch Automotive Aftermarket (OTC parent) simply stating "None of the tools that you are looking at are made in the USA".

Looks like I will probably go with the Lang kits.