To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Confusing Matco Files

T

twincam00

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
1,026
Location
USA
Just got my order from Matco in. I ordered a a 4-piece green file set (CF48SGA) and wasnt expecting it to be USA made. I unrolled the pouch and was glad to see that there was a large and colorful "MADE IN USA" tag sewn on. I took the files out and noticed that the file handles are stamped "Germany." Well thats fine with me, European tools are nice. Then I saw "INDIA" on one of the files. Only one of the files is marked India, the others are unmarked. These are brand new files, they still have oil on them.

I'm not going to return them because it's too much of a hassle and they will still do the job. I paid under $40 with my student discount, I just feel bad for anyone who sees the big "USA" tag and buys them for retail price ($79.60)

What the hell is going on here Matco?

LINK:
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CF48SGA/4-PC-GREEN-FILE-SET/


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • PA011453.jpg
    PA011453.jpg
    71.8 KB · Views: 470
  • PA011454.jpg
    PA011454.jpg
    81 KB · Views: 471
  • PA011456.jpg
    PA011456.jpg
    65.5 KB · Views: 469
  • PA011459.jpg
    PA011459.jpg
    56.9 KB · Views: 469
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
M

marcusicp

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2010
Messages
494
Location
NC
I guess the pouch in made in the USA, the handles are made in Germany, and the files are made in India.
 
OP
T

twincam00

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
1,026
Location
USA
1982fxr said:
I swear I remember a thread exactly like this about 6 months ago...
Click to expand...

I bought a used SK file set that was "USA" but had one India file. 2 usa sets in a row with an effin india file!

The SK set I can justify because its used, file may have been replaced. But this set is brand new
 
OP
T

twincam00

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
1,026
Location
USA
TwoInch said:
we all know india specializes in that particular file design.... them bastards!!!!









:lol_hitti
Click to expand...

ha thats good

GeneralDisorder said:
Why the hell would you buy files from matco or any other tool truck? Files are disposable shop supply.... they are not hand tools, they are "abrasives" and need to be replaced frequently - not as frequently as sand paper but still...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hand-files/=jjqfs5

GD
Click to expand...

$38 bucks for 4 files with handles isnt that bad
 
O

oldtools

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
2,706
Why don't you just file "INDIA" away. Ironic the most important part is made in India, second most important part is molded in Germany (probably 90% come from India), and least important come from USA. I did not know they put COO on every piece part of the tool now including packaging.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
N

Notwerk

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2011
Messages
329
I guess Nicholson are Brazil now (?) And I noticed the Husky sets at HD are Colombia. Can't think of any USA files. I don't generally have a good impression of Indian tools, but India, Brazil and Colombia are all easier on my conscience than China.

Buyer beware, I suppose.
 
S

Skin

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2010
Messages
11,713
Location
Boston
GeneralDisorder said:
Why the hell would you buy files from matco or any other tool truck? Files are disposable shop supply.... they are not hand tools, they are "abrasives" and need to be replaced frequently - not as frequently as sand paper but still...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#hand-files/=jjqfs5

GD
Click to expand...

in a shop? files last years if not decades especially since so much is aluminum now. 99.9% of the time its just for getting rid of light burrs, its not like mechanics are hand sculpting the parts with them.

RCRGarage said:
I don't think most Matco customers care about USA made tools, otherwise they'd buying their tools from elsewhere... right?
Click to expand...

in terms of hard line they do/did pretty well. A lot of USA and Germany in their catalog and they were never afraid to stamp their stuff as such. Not sure how the Apex sale will effect that though.
 
D

darkzero

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
Messages
3,325
Location
SoCal
Monte said:
handles looks like Witte
Click to expand...

Yep they are, Matco has been using them for a while now. But those would be another item made exclusively for Matco since Witte does not offer files.

RedFordTruck said:
Does any company still make files in the USA anymore?
Click to expand...

Grobet USA are nice files & are made in the US. Grobet also has a non USA line that are made in Switzerland or something.

http://www.grobetusa.com/files/index.html

Never used them but Vallorbes & Valtitons are said to be nice files but are not US, Swiss too I think.


Notwerk said:
I guess Nicholson are Brazil now (?)
Click to expand...

I think most are Portugal now? I bought the following Nicholson file from Lowes last year & it's stamped Made In the USA on it.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_96691-273-06601N_4294936478__?productId=3467637&Ntt=file
 
S

strutaeng

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2011
Messages
2,270
Location
Dallas, TX
RedFordTruck said:
Does any company still make files in the USA anymore?
Click to expand...

I'm into woodworking and I have read that Nicholson #49 and 50 were the last US-made wood rasps (now they are made in Brazil and quality is not as good). My source of US-made files is flea markets.

If you are looking for quality, French and Swiss files and rasps are unparalleled in quality (more like gun-smith quality). Of course, the prices reflect this.

For everyday filing and rasping, South American files from Ace, Do-it-Best, etc. will do...
 
G

GeneralDisorder

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 20, 2012
Messages
306
I buy Simonds files by the box. They are imports but I haven't had a problem with them. Files are just a shop supply for the work I do - they get dull and I grab a new one. Not really that complicated or expensive. Kinda like sandpaper - you find a brand that works for you and you restock when you are running low. Typical price is $3 to $10 each for the files I buy. Usually cases of 11 at a time.

GD
 
C

cgv69

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
1,033
Location
Boone Co., KY
marcusicp said:
I guess the pouch in made in the USA, the handles are made in Germany, and the files are made in India.
Click to expand...
Probably and that last part would really bother me because I've never seen anything but junk come from India. IMO, they may even be slightly down the rung from China in the quality dept.?

Sorry but even with the student discount I think you got ripped off.
 
R

RedFordTruck

Well-known member
Joined
May 10, 2012
Messages
921
cgv69 said:
Probably and that last part would really bother me because I've never seen anything but junk come from India. IMO, they may even be slightly down the rung from China in the quality dept.?

Sorry but even with the student discount I think you got ripped off.
Click to expand...

India is definitely close to the bottom rung in terms of tool quality. Why else would HF have their wrenches made in India? :lol:

But the only thing ive seen worse than india made tools would be a mini-plier set made in Pakistan... :monkey_po

darkzero said:
Yep they are, Matco has been using them for a while now. But those would be another item made exclusively for Matco since Witte does not offer files.



Grobet USA are nice files & are made in the US. Grobet also has a non USA line that are made in Switzerland or something.

http://www.grobetusa.com/files/index.html

Never used them but Vallorbes & Valtitons are said to be nice files but are not US, Swiss too I think.




I think most are Portugal now? I bought the following Nicholson file from Lowes last year & it's stamped Made In the USA on it.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_96691-273-06601N_4294936478__?productId=3467637&Ntt=file
Click to expand...


Nicholson are either Mexico or Colombia now.

However I know Cripe has a ton of USA old stock Nicholson for $3-4 each. But when I tried to order from their site it was confusing and my order wouldnt go through. :dunno:

Craftsman files are Honduras I believe. Lowes and HD are ChiCom
 
N

Notwerk

Well-known member
Joined
May 11, 2011
Messages
329
RedFordTruck said:
Craftsman files are Honduras I believe. Lowes and HD are ChiCom
Click to expand...

These things can change pretty quickly but the Husky set I bought at HD a few months ago was definitely Colombia, not ChiCom. The Nicholson sets I saw at HD were Brazil, not Mexico.
 
R

RedFordTruck

Well-known member
Joined
May 10, 2012
Messages
921
Notwerk said:
These things can change pretty quickly but the Husky set I bought at HD a few months ago was definitely Colombia, not ChiCom. The Nicholson sets I saw at HD were Brazil, not Mexico.
Click to expand...

I think you're right. Craftsman Evolv is China and Husky is Colombia.

But which Nicholson were you looking at? The flat bastards with no handle are Mexico.
 
S

srmofo

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
6,161
Location
SW ohio
nicholson files are all over the place now since they shut the USA plants down.

I got several sets a few years back when amazon was clearancing the 10pc sets out for a few bucks. Most of them were USA with a few brazil mixed in.

Ive said it before and Ill say it again. The only common things Im seeing coming out of USA production is plastic stuff
 
B

battlegraduate09

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
562
Location
abingdon va
Same happened to me with snap on key files. handle says usa, files say portugal

Not sure why, but i got a good discount on them and needed them that day, or i probably wouldnt have bought them
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom