Gray Tools (CANADA) in Maclean's Magazine
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pcos
Well-known member
The take away from this article is . . .
"This spring, Nuttall and marketing guru Frank Dominguez bought the company from Alex Gray, the third generation of Grays to run the family business"
Well, it was a good run while it lasted! (he says, thinking of the takeover and eventual closure of Beach Industries, among others). My guess is that the first step the new owners will make is to "introduce a new line of affordable tools" to "broaden their market appeal".
Or maybe I just missed my morning coffee . . .
"This spring, Nuttall and marketing guru Frank Dominguez bought the company from Alex Gray, the third generation of Grays to run the family business"
Well, it was a good run while it lasted! (he says, thinking of the takeover and eventual closure of Beach Industries, among others). My guess is that the first step the new owners will make is to "introduce a new line of affordable tools" to "broaden their market appeal".
Or maybe I just missed my morning coffee . . .
OP
thetreshon
Well-known member
I know what you're saying, I'll admit that I was scared when I first heard those 2 bought the company.
Gray has for a while outsourced plier production and other formerly made Canadian pieces to USA, Germany and of course, Taiwan - but I hope this takeover doesn't mean more will be going overseas.
Don't even get me started on how they switched to laser etching on a lot of their Canadian made hardline, opting to OMIT the word "CANADA" on these pieces.
Maybe if enough people complain about the omitting (Snap on anyone?), they'll put CANADA back on there...
Gray has for a while outsourced plier production and other formerly made Canadian pieces to USA, Germany and of course, Taiwan - but I hope this takeover doesn't mean more will be going overseas.
Don't even get me started on how they switched to laser etching on a lot of their Canadian made hardline, opting to OMIT the word "CANADA" on these pieces.
Maybe if enough people complain about the omitting (Snap on anyone?), they'll put CANADA back on there...
rocco
Well-known member
i have to gray tools and very much like them, however they are a pain in the *** to buy - mostly special order through local distributors. I wish i could go to a place like Canadian tire and they would carry Gray as their professional series - i'd pay a premium for that!
PCO6
Well-known member
rocco - I'm not sure if you remember or are old enough but you used to be able to do that. I have a few sets of Gray wrenches and some Gray ratchets and sockets that I bought at CTC. They have "CANADA" and maple leaf on them.
timbitca
Well-known member
I have some gray wrenches at home too. I'm guessing they are probably of those ones bought at CTC since I got them from my grandfather and that's where he made all his tool purchases 
there are a couple of places here in Cambridge carry Gray tools and keep a limited stock on the shelf but they overcharge for the stuff you may as well climb on the Snappy or MAC truck and pay the extra couple of bucks. Actually the local MAC guy can be cheaper.
I would buy them at CTC if they started to carry them again - I like their current range of screwdrivers. They would make a great replacement for the Mastercraft Professional line that is no longer available.
I would buy them at CTC if they started to carry them again - I like their current range of screwdrivers. They would make a great replacement for the Mastercraft Professional line that is no longer available.
Bullet_101
Well-known member
Being Canadian I'd love to buy Gray tools. However every time I've considered buying them, they were more expensive than the snap on tool. I don't even understand.
WNYflyer
Well-known member
Somewhat on topic,
I am in the market for a new tool box and I tend to like the "vintage" look of the old MAC Boxes.I see were your Gray tools still makes boxes very similar to the old MAC boxes at pretty reasonable cost at least according to TheToolstore.ca? Though the layouts probably are not the best they would be fine for my DIY needs.
Can you neighbors to the North recommend any Gray Tools distributors in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, St Catherines, Welland ? Hamilton/Burlington would be no problem also.
I really need to talk to US Customs though to see what it takes to get them across the border what with Duty and such.
Thanks in advance
I am in the market for a new tool box and I tend to like the "vintage" look of the old MAC Boxes.I see were your Gray tools still makes boxes very similar to the old MAC boxes at pretty reasonable cost at least according to TheToolstore.ca? Though the layouts probably are not the best they would be fine for my DIY needs.
Can you neighbors to the North recommend any Gray Tools distributors in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, St Catherines, Welland ? Hamilton/Burlington would be no problem also.
I really need to talk to US Customs though to see what it takes to get them across the border what with Duty and such.
Thanks in advance
PCO6
Well-known member
WNYflyer - Cummins Hydraulics here in Newmarket carries Gray tools and they have a few boxes sitting in their showroom. I don't know if they have other retail outlets but according to their website they serve industry in Southern Ontario.
Cummins Hydraulics ...
http://www.cumminshydraulics.com/default.asp?pid=26
There is also a vendor at the Barrie Auto Flea Market that carries a lot of new Gray tool boxes. It's a BIG flea market held every June and September (unfortunately 2 weekends ago).
Cummins Hydraulics ...
http://www.cumminshydraulics.com/default.asp?pid=26
There is also a vendor at the Barrie Auto Flea Market that carries a lot of new Gray tool boxes. It's a BIG flea market held every June and September (unfortunately 2 weekends ago).
trainer
Well-known member
I've got a set of metric gray wrenches I bought in the '70s.
Kinda ugly and rough around the edges but well made and I've never had any issues with them.
Kinda ugly and rough around the edges but well made and I've never had any issues with them.
PCO6
Well-known member
trainer - I think what you have is the low end wrenches - no offence - I have them too. Do they have a maple leaf cast in to them? The same wrenches were available with a polished finish and they were very nice.
Jim Johnstone
Well-known member
Tegs Tools in Hamilton (www.tegstools.com) is a Gray dealer and had some stuff in stock last time I was in there. Plus they are just plain fun to visit and get carried away looking at tools. 
Somewhat on topic,
I am in the market for a new tool box and I tend to like the "vintage" look of the old MAC Boxes.I see were your Gray tools still makes boxes very similar to the old MAC boxes at pretty reasonable cost at least according to TheToolstore.ca? Though the layouts probably are not the best they would be fine for my DIY needs.
Can you neighbors to the North recommend any Gray Tools distributors in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, St Catherines, Welland ? Hamilton/Burlington would be no problem also.
I really need to talk to US Customs though to see what it takes to get them across the border what with Duty and such.
Thanks in advance
DaleK
Well-known member
Davis & Davis in Napanee had a good selection and reasonable prices last time I was in
Not too many Gray tools here in SC. Vendor at a local flea market has had a 1/2 inch drive Gray RHFT for about a month. It seems to be well made, has a smooth action,and is not a high polish item. Didn't ask price, probably $10 would get it. It is a used item, don't know age.
KEH
KEH
R6 Racer
Well-known member
I have had Gray Tools in my box for as long as I can remember. I Do remember buying a set of wrenches at Canadian Tire WAAAAAAY back. I have yet to have anything Gray break or wear out.
I ended up with all my father's & father in laws tools when they passed. Most of the wrenches, socket sets, & pliers were Gray Tools.
I will never get rid of them! I only hope my sons realise what personal value they have & want them when I go.
Steve
I ended up with all my father's & father in laws tools when they passed. Most of the wrenches, socket sets, & pliers were Gray Tools.
I will never get rid of them! I only hope my sons realise what personal value they have & want them when I go.
Steve
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lbgradwell
Well-known member
R6 Racer
Well-known member
THX fixed.
I will in a day or so.
Steve
I will in a day or so.
Steve
Hlidskjalf
Well-known member
I've never really been a big fan of Gray anyway. I bought a 5/8" ratchet wrench a few years back without realizing it was not Canadian made. Had a few screwdrivers that didn't last long either.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
A 5/8" ratchet? From Gray? I was not aware they ever offered such a thing & if they did, it must have been for a short time... Can you post a photo?
I don't know if they've ever made their screwdrivers in-house either.
Their professional-series wrenches, ratchets & socketry is world-class.
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
I have 15" Gray 1/2" drive rat, awesome and a 1/2" drive breaker bar. Quality is as good as any truck brand IMHO!
Glad that Maclean's could run an article. My hopes for Gray as a company going forward is that they would continue making wrenches, sockets and rat's here in Canada. I would like to see them market product more then they currently do, and make there products more available across Canada. I do not want to see them trying to expand economy offshore line of tools (Dynamic). Not many venders stock product here in BC. Several venders may order it in for you if your order is big enough(experience). Gray should make more distributers for sales, have all venders stock a minimum amount of tools for customers. There are several Gray dealers here that stock hardly anything. I like to see tools before I buy them.
Glad that Maclean's could run an article. My hopes for Gray as a company going forward is that they would continue making wrenches, sockets and rat's here in Canada. I would like to see them market product more then they currently do, and make there products more available across Canada. I do not want to see them trying to expand economy offshore line of tools (Dynamic). Not many venders stock product here in BC. Several venders may order it in for you if your order is big enough(experience). Gray should make more distributers for sales, have all venders stock a minimum amount of tools for customers. There are several Gray dealers here that stock hardly anything. I like to see tools before I buy them.
OP
thetreshon
Well-known member
Unless someone mentioned it already, try thetoolstore.ca
OP
thetreshon
Well-known member
If you're talking about their combo ratchet wrenches, yup they're Taiwan (??) made - Not Canadian or U.S.
As for their yellow clear handled screwdrivers, those are Canadian made. Solid handled, coloured handled Robertson tips are USA made.
Their rubber gripped ones are overseas somewhere - don't know the quality on those.
trainer
Well-known member
Here's what they look like. The rest of that set is in my ATV toolkit
Attachments
PCO6
Well-known member
trainer - You have what I don't have. I have Imperial and BSW wrenches that look identical to yours but I don't have a metric set. They also came in a polished finish and are quite nice. I bought mine while I was still in high school and couldn't justify the higher cost.
I also have some with a Maple Leaf stamped into them. I think they are a step below what you have.
I also have some with a Maple Leaf stamped into them. I think they are a step below what you have.
trainer
Well-known member
I bought these when i was in highschool too....april '79 is engraved on one of them. I had a Japanese motorcycle, so a set of metric wrenches were in order. They were no-nonsense tools made to function, not to be jewellery.
I was thinking of buying a chisel/punch holder, I looked up the snap on on: $40 ouch. I called three of the local Gray dealers all within 1km of where I worked to price up the Gray one, thinking I will do my bit to support a local company: sticker shock was $38-41. I was asked if I wanted them to see if they could order one - I said not to bother if I was going to pay that amount I would pay the extra Toonie to get the better warranty. I think I will just make one. It is a few years since I biught anything made by Gray and now I remember why. Snap on pricing without the warranty. A shame really
OP
thetreshon
Well-known member
Actually, Gray DOES have a warranty, probably close to Snap on's:
http://graytools.com/warrantypolicy.html
And with the experiences I've had, I haven't had an issue yet with Gray, just the dealer/counter guys where I've bought Gray Tools have made things a problem.
I had an antique 1/4" Ratchet that I couldn't open to replace the gears, but the Gray rep took it in to their techs, and replaced the gears for me. Never a problem with them when I call on the phone either.
Thing I like too about Gray vs. Snap on, is I don't need to work at a shop and/or track down a SO truck.
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lbgradwell
Well-known member
I agree; I don't quite understand the criticism of the Gray warranty.
It's certainly true that Gray is expensive and the distribution system is inconvenient for the private purchaser, but the exact same thing is true of Snap-on. And as anyone who reads these boards knows, there is no shortage of horror stories when it comes to Snap-on's warranty process - at least when dealing with truck salesmen.
I've twice required warranty on Snap-on items. The first time I approached a local driver who did replace the broken extractor I needed, but took pains to mention that he normally did not offer such service! The second time I dealt with Snap-on directly and expected a fight, but was pleasantly surprised that it was entirely painless and a replacement dead-blow ball-peen hammer was cheerfully couriered to me.
The point is that Snap-on's distribution & warranty systems are simply not intended for nor convenient for the independent customer. Gray's system of distributors geared towards the industrial market isn't really convenient either, but I can't say it's harder for me to call Gray directly or go to one of their distributors for a warranty than it is to call Snap-on directly or track down one of their drivers.
It's certainly true that Gray is expensive and the distribution system is inconvenient for the private purchaser, but the exact same thing is true of Snap-on. And as anyone who reads these boards knows, there is no shortage of horror stories when it comes to Snap-on's warranty process - at least when dealing with truck salesmen.
I've twice required warranty on Snap-on items. The first time I approached a local driver who did replace the broken extractor I needed, but took pains to mention that he normally did not offer such service! The second time I dealt with Snap-on directly and expected a fight, but was pleasantly surprised that it was entirely painless and a replacement dead-blow ball-peen hammer was cheerfully couriered to me.
The point is that Snap-on's distribution & warranty systems are simply not intended for nor convenient for the independent customer. Gray's system of distributors geared towards the industrial market isn't really convenient either, but I can't say it's harder for me to call Gray directly or go to one of their distributors for a warranty than it is to call Snap-on directly or track down one of their drivers.
my comment on the warranty reflects a previous experience with a ratchet and the problem was the counterman at the distributor where I originally bought the ratchet.
We have 5 suppliers all within 2 kilometres of where I work - I have not bought items from all of them. The Snap On Industrial guy comes on site, when we want something we call him and he comes in and he is always very good to deal with. I have a selection of Gray wrenches, chisels, ratchets, screwdrivers torque wrench, sidebox and sockets all purchased new.
I stopped buying Gray because I became jaded with the dealer at the time because of a ratchet warranty issue and everything had to be ordered and it was always presented as "an effort on their part" - that dealer has ceased to exist. There are now a number of new dealers available. I read the article and thought I would give them another try because the tools have always held up well and it would be nice to support a Canadian company.
I think the problem is the perception the dealers present to customers. Unless you are an account company with them they are not interested. I work for one of the largest companies ( almost a 1000 people) in this area and we are an engineering manufacturing company but because we buy mostly from the manufacturers directly because of the volumes involved when we do need something locally the company gets treated the same or worse than I do when i walk into the local supplier.
Anyway because the pricing bewteen Gray and Snap On is basically the same my choice comes down to:
1) call the Snap On guy and ask him for such and such an item and he will bring it to me within a couple of days or
2) call a Gray dealer they will order it and I drive over to them at lunch time a couple of days or weeks later to collect it.
The warranty process is:
1) call the snap On guy and he will bring me a replacement or fix it on the truck or
2) take the tool to the Gray dealer they will call Gray I hopefully go back in a couple of days.
We often comment that we pay a price premium for the snap On convenience so why are we paying an identical price premium for Gray? assuming the warranty is basically the same.
We have 5 suppliers all within 2 kilometres of where I work - I have not bought items from all of them. The Snap On Industrial guy comes on site, when we want something we call him and he comes in and he is always very good to deal with. I have a selection of Gray wrenches, chisels, ratchets, screwdrivers torque wrench, sidebox and sockets all purchased new.
I stopped buying Gray because I became jaded with the dealer at the time because of a ratchet warranty issue and everything had to be ordered and it was always presented as "an effort on their part" - that dealer has ceased to exist. There are now a number of new dealers available. I read the article and thought I would give them another try because the tools have always held up well and it would be nice to support a Canadian company.
I think the problem is the perception the dealers present to customers. Unless you are an account company with them they are not interested. I work for one of the largest companies ( almost a 1000 people) in this area and we are an engineering manufacturing company but because we buy mostly from the manufacturers directly because of the volumes involved when we do need something locally the company gets treated the same or worse than I do when i walk into the local supplier.
Anyway because the pricing bewteen Gray and Snap On is basically the same my choice comes down to:
1) call the Snap On guy and ask him for such and such an item and he will bring it to me within a couple of days or
2) call a Gray dealer they will order it and I drive over to them at lunch time a couple of days or weeks later to collect it.
The warranty process is:
1) call the snap On guy and he will bring me a replacement or fix it on the truck or
2) take the tool to the Gray dealer they will call Gray I hopefully go back in a couple of days.
We often comment that we pay a price premium for the snap On convenience so why are we paying an identical price premium for Gray? assuming the warranty is basically the same.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
ndoran, I better understand your issue now and I think I'd make the same choice as you were I in your position...
This is very short-sighted of the distributor & I doubt very much that Gray would consider this the type of people they want representing them.
I'd email the company to let them know!
This is very short-sighted of the distributor & I doubt very much that Gray would consider this the type of people they want representing them.
I'd email the company to let them know!
OP
thetreshon
Well-known member
Exactly!
Yeah, for me it's not the Gray rep that's the problem, it's the counter sales dudes.
I've let Gray know about the numnuts working the counter at the ONLY distributor in the area with Gray product actually in stock (the others do orders only).
They make you feel like a nobody if you don't have an account with them. I wish I would have mentioned to Gray that I wanted to slap the mustache off of one of the counter guys...but I didn't.
On an impulse buy, I grabbed the only pair of 10" snips they had on sale at this distributor. They tried convincing me that the gouges in each blade and the surface rust from sitting were not a problem and they were brand new and never used. They made it a real pain in the *** to try and get an actual new pair to replace these for me. It took almost 2 months, and when I talked to the Gray rep, he couldn't understand why they were giving me so much trouble.
If industrial distributors have an issue with Joe Public coming in to buy something, then don't allow us in the front door!
But these experiences haven't stopped me from buying Gray at all. I've ordered things from other distributors, and if I go to the in-stock distributor, I do everything I can to piss them off.
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I ended up getting a punch holder made by Westward from the local Acklands Grainger it is also within 2km of where I work. it is hilarious when you think about the fact that we have pretty much every Industrial supplier within 2km and in some instances they are next door to each other in the same industrial strip mall.
The difference between these companies is amazing. I buy my C25 shielding gas from Praxair for $25 a fill they go out of their way to help. Boltz Plus are always helpful and discount their prices when you are buying a box of rivets etc. In this instance Acklands Grainger were very helpful and they gave me the same discount that the company I work would have received which reduced the Westward chisel holder from $22 to $16 and treated me the same as if I was spending $50k. The difference in approach means I will go back.
Of course you are correct I probably should let Gray know how their distribution chain is working for them, but I tend not to bother, I go back to places that are good to deal with and recommend them to others.
The difference between these companies is amazing. I buy my C25 shielding gas from Praxair for $25 a fill they go out of their way to help. Boltz Plus are always helpful and discount their prices when you are buying a box of rivets etc. In this instance Acklands Grainger were very helpful and they gave me the same discount that the company I work would have received which reduced the Westward chisel holder from $22 to $16 and treated me the same as if I was spending $50k. The difference in approach means I will go back.
Of course you are correct I probably should let Gray know how their distribution chain is working for them, but I tend not to bother, I go back to places that are good to deal with and recommend them to others.
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
lbgradwell
Well-known member
I don't believe Gray actually makes these...
PowerGenGuy
Well-known member
The adjustables must be rebadged, who made them for Gray I do not know. However they are good! My guess is that they are made in Taiwan, and are similar to the new carlisle adjustables if i am not mistaken! They do have a US Pat. stamped on them. They are similar in profile to SO at the jaws! My tool box on the road has the 10" and 12", and i use em daily and i like em. My 8" adjust. is SO and my 15" is Wright.
What patent number?
That's a really nice looking 1/2" drive ratchet.
Sadly I have little Gray in my box. Hopefully I'll change that in the not too distant future. I've been eyeing their toolboxes in their flyers for a while now.
I agree that good or bad sales agents can make or break dealing with any tool company. And I certainly try to avoid bad sales agents out of principle. But I do think it is important to support quality manufacturers, and sometimes that means going a little out of ones way to do so. So if you can track down a good supplier for Gray...