Wrenches and sockets do eventually wear out, so I've been told. I've seen sockets break and have broken a couple myself. I've also used some very old sockets that had been in hard use long before I got ahold of them and they did seem to fit a bit looser on the fasteners I used them on. But I wouldn't nessesarily say those old sockets were worn out. Wrenches - combination, box end, open end, when used correctly I've never worn one out. I've also seen some very old (almost 100 years maybe) wrenches still being used in some small fabrication and wood working shops in the North Eastern US that are still getting used daily. From the style and appearance I assume they were from pre-WWI era. Granted they were being used to change out router bits, tighten saw blades, and adjust machinery, not really used to torque down bolts real hard or anything.
That's one of the things and reasons I love about tools and guns that keeps my enthusiasm and affection for them going. In a day of disposable products, disposable marriages, and diposable morals, tools and firearms are among the few durable goods still being produced today that stand the test of time, despite being used hard.
Oh one more thing JohnFreeman. I appreciate and completely understand your stance to buy American made. I believe in that cause too. But, don't get brain washed into believing that everything that comes out of China or Taiwan is ****. There are great products made in those countries and there are shoddy piss poor products made there as well, just like anywhere else, including the USA. We see a lot of junk coming from those countries because the American company and brand owners who has it's products made overseas is often contracting with the cheap low end spectrum of manufacurers there, all just to save a buck, they won't go with the better manufacurers over there. A whole lot of USA manufacurers these days are also no longer capable or willing to produce good quality at a fair and reasonable price either, though a few still do.
