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JradM

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I've been compiling a list of Canadian manufacturers and retailers. I'm hoping to organize it into two categories:
  1. Canadian manufacturers
  2. Canadian owned and operated retailers

MANUFACTURERS

I'm not going to discriminate between companies that make EVERYTHING in Canada and those that only make some things, or parts of things. Canadian tool manufacturing exists, but it's not huge. I figure if the company actually engages in some form of Canadian manufacturing - let's not let perfection be the enemy of good.

Gray Tools - hand tools primarily. Mechanics, Plumbing, construction... they have a few USA products (like Ernst storage items) and a Taiwanese line (Dynamic), but still - likely the #1 Canadian Tool Manufacturer.

Lee Valley - Veritas products are MiCan - and EXCELLENT. Lee Valley is also an entirely Canadian owned and operated company. I'm a big fan.

Picquic - screwdriver handles are MiCan, bits are Taiwanese (which are high quality). Might be the best value screwdrivers in any country. Have you tried "The Pic" yet?

Rolgear - "zero degree" "ratcheting" screwdrivers. The scare quotes aren't there because there's anything wrong with the tools, au contraire; it's only because they use a roller clutch mechanism (so no "ratcheting") and zero degrees of rotation would net you... zero degrees of rotation. Very little backdrag.

Megapro - ratcheting screwdriver handles are MiCan, the other products in the lineup aren't.

Retract-a-bit - Multi-bit Screwdrivers with a unique design

Linus Tech Tips - Multi bit ratcheting screwdriver, pens, jackets, and other gear (I think only the screwdriver is MiCan)

Tiger Tool - Driveline, Suspension and automotive tools

Tiger Torch - Propane and Natural Gas Torches

Jess Em Tools - Woodworking tools, router lifts and more.

Innova Tools - Sheet metal and siding bending brakes and accessories.

Garant - It's my understanding the yard care hand tools and shovels are MiCan. They have cordless snow removal tools too - but I highly doubt those are made here.

Impact Poly Hammers - You might be surprised to learn... they make poly hammers.

Richard - Painting tools. A few of them are still Canadian production - though that seems to be waning. Still worthy of support.

Agawa - outdoor saws

Rad Torque - pneumatic and electric torque wrenches.

Akribis Leather - leather goods like tool belts and organizer pouches.

General Technologies Corp. - electronic and automotive testing tools

Alt/Alt Bike Products - specialty Hub & Suspension Bearing Press System for mountain bikes, though it probably works in automotive applications too

Cannon - chainsaw guide bars

Hevvy Pumps - a Canadian slurry pump designer and manufacturer

Infocus Manufacturing - mostly tool storage products - Princess Auto sells a bunch of their stuff. It's all sheet metal-based (tool boxes, paint can organizers, etc). made in Canada.

Stryke Industries - professional grade toolboxes.

Rousseau - Tool Boxes.

Mantis - producer of Tool Grid and other organization products.

Paulin (looks like they may be owned by Hillman Group now though) - makes fasteners in Canada. They may also used to make some screwdriver bits here - but I'm not sure about that now.

DaBoer Tool - cutting tools, like for lathes and CNCs

RoyceAyr - manufacturer of precision cutter heads, saw blades, etc.

Walter Surface Technologies - MiCan abrasives, maybe some of the other products are too like tooling, power tools, industrial tools (I can't tell)

D. Gray Drafting and Design - Plans and kits for home machinists

Oneway - lathes and tooling


GARAGE and TOOL-ADJACENT MiCan MANUFACTURING

Channellock (truck accessories) - the infamous American pliers manufacturer also makes truck racks in Canada

Herd - grills, racks, guards and other truck items

Ali Arc - pickup bumpers

BackRack - pickup racks and other accessories

Upland Manufacturing - truck toolboxes made near Winnipeg Manitoba

Autoline - remanufacturer and distributor of automotive products and premium new products including Carburetors, Injectors, Calipers and more

Richelieu - High end kitchen and cabinet hardware, door and window hardware.

Granby Conforto Furnace - MiCan oil furnaces.

Giant Water Heaters - Made in Quebec

Ouellete - Electric residential baseboard heaters

Napoleon - furnaces, fireplaces and barbecues.

IBC Boilers - boilers

Swift Canoes - MiCan Canoes and Kayaks.

Badger Paddles - premium wooden canoe paddles.

Fancy's Oars and Paddles - premium wooden oars and paddles.

H20 Performance Paddles - fiberglass and carbon kayak, canoe and raft paddles.

MDT Chassis Systems - Precision rifle stocks and chassis systems made in BC

BeautiTone Paint - MiCan interior and exterior paint, available at Home Hardware

Palliser Furniture - MiCan Furniture

Levys Leathers - Guitar straps, mounts and accessories

Canada West Boots - Rugged Work Boots

Royer - Work Boots

Viber - Work boots

Erickson Manufacturing - Tie-downs and load-securing gear

Leaf Racewear - seat belts and clothing

Goodyear Wrangler Tires


Food



RETAILERS (owned and operated)

Large (loose category - basically anything with multiple stores, with a substantial internet retail component or available through multiple sales channels)
  • Lee Valley Tools - appearing above as manufacturer of Veritas Tools, they're also retailer of various unique and generally high-quality tools (with an emphasis on woodworking items and unique hardware). Their Utilitas line is typically made overseas to LV design specs.
  • Princess Auto - don't pretend you need a description.
  • Canadian Tire - automotive, hardware, sports, leisure, and houseware... and TOOLS.
  • KMS Tools - full service tool store, welding, cordless, hand, fasteners, safety gear, etc.
  • Mississauga Hardware - hand tools, power tools, construction tools, etc.
  • IHL Canada - construction tools seem like their specialty, but also a selection of hand and power tools
  • Atlas Machinery - hand tools, power tools, construction tools, etc.
  • BC Fasteners - hand tools, power tools, construction tools, etc.
  • Construction Fasteners - fasteners obviously, but also hand tools, power tools, construction tools, etc.
  • Busy Bee Tools - metalworking and woodworking tools
  • JC Cayer - hand tools, power tools, construction tools, etc.
  • MPR Tools - industrial tool supplier and retailer
  • Federated Tool Supply - Industrial tool supplier and retailer
  • Skookum - far from all-Canadian tools, but they DO have Canadian made items - mostly consumables.
  • Genius Tools - Taiwanese tools, Canadian Company.
  • Olsa Tools - Canadian-based with a mix of mechanics tools from Taiwan, Germany, and the United States
  • Gregg Distributors - A Canadian-based Industrial Supplier with an exhaustive catalogue
  • Oh Canada Supply - A Canadian-based Industrial Supplier and retailer. Lots of cordless and hand tools.
  • Tenaquip - A Canadian-based Industrial Supplier and retailer.
  • Wiseline Tools - hand tools, power tools, construction tools, etc. Often very good Dewalt pricing.
  • Canuck Tools - hand tools, power tools, construction tools, abrasives, consumables, etc.
  • Marson Equipment - hand tools, power tools, machinery, consumables.
  • Robertson Screw - the superior and industry-changing square head screw
  • Task Tools - big variety of hand tools, manufactured in many different countries. Saws, axes, support poles, pliers, etc.
  • Wurth - wide variety of hand, power, pneumatic and even cordless tools - plus and exhaustive list of consumables. They even created a list of MiCan products. They rebrand premium tools from Knipex and Felo too.
  • Wrench Monkey - auto parts, great pricing.
  • Parts Avatar - auto parts, some tools too.
  • ITM - instrumentation, including from Fluke, Mitutoyo & Starrett
  • Home Hardware - building supplies, tools, broad-based retailer.
  • Canadian Equipment Outfitters - outdoor power and construction equipment
  • Chery Mart - garage and shop cabinets, outdoor storage structures, fences, gates...
Niche
  • Cardon Tools - machinist and metalworking tools - chucks, calipers, cutters, drills, punches, taps, files, etc. - but my favorite part is the surplus/NOS stuff. There are some real gems in there! The owner visited the "Canada Only Deals!" thread awhile back and left this coupon code: GARAGEJOURNAL20
  • IR Tools Canada - Ingersol Rand tools are MiUSA and China, but this is a Canadian retailer for them. Doesn't belong? let me know.
  • CanPro Tool - Automotive and Construction tools (don't confuse them with the Chinese-owned power tool company of a very similar name)
  • Tommyco Knee pads - used to be MiCan, but are Chinese manufactured now. Still, a Canadian-based company
  • TechPro Tools - Mechanics and Automotive tools, based in Ontario.
  • Millbank Hardware - construction and industrial retail supply store located in Millbank, Ontario
  • Hayley Cabinets - premium garage cabinets
  • Gallant Manufacturing - belt sanders, grinders, buffers, polishers
  • My Tool Shop - Calgary-based Toptul retailer
  • Bissett Fasteners - Canadian-based company for nails and nailers
  • Welders Helper - Canadian-owned and operated welding supplier
  • Canada Welding Supply - seems self-descriptive
  • Arc Depot - A Canadian welding supplier
  • Iberville Electrical Supplies - self-explanatory

Let me know if you have more to add! I know there are plenty, I'll add them as they come to me - but this is my working list.

Suggestions? Maybe different formatting or an additional category?
 
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u2slow

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I am a very price-centric shopper, so the old (on hand) stock and clearance items tend to be the cheapest - regardless of its country of origin.
 
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RTM

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Lee Valley should really be on there both as a manufacturer and a retailer. And just a side note their Utilitas line is not made in Canada but made typically overseas to LV design specs. Stuff that does not wear the Utilitas or Veritas name could be anything from General or any other mfgr.
 
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J

JradM

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RTM said:
Lee Valley should really be on there both as a manufacturer and a retailer. And just a side note their Utilitas line is not made in Canada but made typically overseas to LV design specs. Stuff that does not wear the Utilitas or Veritas name could be anything from General or any other mfgr.
Click to expand...
Added! Lee Valley is one of my favorite stores. They've got a low free-shipping threshold and when they sell something it's like an endorsement that it's not junk.
 
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lardy1

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I've not retained much of the info but I remember a few years ago researching cyclone dust collectors and the company that was impressing me the most was Canadian. I've tried to recall it but just can't. Maybe some of the woodworking folks that don't share my Oldtimers disease can chime in on that.
 
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J

JradM

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purplezr2 said:
Onway MFG is Canadian I believe.

I bought their multi gauge for setting up my planer and jointer.

I purchased it from Marson equipment who I believe is Canadian as well?
Click to expand...
Added!

This is a WAY bigger list than I expected. I learned some new names - and that some were Canadian that I didn't realize.
 
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Firebrick43

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purplezr2 said:
Onway MFG is Canadian I believe.

I bought their multi gauge for setting up my planer and jointer.

I purchased it from Marson equipment who I believe is Canadian as well?
Click to expand...
They make very nice jointer gauges!

Jessem probably the nicest dowel jigs on the market. They also make very nice router table lifts, table saw guide rollers with one way bearings, miter gauges, squares and rules, and an alternative to the festool domino
 
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V

vssjim

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I have a few Gray Tools but after the family sold I wasn't sure how much was still made in Canada the ones I have say made in Canada stamped in them.
 
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rancherbill

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rharman

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I've purchased from JessEm and Lee Valley. Very happy with the experience and products.
 
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purplezr2

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Firebrick43 said:
They make very nice jointer gauges!

Jessem probably the nicest dowel jigs on the market. They also make very nice router table lifts, table saw guide rollers with one way bearings, miter gauges, squares and rules, and an alternative to the festool domino
Click to expand...

I forgot about Jess em, I have a few of their tools as well.
 
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J

JradM

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Aaron_W said:
Kind of niche but

D. Gray Drafting and Design Plans and kits for home machinists
Click to expand...
rancherbill said:
High end kitchen and cabinet hardware, door and window hardware.

https://www.richelieu.com/ca/en/
Click to expand...
Both added. Thanks!

I think niche tools are entirely appropriate for this sort of thread. Sometimes you need a thing and don't know where to find it. It's good to have all the options.
RTM said:
Maybe once the chaos of new names slows down, alphabetize and categorize by type of tool, woodworking, mechanics, machinist, paint, supplies etc
Click to expand...
Good idea! I didn't expect the list to get quite so long and there's definitely a few retailers who could be grouped together for relevance.
 
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mreisner

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Princess Auto has been fantastic as it's almost impossible to get British pipe thread stuff here in the states and I have a sprayer made in Canada that the only way to get the fittings is through their authorized dealer channels which are really expensive. 45 minutes and a quick trip across the bridge and Princess Auto has saved my fannymany times and lots of money
 
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