How much time do you spend looking for USA made tools?

[visionguru]

Though I have plenty of Snap On, Channellock, etc., I'm not going out my way to look for Made in USA tools, it's pointless and a waste of time.

The low-end manufacturing jobs (such as tools) will never come back. China is already starting to find those jobs not profitable. We'll find more and more things from India instead. Those jobs will be keep moving, but will never move back.

 

[johnny_boy02]

I spend my time looking for quality tools. USA made is great but not a deal breaker or requirement.

 

[ike]

from 2010 to around 2019, it was fairly easy to find NOS USA made tools. over the last two years, i've noticed that the well is running dry on the old stock, so you are left with the current brands that are high in price. not much meat on the bone for the budget shoppers these days.

 

[corn chip]

We'll find more and more things from India instead.

found this in a toolbox at work. not sure how the hek it got there . maybe was from a local autoparts store. only india wrench ive ever seen

 

[Badgerstate]

I recently wanted a set of hex / Allen screwdriver bits. I probably could have run over to Home Depot or Menards and been back with a set made in China or Taiwan in 30 minutes or so.

However, I like to buy stuff made in the USA where possible. I spent hours searching online for a set of hex / Allen screwdriver bits made in the USA. Some of the items I found you either couldn't actually purchase anywhere, or it would take two weeks before the item would even ship. I finally found a Bondhus set while browsing Amazon. I somehow missed the screwdriver bit sets when looking through the Bondhus catalog. After nearly a week of looking I placed an order with Amazon last night. I had tried Harry Epstein and the only ones I found on the website were imports.

Does anyone else here spend this much time looking for made in the USA tools?

Nope. I spend zero time looking for made in USA tools because steel is steel. Some might say that they like buying US tools to support US jobs and so that the tools arent made by people who are making slave wages. That may be true but if you believe what Den Of Tools showed in a video he made a while back about the new Craftsman tool plant and the wages that they are going to pay, its certainly not what the job is worth. Ive worked in manufacturing for over 20 years and Id laugh at anyone who offered me a job working in a foundry for $14 an hour. To me, thats practically slave wages and doubt that any other US tool factories are much better.

 

[boom10ful]

I recently wanted a set of hex / Allen screwdriver bits. I probably could have run over to Home Depot or Menards and been back with a set made in China or Taiwan in 30 minutes or so.

However, I like to buy stuff made in the USA where possible. I spent hours searching online for a set of hex / Allen screwdriver bits made in the USA. Some of the items I found you either couldn't actually purchase anywhere, or it would take two weeks before the item would even ship. I finally found a Bondhus set while browsing Amazon. I somehow missed the screwdriver bit sets when looking through the Bondhus catalog. After nearly a week of looking I placed an order with Amazon last night. I had tried Harry Epstein and the only ones I found on the website were imports.

Does anyone else here spend this much time looking for made in the USA tools?

I try to buy used USA, NOS, or even new. Hex bits are one thing that need to be higher quality for me. I've had many Husky hex bit sockets and they all shear at some ridiculously low torque. Warranty is painless, but my time (and gas) has been wasted for far too long now.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Is COO a factor? Sure. Is it the only factor? No. I prefer quality over blind patriotism, but as someone else said above, it’s can be the tie breaker between two otherwise equal tools for me.

 

[jonshonda]

I make an effort to look, but understand that I wouldn't have much stuff in general if I was picky about US made products.

I have taught my kids to look, and every one in a while you will hear them belt out "made in CHINA".

 

[VolvoRyan]

Is COO a factor? Sure. Is it the only factor? No. I prefer quality over blind patriotism, but as someone else said above, it’s can be the tie breaker between two otherwise equal tools for me.

Succinct, and very well put.

For me, SK was my go to for years (and I spent a *lot* of money). It ticked all the boxes.... but SK's shake up this past year had me looking further afield. It was refreshing to have the blinders off. There's a lot of fun tools out there.... Wera screwdrivers just bring a smile.

-Ryan

 

[mikedodge]

I go by price and reviews if any first. If there are multiple options and you can get something made in North America or Europe for a decent price I usually go that route. Doesn't happen very often.

 

[woody 73]

Fun story...

Just this week I was at an estate sale and I watched a man look at a handful of tools for what to me seemed like forever, or at least the best part of five minutes. Well, I was so curious that I had to ask the following question, so I asked that Stanger was he looking to only buy the American made hand tools to which he replied "oh no that had not come into my mind at all, I just wanted the ones that looked pretty in my eyes".

That one took me by surprise...

 

[Tinner]

I spend zero time looking for made in USA tools because steel is steel.

The steel alloys and heat treatment vary across a wide spectrum. Generally, you get what you pay for.

 

[reader2580]

The ironic part of this whole thing is Amazon originally said my screwdriver bits would be delivered today and are now scheduled for Tuesday. I absolutely need to do the work this evening so I'll be using a manual Allen wrench I guess. If I had just gone to a big box store and grabbed whatever they stocked I would have the bits already. I don't need the bits badly enough to go buy a second set. It will just take an extra 20 minutes of manual work.

EDIT: A USPS mail truck just delivered my screwdriver bits. I wonder why Amazon stated they would not arrive until Tuesday? This is good new for my project I need to do today.

 

[Ton ton]

Although I can't necessarily include screwdriver bits when it comes to things like linesman pliers I can waddle down to the local Do it best and grab some USA made pliers. It all depends where you shop for tools.

 

[mikedodge]

The ironic part of this whole thing is Amazon originally said my screwdriver bits would be delivered today and are now scheduled for Tuesday. I absolutely need to do the work this evening so I'll be using a manual Allen wrench I guess. If I had just gone to a big box store and grabbed whatever they stocked I would have the bits already. I don't need the bits badly enough to go buy a second set. It will just take an extra 20 minutes of manual work.

EDIT: A USPS mail truck just delivered my screwdriver bits. I wonder why Amazon stated they would not arrive until Tuesday? This is good new for my project I need to do today.

That's why I usually buy tools I need quickly in store and don't rely on Amazon.
Same thing happened to me, ordered something the other day and it said arrive on Tuesday but it showed up this afternoon.

 

[garfunkle24]

Not much. I care about quality and performance and the quality/price ratio much more than COO. Let's be honest though, while not a hard and fast rule, COO is often at least somewhat of an indicator of what kind of quality you can expect from an item.

 

[reader2580]

That's why I usually buy tools I need quickly in store and don't rely on Amazon.
Same thing happened to me, ordered something the other day and it said arrive on Tuesday but it showed up this afternoon.

I should have done this project last weekend, but I didn’t want to just run to a local store and get something made in China. It is something I want to sell on EBay yet in 2021 before the new 1099 requirement kicks in next year. I don’t want to pay income tax on something I am losing money on.

Amazon told me I would get the item on Sunday, changed it to Tuesday, and then I ended up getting it today.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Nope. I spend zero time looking for made in USA tools because steel is steel. Some might say that they like buying US tools to support US jobs and so that the tools arent made by people who are making slave wages. That may be true but if you believe what Den Of Tools showed in a video he made a while back about the new Craftsman tool plant and the wages that they are going to pay, its certainly not what the job is worth. Ive worked in manufacturing for over 20 years and Id laugh at anyone who offered me a job working in a foundry for $14 an hour. To me, thats practically slave wages and doubt that any other US tool factories are much better.

There's literally thousands of steel alloys. Not to mention heat treatments, chroming, etc.

And yeah, the SBD starting salaries are not impressive, but but I'd bet there's a probation period, so that might be temporary. Plus this doesn't even compare to actual slavery (as in forced labor) and child labor that happens in China.

 

[Loga_3]

Since i'm swedish, and here in Sweden USA-made tools basically are impossible to get locally. Only option is from eBay, but then the price goes waaaay beyond what brand new Knipex costs with shipping and import taxes. Other than that, i totally agree with the guys above that stated quality before country of origin!