Empires future

[defektes]

With Empire level now owned by Milwaukee what are the chances that the Chinese parent company are going to outsource it's production?

In the event this happens are there any good US makers of levels and squares that one can turn too?

 

[never enuf time]

They aren't distributed at many brick & mortar stores but Port Austin levels are made in US.
http://www.portaustinlevelandtool.com/index.html

 

[Stuey]

You didn't read my post, did you?

http://toolguyd.com/empire-new-levels-2015-2016/

"Right now, something like 85% of Empire tools are made in the USA, and they plan to keep it that way."

Milwaukee Tool has been pumping a lot of money into Empire. There are a lot of new levels and related layout tools planned for the next 2 years, and Milwaukee's already at work tweaking the branding. For instance, combo squares won't have black handles, they'll be blue.

 

[franzdom]

With Empire level now owned by Milwaukee what are the chances that the Chinese parent company are going to outsource it's production?

In the event this happens are there any good US makers of levels and squares that one can turn too?

Since it's a Chinese parent company wouldn't that be IN-sourcing it's production?

 

[Jeremy77]

Johnson has a mostly U.S. Made lineup of levels, speed squares, framing squares etc. Home Depot and TSC are two retailers who carry the line.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Is this why it's suddenly impossible to buy some craftsman measuring/layout products (which are made by empire)? I've noticed that a lot of their craftsman squares (combo, framing, rafters etc) are no longer in many stores, and online they are listed as unavailable for pick up or shipping.

I wonder if they dropped Craftsman (or Craftsman dropped them)....

 

[Parrothead]

Johnson has a mostly U.S. Made lineup of levels, speed squares, framing squares etc. Home Depot and TSC are two retailers who carry the line.

Menard's too.

 

[LB-1911]

With Empire level now owned by Milwaukee what are the chances that the Chinese parent company are going to outsource it's production?

In the event this happens are there any good US makers of levels and squares that one can turn too?

For the third time......

You didn't read my post, did you?

http://toolguyd.com/empire-new-levels-2015-2016/

"Right now, something like 85% of Empire tools are made in the USA, and they plan to keep it that way."

Milwaukee Tool has been pumping a lot of money into Empire. There are a lot of new levels and related layout tools planned for the next 2 years, and Milwaukee's already at work tweaking the branding. For instance, combo squares won't have black handles, they'll be blue.

 

[Fusion13]

Never liked empire's stuff much, I usually use Johnson or Stanley

 

[TomB19]

I've got a couple of Empire levels. They are OK but aren't lusty, like the DeWalts.

I didn't think about COO when I picked up DeWalt levels but I assume they build all levels in Thailand.

Does anyone know if all Stanley levels are built in Thailand? I would guess so.

 

[Jeremy77]

I've got a couple of Empire levels. They are OK but aren't lusty, like the DeWalts.

I didn't think about COO when I picked up DeWalt levels but I assume they build all levels in Thailand.

Does anyone know if all Stanley levels are built in Thailand? I would guess so.

Not sure of the COO on the Stanley levels but I've found both 12" and 24" framing squares that are U.S. made.

 

[Jeremy77]

Menard's too.

I wish Menards would make a push into the Southeast U.S. I'd love to have one within relative reasonable driving distance.

 

[Jeremy77]

While on the topic of levels.... Many years ago when I worked as a framer, I bought a 48" level from K Mart. It was their (at that time) house brand, BenchTop. Not sure of the COO or if it was a rebadge but it's probably the most durable of any level I've owned over the years. I can't speak to the quality of other BenchTop branded tools but I wish I'd bought a few different size levels when K Mart carried that brand. Also had a set of nail bags from there that held up pretty well.

 

[defektes]

You didn't read my post, did you?

http://toolguyd.com/empire-new-levels-2015-2016/

"Right now, something like 85% of Empire tools are made in the USA, and they plan to keep it that way."

Milwaukee Tool has been pumping a lot of money into Empire. There are a lot of new levels and related layout tools planned for the next 2 years, and Milwaukee's already at work tweaking the branding. For instance, combo squares won't have black handles, they'll be blue.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I missed your article Stuey, my bad.

It is good to know there are alternatives to Empire if in the future they do get outsourced. I buy new levels almost yearly, and I almost exclusively stick to empire. We abuse them pretty good here at work.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Could be wrong, but I think Sears is switching away from Empire as the supplier for Craftsman levels and layout tools. Surprisingly, they seem to be switching to Johnson, another American manufacturer.

I just bought the Craftsman 7in combo square. I can confirm it is not made by Empire anymore, and in fact, I really don't like whoever does make it now. Besides the issue that their 7in combo square is now only 6 inches (checked the part numbers, they ship a 6in combo square with the same part number as the 7in listing online, and it's not an online mistake, as they also have a separate listing for the 6in combo square with a different part number). It is Made in USA of US and Global materials at least (the old empire ones were entirely made in USA). The old Empire made craftsman squares also had an actual 7in model.

The ruler is hard to read. The laser etched empires are way easier to read.

The vial has a cheap plastic cap to keep it in place. It also falls out frequently.

There is still lots of sharp metal that wasn't completely removed from when it was removed.

The blade lock tension adjuster is cheap, and sort of falls/springs apart occasionally.

The empire ones are drastically better. Needless to say I'm calling sears tomorrow to complain about not only the quality, but the fact that they now sell two 6in combo squares, but list one of them as being 7inches.

EDIT: just googled Johnson Combo Squares and that looks like what I have. Not impressed. Couple photos. One Johnson/Craftsman next to an Empire, and one showing the sharp metal slivers left from machine work, and one showing the cheap plastic cap to hold the vial in.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Could be wrong, but I think Sears is switching away from Empire as the supplier for Craftsman levels and layout tools. Surprisingly, they seem to be switching to Johnson, another American manufacturer.

Sound about right, my store has pretty much no empire stuff left and all of them have tags say ask associate for details.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Could be wrong, but I think Sears is switching away from Empire as the supplier for Craftsman levels and layout tools. Surprisingly, they seem to be switching to Johnson, another American manufacturer.

Sound about right, my store has pretty much no empire stuff left and all of them have tags say ask associate for details.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Stuey]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I missed your article Stuey, my bad.

It is good to know there are alternatives to Empire if in the future they do get outsourced. I buy new levels almost yearly, and I almost exclusively stick to empire. We abuse them pretty good here at work.

I meant that a little tongue in cheek.

There are plenty of Empire competitors, and I think that competition is going to heat up. Milwaukee's wallet behind Empire's R&D will likely lead to more innovations, beyond the new lighted level(s), which will force other brands to continue with their own developments.

 

[defektes]

Maybe Empire will re-introduce the good US made 4 ft metal rulers. Last one I ordered off of Amazon listed it as made in USA, (my old one was US) and I received it was Chinese. Just about the same quality as HF rulers with a empire price tag.

I complained to Amazon and got to keep it for free.