decent tools made in USA

[BTL-A4]

Now that Craftsman is no longer made in the USA, where can I find decent, affordable, made-in-the-USA tools? I can't afford the truck tools. $25 for a Snap-On screwdriver is a bit too much for a hobbyist like myself. I want to support American jobs and industry. Any suggestions?

What about power tools? Are any of those made in the US?

EDIT: Here's a list culled from the posts below:
USA TOOL COMPANIES
Apex (screwdriver bits)
Arrow (staple guns)
Associated battery chargers
Blue Point and KD/GearWrench (feeler gauges)
Bondhus (hex keys and torx keys)
CDI torque wrenches
Channellock
Cle-Line (drill bits)
Dasco punches and chisels
Empire (levels, squares)
Enderes punches, chisels, screwdrivers
Estwing (hammers)
Fluke (electrical test instruments)
Goldenrod (oilers)
Hanson (taps and dies)
Hout (drill bit indexes)
Ideal (electricians tools)
Imperial (HVAC tools and pliers)
JH Williams: has two lines, USA & import, so you have to watch what you buy, it usually says the COO
Ken-tools...tire irons and tools
Klein (electrician and construction tools) watch the packaging as some has move offshore
Lang (snap ring pliers and thread chasers)
Lennox (hole saws, hacksaw, reciprocating blades)
Lisle (filter wrenches)
Maglite (flashlights)
Marshalltown (cement/drywall finishing tools)
Mayhew (punches, chisels, hose clamp pliers)
Milbar (pliers)
Milton (tire gauges, air fittings))
Milwaukee (sawzall blades)
Morse Marxman (taps, dies, and drills)
Norseman drill bits
OTC (jimmy bars, some pullers are USA)
Pratt-Read (screwdrivers)
Precision Instruments...torque wrenches
Proto
Rigid...pipe wrenches
S*K
Schley (automotive specialty)
Simonds (hand files)
Sioux (air tools)
Snap-on
Stanley (tape measures, utility knifes, hand saws)
Stant (cooling system testers)
Starrett (measuring instruments)
Swanson (squares)
Tekton for screwdrivers, slip joint pliers, groove joint pliers, and some pry bars (made by Wilde)
Trusty Cook (hammers)
Union Butterfield (taps, dies, and drills)
Vaughn (hammers)
Weller (soldering irons)
Western Forge lots of screwdrivers.
Wilde (pliers, pry bars, punches, chisels)
Wilton (clamps and vises)
Wiss (tin snips)
Wright
Zephr (screwdriver bits)

Council tool outdoor tools, shovels rakes, hoes etc.
Rogue Hoe

NO LONGER IN BUSINESS/BUY USED
New Britain (which made Husky among others)
Bonney
Easco

WEBSITES
Harry J Epstein: www.harryepstein.com
Bowers Tools: bowerstool.com
cripedistributing.com
wintersdrillbitcity.com Drill bits (might need to find more reviews)

 

[plinker]

S-K, Wright & Proto. Williams has two lines, USA & import, so you have to watch what you buy, it usually says the COO however.

Most of these are not at the Craftsman price point, a bit higher. Gearwrench pretty much covers what Craftsman was as far as price point.

Channellock, Western forge, Wilde, Trusty cook & Klein also make tools here. Others I dont remember off hand, I'm sure.

 

[visionguru]

Now that Craftsman is no longer made in the USA, where can I find decent, affordable, made-in-the-USA tools? I can't afford the truck tools. $25 for a Snap-On screwdriver is a bit too much for a hobbyist like myself. I want to support American jobs and industry. Any suggestions?

What about power tools? Are any of those made in the US?

Tools are cheap. Start with other things, such as cars, home building materials, appliances, TVs, cell phones, computers, cameras, ..... Then donating the left over money to American workers.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Now that Craftsman is no longer made in the USA, where can I find decent, affordable, made-in-the-USA tools? I can't afford the truck tools. $25 for a Snap-On screwdriver is a bit too much for a hobbyist like myself. I want to support American jobs and industry. Any suggestions?

What about power tools? Are any of those made in the US?

Another person who doesn't like ******* in his drinking water by buying Chinese made! Hats off to you! I too think like this. SK is made in America, and quite often, in the absence of an American made equivalent, I'll buy a used American made tool off of craigslist or ebay. There are lots of great deals if you are diligent.

 

[Parrothead]

It’s not going to be one brand like Craftsman, at least for now. Stanley might change that when they roll out their version of Craftsman.

Tekton for screwdrivers, slip joint pliers, groove joint pliers, and some pry bars (made by Wilde)
Channellock for most other pliers, or Klein but watch the packaging as some has move offshore.
Estwing and Trusty Cook for hammers

You can go with SK, Wright and Williams for socket, ratchets and combo wrenches, but they’re double C-man prices.

 

[Flinter987]

Vaughn has some nice USA made hammers

 

[PhysicsDude]

Channellock is probably the closest thing to craftsman as far as US made at a decent price. I personally think their quality has slipped in the past 10 years or so, but all or most of their pliers are still US made to my knowledge, and more than durable enough for home use.

Klein is probably one of the only US made screwdrivers available at Home Depot. Good quality and their prices have been pretty competitive compared to their competition.

SK is a good US-made alternative to Snap-on. Good quality at like 1/2 to 1/3rd the price, but still quite a bit more expensive than Craftsman.

Most consumer grade power tools are not made in the US, however many of the professional grade ones are. Pretty much the upper 1/3rd of power tools are mostly US (or german) made. But, they're obviously 2-3 times the price of the standard consumer grade tools. For instance I have 2 Makita grinders. One is the basic 4" $45 grinder, China made. I also have their 6" 12A variable speed grinder, and its US made, but it costs $150.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I started redoing my box over the winter. I've bought some SK stuff. Wrenches, screwdrivers and sockets so far. Shop around, there are some deals out there.

 

[Parrothead]

Channellock is probably the closest thing to craftsman as far as US made at a decent price. I personally think their quality has slipped in the past 10 years or so, but all or most of their pliers are still US made to my knowledge, and more than durable enough for home use.

I’d tend to agree, their quality has slipped over the last decade or so. I prefer Wilde/Tekton USA when compared to Channellock if they make a comparable option.

Klein is probably one of the only US made screwdrivers available at Home Depot. Good quality and their prices have been pretty competitive compared to their competition.

Actually the red and blue Husky screwdrivers are USA made if you look. They did have a similar import set over thanksgiving but everything I’ve seen since has been USA.

SK is a good US-made alternative to Snap-on. Good quality at like 1/2 to 1/3rd the price, but still quite a bit more expensive than Craftsman.

Most consumer grade power tools are not made in the US, however many of the professional grade ones are. Pretty much the upper 1/3rd of power tools are mostly US made. But, they're obviously 2-3 times the price of the standard consumer grade tools. For instance I have 2 Makita grinders. One is the basic 4" $45 grinder, China made. I also have their 6" 12A variable speed grinder, and its US made, but it costs $150.

 

[DadsTools]

Many good suggestions. However, don't forget the poor neglected Proto stepchild named Blackhawk. While some of these tools drifted to overseas makers at one time, it's my understanding that most all the Blackhawk hard line tools today are being made in USA.

The only direct experience had with them was getting a pre-Stanley Blackhawk ratchet warrantied. Had to mail it in asking for it to be repaired. Instead, in a few weeks received a brand new USA Blackhawk. Fine ratchet, but I must admit it was a little diminutive compared with the old one, probably had 30-40% less steel than the old one, but perhaps that's the trade-off for the price point on a USA tool. Folks who own the USA Blackhawk seem to be satisfied and consider them a step up from the old USA Craftsman.

 

[Wamsutta]

S*K
Wright
Proto
JH Williams
Apex (screwdriver bits)
Zephr (screwdriver bits)
Channellock
Wilde (pliers, pry bars, punches, chisels)
Fluke (electrical test instruments)
Hanson (taps and dies)
Imperial (HVAC tools and pliers)
Milbar (pliers)
Klein (electrician and construction tools)
Lang (snap ring pliers and thread chasers)
Morse Marxman (taps, dies, and drills)
Union Butterfield(taps, dies, and drills)
Pratt-Read (screwdrivers)
Schley (automotive specialty)
Sioux (air tools)
Wilton (clamps and vises)
Weller (soldering irons)
Starrett (measuring instruments)
Bondhus (hex keys and torx keys)
Ideal (electricians tools)
Mayhew (punches, chisels, hose clamp pliers)
Simonds (hand files)

 

[eyeball]

Tools are cheap. Start with other things, such as cars, home building materials, appliances, TVs, cell phones, computers, cameras, ..... Then donating the left over money to American workers.

While I see your point about higher ticket items,I applaud the OPs desire to help his brother in any fashion he chooses.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[WittHay]

Eklind (hex keys)
Blue Point and KD/GearWrench (feeler gauges)
Wiss (tin snips)
Estwing (hammers)
OTC (jimmy bars, some pullers are USA)
Lisle (filter wrenches)
Milton (tire guages, air fittings))

 

[mmason7764]

This is a topic dear to my heart. There are good domestic options, but they take a little more effort to find. Here are a couple of online vendors who try to specialize in US made tools:

Harry J Epstein: https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=385

Bowers Tools: https://bowerstool.com

They both have a good selection and you can learn a lot just browsing.

Zoro is pretty upfront about COO and they carry Proto.

Klein is available at every electrical supply house I've ever been in.

If you find yourself in a home improvement store, there are a few Stanley and Dewalt tools now being made in USA.

I've bought from all these sources and had good experiences.

What are the next tools you need to purchase?

Mark

 

[thallmark]

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

 

[Musicinabottle]

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

And how do you figure that, I'm wondering?

 

[californiaHank]

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

When I buy an American product, some of the money goes to American designers, engineers, and manufacturing workers. They take that money and put it back in the American economy by buying (mostly) goods and services from other Americans. If I buy from HF, that money goes to China and it (mostly) ain't coming back.

 

[DadsTools]

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

I wrote a lengthy dissertation in another recent thread on this subject because the underlying principle is little understood, even by those who support US manufacturing. Let me try to abbreviate:

It's about creating wealth. Wealth is created by harnessing and developing natural resources. They no longer teach this principle in schools (like so many other things they have watered (dumbed) down and corrupted in modern education.

You have been slowly indoctrinated over recent decades to believe that dollars are wealth. Wealth is not dollars, just like milk or gasoline is not gallons. Dollars do not define what wealth is but are only a measure of wealth, just like gallons do not define what milk or gasoline is.

Service jobs do not create wealth. Their only value is in how they facilitate the maintenance and distribution of wealth. A warehouse does not create wealth. Transporting goods does not create wealth. A store does not create wealth. A cashier or salesman does not create wealth. A repairman does not create wealth. A taxi driver does not create wealth. The greeter at Walmart does not create wealth. Lawyers do not create wealth.

Manufacturing creates wealth. Mining, oil production, and the related refining creates wealth. Land is potential wealth. Standing timber is potential wealth. Crops are wealth.

Think of it this way. If a company goes bankrupt, it sells its physical assets. These are wealth. It cannot sell all the labor and service performed by all its employees in its entire history no matter how many dollars it paid out for these throughout its history because these existed only to serve wealth and are worthless once wealth is no longer being served, as in a failed company. The only thing having tangible, inherent and lasting value is wealth.

Take a look at any US paper currency prior to 1963, be it Federal Reserve note (green seal), United States note (red seal), Silver Certificate (blue seal) or Gold Certificate (gold seal). You will see that printed on them is the promise that they can be redeemed for real wealth on demand. They were all promissory notes. Gold Certificates and coins were repealed in 1934. Silver Certificates were recalled in 1964 and silver coins were discontinued. Also in 1964, United States notes were no longer issued. FIND IMAGES OF THESE NOTES ONLINE AND READ WHAT THEY SAY. All that was left was the Federal Reserve note. Starting with the 1963 series, it now states that that these notes are wealth. The gradual brainwashing of the public to instill the belief that dollars were actually themselves wealth began then.

US manufacturing creates wealth for the USA.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

If there was anyway for the executives at Harbor Freight to employ Chinese nationals at the stores for an 8 hour shift and then return them back to China at the end of their shift, they would do it.

 

[Musicinabottle]

If there was anyway for the executives at Harbor Freight to employ Chinese nationals at the stores for an 8 hour shift and then return them back to China at the end of their shift, they would do it.

No.... 12 hour shifts with no pay, then ship them back to china at no cost to harbor freight.

 

[thallmark]

I guess I get what you all are saying, it was merely an observation. I guess the next question would be, why care so much about American made tools? It the quality/craftsmanship better then say German made tools? I constantly hear that "Oh it's made in Germany it's better BMW/Audi are better built then Mexico/Canada made Ford/Chevy products.

Not trying to get off topic, i'm just trying to understand as i'm a new tool owner and still trying to see where I should invest.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I guess I get what you all are saying, it was merely an observation. I guess the next question would be, why care so much about American made tools? It the quality/craftsmanship better then say German made tools? I constantly hear that "Oh it's made in Germany it's better BMW/Audi are better built then Mexico/Canada made Ford/Chevy products.

Not trying to get off topic, i'm just trying to understand as i'm a new tool owner and still trying to see where I should invest.

If you don't want to support America, you don't have to. You'd be in good company. Chinese made products are incredibly popular here. Just not at my home!

 

[Wamsutta]

I guess I get what you all are saying, it was merely an observation. I guess the next question would be, why care so much about American made tools? It the quality/craftsmanship better then say German made tools? I constantly hear that "Oh it's made in Germany it's better BMW/Audi are better built then Mexico/Canada made Ford/Chevy products.

Not trying to get off topic, i'm just trying to understand as i'm a new tool owner and still trying to see where I should invest.

We go to our place of employment everyday to manufacture high quality products and provide high quality service. We prefer to buy tools made by people who feel the same way.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

This idea is not entirely incorrect. Harbor Freight has a huge number of stores which employ quite a few people. Unfortunately, just like Lowe's, Home Depot or Wal-Mart most of the workers in the store do not make a 'breadwinner' wage. (We will save the discussion of why for later) In a manufacturing facility most of the employee's do, save a few apprentices.

The problem with this idea of going back to the 50s where every town has a plant, mill, etc which provides the majority of employment for the area is that modern manufacturing methods are highly automated. I am in absolute agreement that we need more production capacity in the U.S. and would like to see policies and incentives changed to make that happen. But do not make the assumption that doing so will allow 3/4 of the people currently working in low paying service jobs to have access to a breadwinner job; it will not. It will help some, no doubt but it is not a panacea to our standard a living issues.

When I buy an American product, some of the money goes to American designers, engineers, and manufacturing workers. They take that money and put it back in the American economy by buying (mostly) goods and services from other Americans. If I buy from HF, that money goes to China and it (mostly) ain't coming back.

This is also massively oversimplified. Most of the profits from Harbor Freight remain in the U.S. They are privately held so I don't have an income statement to look at but I suspect payroll is a larger expense than cost of goods sold so even the lion's share of the money that passes through the corporation stays here.

My Toyota truck was built in San Antonio, TX (some are built in Mexico) and all of the powertrain and most of the suspension parts were built in the U.S. The electronic components were mostly made in Japan. Toyota is a "Japanese" company but I am not sure what that means since its "ownership" is traded on a stock exchange. The top holders are a couple of Japanese Banks with J.P. Morgan coming in 3rd.

 

[KDoug]

For USA made socket sets, look to Blackhawk for the most cost effective if buying new. That's probably the next cheapest besides SK or Williams. I believe some of the new ratchets are "Made in the USA with global materials" and some are made in Tawain. If that scares you off, buy a used Proto ratchet off Ebay (since Blackhawk is owned by Proto). Also, I recently bought a nos Blackhawk 3/8 - 1 1/4 socket set from a seller named Satcotom off EBay for $17. You can find good deals, but you really have to be patient and persistent.

 

[BTL-A4]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies.

The lists are what I was looking for. I searched for "USA made tools" and variations on that, but wanted to see what others came up with.

I'm under no illusion that buying American will return all the jobs lost, since most of them were lost to automation. I'd just rather buy from countries that are not totalitarian regimes that pollute the environment and treat workers like cattle. I'm willing to pay a bit more, but within reason.

 

[visionguru]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies.

The lists are what I was looking for. I searched for "USA made tools" and variations on that, but wanted to see what others came up with.

I'm under no illusion that buying American will return all the jobs lost, since most of them were lost to automation. I'd just rather buy from countries that are not totalitarian regimes that pollute the environment and treat workers like cattle. I'm willing to pay a bit more, but within reason.

Isn't it a hypocrisy?
China's CO2 pollution per capita is less than 1/2 of USA's. This was what pollution used to look like not that long ago:
https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/63 You want that all back?

Yeah, you have right to do whatever you like with your money, you just have beef with China. Don't pretend you care about the environment or American workers.

 

[Tallpilot]

S*K
Wright
Proto
JH Williams
Apex (screwdriver bits)
Zephr (screwdriver bits)
Channellock
Wilde (pliers, pry bars, punches, chisels)
Fluke (electrical test instruments)
Hanson (taps and dies)
Imperial (HVAC tools and pliers)
Milbar (pliers)
Klein (electrician and construction tools)
Lang (snap ring pliers and thread chasers)
Morse Marxman (taps, dies, and drills)
Union Butterfield(taps, dies, and drills)
Pratt-Read (screwdrivers)
Schley (automotive specialty)
Sioux (air tools)
Wilton (clamps and vises)
Weller (soldering irons)
Starrett (measuring instruments)
Bondhus (hex keys and torx keys)
Ideal (electricians tools)
Mayhew (punches, chisels, hose clamp pliers)
Simonds (hand files)

Your list and the other guy's below it should be a sticky...thank you!

 

[Tallpilot]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies.

The lists are what I was looking for. I searched for "USA made tools" and variations on that, but wanted to see what others came up with.

I'm under no illusion that buying American will return all the jobs lost, since most of them were lost to automation. I'd just rather buy from countries that are not totalitarian regimes that pollute the environment and treat workers like cattle. I'm willing to pay a bit more, but within reason.

Don't feel bad...you came to the correct place to get your question answered but this is a bit of a sore topic amongst regulars so expect extreme reactions every time you poke this bear.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

I would love to stay USA, but the prices on some things *cough* socket sets *cough* are pretty prohibitive. Picking up whatever you can helps, but when full 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 Taiwan sets are $200ish for or a single smaller set set of US made for $160's it is pretty hard to compete.

 

[buffalobill]

I guess I get what you all are saying, it was merely an observation. I guess the next question would be, why care so much about American made tools? It the quality/craftsmanship better then say German made tools? I constantly hear that "Oh it's made in Germany it's better BMW/Audi are better built then Mexico/Canada made Ford/Chevy products.

Not trying to get off topic, i'm just trying to understand as i'm a new tool owner and still trying to see where I should invest.

No one puts down knipex, hazet, or stawhille on here. Last i knew, germany treats their workers well, nothing pumps out a bad product like a disgruntled worker, no matter what country they inhabit. Btw, my e46 bmw 330ci is sweet.

I have heard taiwan is not like china, the people arent treated like cattle. They also pump out some decent tools for great prices.

 

[mrborohachi]

Shop on https://www.harryepstein.com
or http://www.cripedistributing.com

Both have tabs that automatically give "Made in The USA" tools. So easy a caveman with the internet could do it.

 

[anetode]

Isn't it a hypocrisy?
China's CO2 pollution per capita is less than 1/2 of USA's. This was what pollution used to look like not that long ago:
https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/63 You want that all back?

I usually try to ignore stupid comments, this one I can't. Take a second and think about what you are saying: both countries have roughly equal surface areas (3.797 million mi² US & 3.705 million mi² China), yet one has roughly four times as many people, so for whatever per capita metric you're citing, the pollution is, in fact, twice as bad in China as the US.

Let's just put it mildly: China's reputation for pollution is well-deserved.

 

[CR888]

I can't afford to buy Snap On or equivalent on every tool purchased, the prices here for new SO is massive. But I like good tools from the US, Japan, Germany and other good countries. Its interesting last night I watched a ratchet failure test on YouTube by a guy from the States, he loves SO tools and was very surprised when a brand new Snap On ratchet drive snapped off at 270ftlbs, the Gearwrench flex 84t pin broke at 287ftlbs but the 120xp did not break, it broke the Snap On half inch adapter he was using to go into the digital torque measurer. Taiwan tools are damn strong tools these days its a simple choice when looking for best value for money. Their are exceptions to the rule though of coarse.

 

[visionguru]

I usually try to ignore stupid comments, this one I can't. Take a second and think about what you are saying: both countries have roughly equal surface areas (3.797 million mi² US & 3.705 million mi² China), yet one has roughly four times as many people, so for whatever per capita metric you're citing, the pollution is, in fact, twice as bad in China as the US.
....

I have to say your logic is really smart. So, a single guy can blame his family-of-4 neighbor for burning twice the amount of gas, using twice amount of water, or producing twice the amount of waste?

Manufacturing leads to pollution. That's why we have environmental regulations. That's part of the reason manufacturing left for places with less regulation. Do you think the Chinese want to pollute their country for fun?

Large percentage of my tools were made in USA. Is my $100 Snap-On 32oz hammer that 20 times better than a $5 Chinese hammer? I bought the Snap-On simply because I just like it, simple as that. I don't need to make up a laughable excuse that I bought it because I care about the environment or care about American jobs, even though I do.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I don't need to make up a laughable excuse that I bought it because I care about the environment or care about American jobs, even though I do.

Environment is important to some folks. Others don't care if their drinking water has lead in it, or the air they breathe has carbon monoxide.

 

[Bob P1]

You get what you pay for.
However, buying the same tool twice *****!

 

[Aaron_W]

Even USA made tool companies tend to have some tools made elsewhere. For example Estwing's metal shank tools are USA made, but they also sell lower priced wood handled tools made in Taiwan. It is good to look at the individual tool, not just the brand.

Many I was going to mention have been covered, but didn't see much in the way of outdoor tools, shovels rakes, hoes etc.

Council tool
Rogue Hoe

I have a question,

Why support "USA Made" tools... when companies like HarborFreight probably employee more people in the USA then these other companies?

Many good detailed answers.

I'll offer a short answer would you rather work at Harbor Freight making minimum-ish wage (don't know what they pay, but assume not a lot) or get paid a much higher wage to make a product?

That is basically what it comes down to.

 

[anetode]

I have to say your logic is really smart. So, a single guy can blame his family-of-4 neighbor for burning twice the amount of gas, using twice amount of water, or producing twice the amount of waste?

If you're talking about something serious, like environmental pollution, it helps to not misuse statistics to fit your narrative like you were doing for some out-of-nowhere guilt trip of someone mentioning that the US pollutes less than China (which it does). That doesn't make US pollution any less egregious, any more than coming in 199th in a race of 200 makes one a winner, nor does it discount personal responsibility. Speaking of which: we're all just first-world consumers, none of us are going to change the world single-handedly, but if awareness of environmental costs enters into the equation when we make our choices then I see that as a good thing even if someone else might discount it as posturing.

 

[Snakebyt]

I cant always afford to be picky about the tools i get, my contribution to supporting USA is keeping their vehicles repaired and maintained so they can go to work on a day to day basis.