Do people really care where tools are made

[Tejaas]

For my tools, US or German made is my choice. I have three exceptions:

Wera precision screwdrivers (Czech)

Gearwrench ratcheting wrench sets (Taiwan)

HF 44" box (China)


My weakness is for "Go Texan" products.
If it's American made, great.
If it's American made IN TEXAS, I'm definitely onboard. Support local economy, right? Haha.

Examples:

Moore Maker Pliers and Knives.
Larue Tactical for my varmint rifle builds.
I only buy groceries at H-E-B.
"Devine Run" Springfield M1A's

I tend to like my handmade cedar furniture from Mexico. I don't like American furniture!

I refuse to use anything other than Boker (Solingen) knives in my kitchen... Alot of folks say Japan, but I prefer German.

I probably wouldn't buy a US made TV/DVD player/etc, haha. Doesn't pretty much everyone have us whipped in that department?

The best fishing rods and reels come out of America (Penn) and Japan (Shimano).

I try to go with the best product for the job,
Despite it's origin.

To me, for tools - it happens to be US and/or German.

Now, if I find a Mexican set of combination wrenches I'd buy them... even if they turn out to be **** I'd keep em around for novelty purposes, haha!




~Tejaas~

WTB: Snap-On Orange Hard Handle SSDP63 in Very Good Condition!

 

[bobbycos]

i'd like to see a set of mexican wrenches

got some metric sockets from India somewhere around here

 

[Dave.R]

"I can assure ours are made to our specs and our formulation."

Pretty much the exact same thing is on every junky Irwin product's label, including their vises...which are exactly the same as HF's.

It's a meaningless phrase.

When it comes to being prop 65 compliant is isn't a meaningless phrase. Ours comply, others don't. Producing deadblows with better materials is much trickier, that's why most don't.

 

[cashishift]

I try to find USA made stuff, in some cases it's just not an option.

 

[Gregg33]

Personally, yes I do. It's extremely important to me. Other than my power tools, almost none of my tools are Chinese made. For non-tool purchases I go out of my way to purchase Canadian or U.S. made goods as well. Although it's not always convenient, cost effective or even possible to avoid off-shore garbage when it comes to items like clothing and electronics. For me when considering CoO, my 1st choice is Canadian made, a close 2nd is U.S. made, 3rd is Western Europe, 4th Israel or Japan, 5th Brazil, 6th is Eastern Europe, 7th is Mexico, Taiwan or Korea, then India, only as a last resort do I purchase Pakistani or Chinese goods.

Those are my personal preferences, but when analyzing society as a whole , generally speaking people don't give a rats *ss where tools or anything else is made. I've spent almost a decade in the retail business, mostly in auto parts (worked for 4 major chains and currently a large independent), I also spent time working in a major home improvement chain, as well as a mass retailer. Given my conversations with customers over the years, as well as observing their buying habits, I'll say the following....only 40% claim to care even the slightest about CoO, less than 10% use CoO as a major factor in their purchasing decisions and less than 1% are "militant, in-your-face, despise buying off-shore products" type people like I am. Now to be fair the area I live in (Niagara Region in Canada) is very economically depressed and some of the places I worked at were low end stores, not to mention Americans may be more patriotic than us Canucks, but regardless it doesn't paint a very good picture of consumers buying habits.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Judging by the rusty, horrendous, flea-market, knockoff, no-name scrap metal inhabiting the toolboxes of the mechanics at my job, no, nobody cares. I do, though. I buy USA whenever possible.

oOfDa

Are You saying that the meCHINAcs at Your workplace use Dime Store ****?

 

[richfinn]

I buy a mix of USA/European/Japanese tools as they tend to be on a par quality wise

My laptop/scan tool/smart phone and most power tools are probably Chinese built for Japanese and Euro companies and they all work pretty good

I don't really mind buying Chinese or USA, as the politics don't concern Yorkshire people too much.

 

[Revere Cycles]

I care about a great tool first, followed by COO. For cordless electric tools, the current crop of Ridgid tools are impressive and work great in my experience. I understand that those tools are made in China, but they perform wonderfully for my needs.

Most of my new hand tool purchases are still professional grade and USA made, but I am honestly pleased with the Gearwrench and Duralast items I have purchased in a pinch. Still not my first choice, but I would buy them again if I had to. Those tools are either occasional, or serve in an emergency capacity. Great for going to the pick'n pull, or just for having a spare set to take to a friend's house.

However, all my serious floor standing tools, planers, saws, drills, etc... that has to be all US made. I have a tight budget, and it's easy for me to get a great deal on some old US steel, clean it up over an afternoon or two, and have a remarkable machine to work on for the rest of my life. I have no time to jerk around with some Taiwanese crud with parts that cannot be found. FWIW, I have used several top tier Grizzly tools in a professional setting with great performance. If I had a modest tool budget and had to buy new, I would consider Grizzly; if money were no object, I would buy as much USA as possible.

 

[schmoldty]

I buy craftsman and i sure as hell care where they are made

 

[jblachly]

I suppose it depends on what I need the tool for, and for how long.

 

[PeterT]

I go out of my way to buy USA made tools. I value other Americans work & pride and some day it might be my job that is in question. The communist chinese can sell there junk to some other schmuck that obviously doesn't care about the coo.

 

[ClineWrench]

Me personaly; I buy American anytime it's possible. If it's not my next preference is German, then if I absolutely have to, I will buy Taiwanese.

Recently on a warranty trip to sears for a half inch drive extension, I noticed Immediately there was something wrong by the weight difference. That's when I saw the Chinese markings.

Just goes to show that when you can FEEL the difference, that's how you know it's better to buy quality.

That extension by the way has been used once and is already flaking chrome.

RIP Craftsman USA tools.

 

[odermann]

I do care. I not saying I buy everything or every tool American made, but I do make the effort to do so. However sometimes if it is a tool i only need once or i'm going to "misuse" or "abuse" it for a one time project or something, i go with the foreign POS.

 

[chickenfarmer]

I'm young and in my first years of the machining trade, and I won't buy imported tools unless I absolutely have to. I want tools that I can be proud of and last me a lifetime. Call me crazy, but I like good tools

 

[MagnumForce]

Craftsman still makes an incredible amount of US stuff. FAR more than any of their competitors. IE Other big boxes


I find it funny that every one of you is posting on something far more expensive than a single tool that is made is China that you don't seem to have an issue with.

I am not happy about things but you have to adapt or die.

 

[HairMetal]

I prefer American or German tools, but i sometimes buy cheaper Taiwanese or Chinese stuff too if it looks like it will suffice.

 

[chadster1]

I'll throw my .02 in here. I have sold a couple million dollars worth of tools over the last 10 years. Most (not all) professional users buying off of a tool truck do not care where the tool is made. They are more interested in quality and service after the sale (warranty).

Just because something is made in Taiwan or China does not automatically mean that it is junk.

 

[ArtDeco]

I grew up in the modern, throw-away society. Now I am open minded enough to search out for made in USA stuff when time and $ allows for the purchase.

 

[Local]

only usa tools for me at work and yes I do care. The china stuff has improved over the years and is now putting out some decent stuff but I try to help my american brother and sisters by buying usa made tools. Before we realize it, everything will be made across the seas.

 

[nieuport17]

I was in UK recently and went to B&Q (their version of Home Depot). I noticed that most tools do not have COO. I was quite puzzled. Between that and the exchange rate of pound, I didnt pick up anything.
I guess I do look at COO.

 

[Notorious BRT]

Craftsman still makes an incredible amount of US stuff. FAR more than any of their competitors. IE Other big boxes


I find it funny that every one of you is posting on something far more expensive than a single tool that is made is China that you don't seem to have an issue with.

I am not happy about things but you have to adapt or die.

You are right. I'm posting on a piece of junk phone that cost me $700 and was made in China. And I'm pissed about it. I have been trying to find a USA made phone, apparently that unicorn does not exist.

Back on topic: 99.5% of the tools I buy are USA made, and I make it a point to do that. I wouldn't be opposed to some stuff from Canada or Western Europe though. I'll pick up a thing or two at HF once in a while but it's pretty rare.

 

[BikerDad]

For my tools, US or German made is my choice. I have three exceptions:

Wera precision screwdrivers (Czech)

Gearwrench ratcheting wrench sets (Taiwan)

HF 44" box (China)


My weakness is for "Go Texan" products.
If it's American made, great.
If it's American made IN TEXAS, I'm definitely onboard. Support local economy, right? Haha.

Sounds like you should have a garage full of Plano tackle boxes, and Martin tools.

Yes. Martin. Made in Texas.

 

[Jerryrigged]

I try to buy American made tools if I can. Don't get me wrong I buy what I can afford and try to get the best quality when it comes to making purchases. I have no problem buying foreign made tools.

 

[Jiles]

"Do people really care where tools are made?"
I don't think the vast majority of people do! Like yesterday, I was in a Big Box store shopping for 10" circular saw blades. Because I DO CARE, I noticed they had Irwin Made in USA and DeWalt made in Communist China.
Didn't surprise me that the Dewalt was higher priced. While looking, A middle aged man just picked up the Dewalt and kept walking.
I bought two Irwin blades.
Several years ago, I went to hardware store to buy galvanized roofing and neoprene head screws.
This was a small store and the owner knew I buy American. I got around to installing the roofing and noticed the screws were Made in Japan!
I took them back and asked if he had American made screws. He returned with a large box of screws made by US Steel. I asked him what the difference in price was, and he said same price!
Now which one did he make the most profit on??
I would rather have a used American product then a new Communist Made one!!

 

[bushmechanic]

Japan isn't China, and it damned sure enough isn't communist. We invested greatly in their development, and it's paid off quite nicely in both technology and manufacturing.

China is a different story entirely.

 

[Jiles]

Japan isn't China, and it damned sure enough isn't communist. We invested greatly in their development, and it's paid off quite nicely in both technology and manufacturing.

China is a different story entirely.

Just in case you are referring to my post----
I did not say Japan was Communist.
If you read my post again, you will see that I said the screws and roofing were bought several years ago. At that time the Communist didn't own the sales in this country and I dought if any American screws could be purchased today!!
Today, I try to buy American and if I can't , Japan or German Made items are somewhat accepted.
I have a large assortment of tools and ALL are made in USA, Japan, or Germany. Some are old because new ones are Communist made.

 

[Jarr3tt_G]

Absolutely...I only buy USA made tools price doesn't matter

 

[nanofrog]

...I dought if any American screws could be purchased today!!

FWIW, they do still make fasteners of all kinds here in the US, including lowly screws.

Most of them just end up being sold to large contract purchasers, primarily other manufacturers. Who then use them to qualify their products as "Made in USA", however those laws apply to them (some industries have some different regs, such as automobiles and textiles).

But if you look, there are retailers that deal in US made fasteners (example).

 

[Cato]

I like to buy American; but probably for different reasons than a lot of fellas here.

I like Americana, I love the idea of a little plant in the Midwest, family owned putting out tools my grandfather might have owned. There's lots of history to American tool makers, and a lot of good people making good products.

After lots of personal comparisons and research, I don't believe American made tools are better than most other countries' tools.

Swiss, German, and maybe Japanese tools, are superior in durability and craftsmanship. Taiwanese tools are about equal or better in quality to anything America puts out. Most Chinese tools are equal in quality to most American made stuff. Craftsman is a good example - there's no difference in qualities of wrenches, sockets, or ratchets between Chinese and American made. Same thing with Vice Grips and Rice Grips. Most guys who claim otherwise have very weak evidence to support their argument like "duh...my Chinese Craftsman socket just turnt to dust when I looked at it."

 

[John in OH]

I also care where my tools and other products are made. All things being equal, I would always buy USA-made tools. Unfortunately, that's not always practical.

My preferred tool brand is Wright, but there is no Wright dealer close to my farms in SE Ohio. When I have the luxury of time to wait for delivery, I order Wright tools from a Wright distributor. The only two tool sources within 45 minutes of my farms are NAPA and Advance Auto. So, when I need something quickly, I usually turn to the local NAPA store (10 minutes away) and buy a Carlyle tool even though it's made in Taiwan.

Another consideration is use vs. cost. I'm not a pro mechanic so if I know I'm going to be using a tool only a few times I often can't justify spending big bucks for a US-made item if a lower priced foreign option is available. But, even then, I sure prefer to buy a tool from Canada, Western Europe or Taiwan. PRC is my last choice and then only if there is no reasonable option.

 

[crerus75]

I dought if any American screws could be purchased today!!

Just down the road from me, in Southington, CT, is FF Screw Company. It was started by Frank Fragola, the same fellow that started Fragola Performance to manufacture AN fittings for the automotive aftermarket. AFAIK, his companies do produce screws, bolts, fittings, spherical rod ends etc. right here in the US. I've met a couple of the family members that work there, including Frank himself, and they're excellent to deal with.

 

[justme-]

I try to buy US made to support our country's manufacturing on anything I buy with few exceptions. If I'm buying something there is no affordable US made version like electronics.
Intel makes chips here (there's an Intel plant in my town that used to be a Digital Equipment plant), but assembled units are very expensive and only advertised to those who can afford it.
I buy quality when I need quality and for one time use I'll buy lesser grade regardless of COO. My main tools are a mixture - some Hf prybars, Hf air die grinder, Allen/Craftsman combo wrenches (with others). US made socket sets with some foreign (taiwan/japan/ china) depending on what purpose - a set left in the trunk for occasional use is not going to be SK, nor is the set I currently use at work since I don't have a secure box to lock my tools up in right now. I also needed a metric offset box wrench to r&r the starter on my Yamaha motorcycle when I was 19. 4 bolts. Obstructed by the exhaust crossover so a socket won't reach, and the set of Sears brand (not craftsman - the china made off brand that came before Evolve and what it replaced) cost me around $20 where the Craftsman single wrench was double that and had a different offset which may not have fit. Still have the bike (in storage) and the wrenches. Haven't used them since - good cost versus use.

 

[jotimm05]

This makes me laugh.

You guys really think buying a set of wrenches (most probably once in your lifetime) will keep your fellow citizens employed? Tool manufacturers can probably churn out a lifetime supply of wrenches of specific size for warranty and sale in the time it tales me to finish this post. Tools are not commodities or services that you pay for regularly, it doesn't matter where they are made since you're buying a US brand anyways. You want the tools made here, bet you anything its not made by a US citizen.

The irony is that people here preach about buying USA made tools but never paid full MRSP for them. Some even thinks buying used tool will stimulate and preserve the economy and labour force. The only thing keeping Americans employed is services.

I don't think it's a laughing matter.
When the service being provided slows or fails because of inferior/import tools causing job to lag, the customer will go elsewhere. Invest in quality/domestic/reliable products and complete job on time, under budget and in good standing with customer. Not to mention keeping bread on fellow American's tables. There's many reasons why the U.S. is the greatest country, this is one of them.

 

[SASORacing]

Yes, supporting my country is a huge bonus when buying a tool that is great quality.

 

[Brownsfan]

Wow this thing turned into an epiq thread that keeps being brought back. My original point was the craftsman Facebook page was full of people complaining about the tools being made in China. My point was more people outside of the GJ community care that the tools ate now made over seas. I think the average customer that buys tools at sears still thinks they are USA made because they have always been. They don't know any better. When they find out they feel betrayed almost. Just spend a few minutes reading the craftsman facebook page and you will see what I'm talking about.

 

[Beemer533]

When I started in the trades in '94, in almost every companies gangboxes, there were Dewalt cordless drills, Milwaukee corded drills, Milwaukee sawzalls, Metabo grinders, Milwaukee portabands, Hilti hammer drills.

Then one year… Stout portabands started showing up on jobs… They were a major timesaver.

Then Milwaukee made their own version.

Since then, every companies gang boxes are more and more Milwaukee and less and less of the other brands every year.

When was the last time you saw a Stout on a job? They changed the world, and got run over.

I can't wait to see the Milwaukee cordless knockout sets on jobs.

Milwaukee needs to come out with a cordless crimper for crimp dies and lugs.

We bought about 6 or 7 Xbands when they first came out; they were awesome.. The biggest problem we had is their batteries were terrible and you couldn't find them in many stores, just online.

Since we had all Dewalt stuff, when they finally came out with theirs, we switched immediately so all we needed was one type of battery (that last forever and if you need a new one, they are everywhere).

I will say the one thing I miss that the stouts had was the little table you could plug the saw into... those came in handy for smaller stuff..


As far as COO, I definitely prefer buying a US made product, as long as it is at least as good as another choice. But I have no problems buying German, Japanese, Swedish etc tools/products that are just as good or better.

When it comes to China I try to avoid as much as I can, but it isn't always possible.

 

[Beemer533]

I don't think it's a laughing matter.
When the service being provided slows or fails because of inferior/import tools causing job to lag, the customer will go elsewhere. Invest in quality/domestic/reliable products and complete job on time, under budget and in good standing with customer. Not to mention keeping bread on fellow American's tables. There's many reasons why the U.S. is the greatest country, this is one of them.

As patriotic as I am, I don't think you can say that if you don't buy American tools, you can't work well...

The point of his original statement that you quoted was to say that the folks that think they are supporting Americans and their businesses by only buying used or discounted American goods are deluding themselves.

 

[lametec]

Sounds like you should have a garage full of Plano tackle boxes, and Martin tools.

Except Plano Plastics is in Plano, Illinois!

 

[Strouty]

Japan isn't China, and it damned sure enough isn't communist. We invested greatly in their development, and it's paid off quite nicely in both technology and manufacturing.

China is a different story entirely.

Yes, CHina has heavily invested in the US and it is paying off for them.

 

[Jerelld13]

I like to buy American made products, but I own some stuff made in China because it was given to me for free and because of need. Now a days, china is starting to make good tools. Lol