USSouthernman
New member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2017
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Hello, someone may have already answered this question. I searched the forum and didn't see an answer. Are Gearwrench tools made in the USA?
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Gearwrench
- Thread starter USSouthernman
- Start date
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Some were, most are china or taiwan.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
China or Taiwan.
Vantastic
Well-known member
Hello, someone may have already answered this question. I searched the forum and didn't see an answer. Are Gearwrench tools made in the USA?
Yes. Totally. 100%
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
As others have said; Taiwan and China mostly. They have had a few USA Armstrong rebrands but those are going away. We'll see how long the USA pinless impact swivels last with Armstrong shutting down.
Had a local independent tool dealer in that retired not too long ago. Was running a good deal on a full set of the USA made Gearwrench torque wrenches. Sold everything he had on the truck, but when the orders came in for folks, they were all the new Chinese models. I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back and he called it quits.
Had a local independent tool dealer in that retired not too long ago. Was running a good deal on a full set of the USA made Gearwrench torque wrenches. Sold everything he had on the truck, but when the orders came in for folks, they were all the new Chinese models. I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back and he called it quits.
drink
Well-known member
It is my understanding the GearWrench brand of hand tools is currently being manufactured by the APEX Asia Group. They say the GearWrench brand is their main brand they are marketing. I have no idea of how long it will last, or be dropped from production like some of the other brands they have made.
I have a GearWrench marked 2957 torque wrench that was made in the US. However I bought that about 3 years ago and gearwrench lists it as an "obsolete item" on their website. Zoro lists the COO for some of their oil filter wrenches like the 2010D and 191 as being US made. I'm kind of curious if they still are since I like my KD 191 wrench and wouldn't mind another along with the larger 2010D.
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anndel
Well-known member
They were, now Taiwan or China. I've seen some that were made in Taiwan a few years ago now in china.
oldldh
Well-known member
All my GearWrench sockets, ratchets, and magnetic extensions are made in Taiwan...
And are all well worth what I paid for them...
That's about as fair as it gets, these days...
And are all well worth what I paid for them...
That's about as fair as it gets, these days...
All my GearWrench sockets, ratchets, and magnetic extensions are made in Taiwan...
And are all well worth what I paid for them...
That's about as fair as it gets, these days...
yep, your point is pretty much hit the nail on the head.
CGT80
Well-known member
I was looking at the gearwrench tap and die wrenches, but they are also made in china. They look like they would be similar in quality to the craftsman pro usa ratchets but it is hard to tell from photos. I hate to buy Chinese made tools, but if they are nice quality, the price seems ok for serious hobby/small business use.
On amazon, the full set of handles and adapters is $160, but if I get the small and large sets individually and the two little adapters separate, it only comes to $100 for the same 11 pieces. I already have a huge cman tap and die set and buy norseman drills and taps for the more commonly used sizes.
Any input or an alternate brand?
On amazon, the full set of handles and adapters is $160, but if I get the small and large sets individually and the two little adapters separate, it only comes to $100 for the same 11 pieces. I already have a huge cman tap and die set and buy norseman drills and taps for the more commonly used sizes.
Any input or an alternate brand?
kctyphoon
Banned
Not USA made, but probably some of the best imports you can buy. Many people on this forum use them professionally or at home.. it's rare to read anything negative about them, and most people will consider them one of the "most for the money" brands.
If you are looking for anything specific, just post it.. there are some great buys on socket sets..
If you are looking for anything specific, just post it.. there are some great buys on socket sets..
it's a crapshoot to be honest. Very few items were made in the USA. Out of all my Gearwrench tools (and I have a LOT) only one item is made in USA with "foreign materials" and that is an extended reach razor blade scraper.
Most old stock you will find is Taiwan. Things like sockets, extensions, ratchets, XL ratcheting wrenches. But a lot of the newer items are still Taiwan: Pick sets, screwdrivers, torx drivers.
Don't let the COO scare you away because a good bit of things I have are China, like impact sockets, long pattern combo wrenches, stubby wrenches, flare nut wrenches, and they are all high quality.
Seriously though, "Made in USA" just isn't applicable anymore. There are a bunch of import tools out there that are high quality. I look at Gearwrench as the "new" Craftsman.
Most old stock you will find is Taiwan. Things like sockets, extensions, ratchets, XL ratcheting wrenches. But a lot of the newer items are still Taiwan: Pick sets, screwdrivers, torx drivers.
Don't let the COO scare you away because a good bit of things I have are China, like impact sockets, long pattern combo wrenches, stubby wrenches, flare nut wrenches, and they are all high quality.
Seriously though, "Made in USA" just isn't applicable anymore. There are a bunch of import tools out there that are high quality. I look at Gearwrench as the "new" Craftsman.
Oldgloryfirearms
Well-known member
I feel like we are getting more and more of these random post from new members just to start conversation about a product. Sounds like a scam to me
GearWrench bought out KD tool. I believe the KD stamped stuff was better. I have some of those spark plug sockets with the magnet/extension built in that proves that from both brands but a pic would not prove anything. I have a small basic set of their metric ratcheting wrenches and they are "ok". I had one freeze up and had it replaced, didn't torque on it either. GW would be on the low end of what I would buy. I would give it a 6.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
I work at a store that sells them, mostly Taiwan. Ratcheting wrenches are from China though. It's just one of several brands APEX has.
How about the XL DBE ratchet wrenches? I bought the sae and mm sets this past December and they were both Taiwan made. I have flex heads, stubbies and reversibles in both sae and mm and they're all Chinese. Just curious if they've switched over yet also.
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I don't have much in the way of GW tools, I have ratcheting box ends from Taiwan, they seem ok, My son has dual branded GW/Ace Hardware, China, he likes them.
I don't believe Apex is making any GW tools in the US anymore. If you find any they are probably NOS
I don't believe Apex is making any GW tools in the US anymore. If you find any they are probably NOS
timc930
Well-known member
I feel like we are getting more and more of these random post from new members just to start conversation about a product. Sounds like a scam to me
I am a new member and I was curious as well, which is why I came upon this thread. I have a lot of tools that are old, broken in some way, and some sets (screwdrivers, pliers) missing some models that I like to use. I am in the process of buying new screwdrivers, pliers, and some ratcheting wrenches, as I did not have any (ratchet wrenches) until i recently bought some GW, so I was curious as to where they were/are made, as well as researching USA companies to buy future tools from, so, I personally find these types of threads very informative.
Also, due to this forum, I recently bought a SO KRL Tool Box, used, as opposed to a lesser quality new box, not that I really need the SO quality, but I am looking forward to experiencing a top class box, as I do appreciate quality, as well as saving around $700 in the purchase.
SO yes, I really do appreciate all of the questions asked, as well as the responses by senior members with the experience and wisdom that I may lack regarding tools, and related decisions.
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Professional Tool User
Well-known member
A handful of items are. However, GW is mostly overpriced Made in China stuff with some made in Taiwan tools in the mix.
I love my long pattern metric combo wrenches. Full set no skips. As a matter of fact, next time I drive north to Menard’s I am going to get the SAE set. I also grabbed both the SAE AND METRIC ratchet wrench sets when NAPA had them BOGO last Christmas season.
If you buy ratchet wrenches I strongly suggest the reversible style with the direction lever vs the type you flip over. I watched someone accidentally get the flip over style stuck in a bad way because you couldn’t reverse it. I am not brand loyal anymore and seek out USA first, almost to a fault. But GW has heald up very well to home mechanic/Jeep builder/off roader/neighborhood mr fix it.
As a matter of fact we have a small store kind of like a mini Home Depot called
DIY. My wife was sweet enough to shoot me a picture of their update hand tool lineup. It’s mostly GW which is about 5 steps above what they had.
If you buy ratchet wrenches I strongly suggest the reversible style with the direction lever vs the type you flip over. I watched someone accidentally get the flip over style stuck in a bad way because you couldn’t reverse it. I am not brand loyal anymore and seek out USA first, almost to a fault. But GW has heald up very well to home mechanic/Jeep builder/off roader/neighborhood mr fix it.
As a matter of fact we have a small store kind of like a mini Home Depot called
DIY. My wife was sweet enough to shoot me a picture of their update hand tool lineup. It’s mostly GW which is about 5 steps above what they had.
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...However, GW is mostly overpriced Made in China stuff with some made in Taiwan tools in the mix.
Yup, pretty much ^^^ Great marketing though
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Funny this thread popped back up. I'm looking through Gearwrench's new product section and oddly enough there is some US made offerings. Some of it looks like they might be trying to dump leftover Armstrong tools like slugging wrenches and that indexible head ratchet Armstrong made. Other stuff looks like they are selling Mayhew punches, chisels and pry bars. I also found one pair of pliers that looks like Wilde along with some re-branded pliers that look like they might be Pro-America based off of the two component grips and looking similar to Pro-America's product line. Here's a link to all the pliers in the new section.
None of this is meant to argue against the fact that the vast majority of their line is imported. Mostly surprise that all of a sudden they have US made anything in their product line.
None of this is meant to argue against the fact that the vast majority of their line is imported. Mostly surprise that all of a sudden they have US made anything in their product line.
WittHay
Well-known member
GearWench to me has always been Taiwan sockets and Chinese wrenches. So depending on what you buy GearWrench is either not bad Taiwan ratchets or **** Chinese ratcheting wrenches.
The KD line now just called GearWrench with the old KD numbers is mostly Taiwan with some US stuff like feeler gauges. The local tool store is advertising US made GearWrench deadblow hammers
The KD line now just called GearWrench with the old KD numbers is mostly Taiwan with some US stuff like feeler gauges. The local tool store is advertising US made GearWrench deadblow hammers
KDoug
Well-known member
Aren't some of their tool chest/boxes made in Canada?
timc930
Well-known member
Aren't some of their tool chest/boxes made in Canada?
I think International tool boxes are made in Canada....