Husky Tools! What Happened?

[Renegade1LI]

I recently picked up a couple boxes of hand tools off cl and I was surprised to find so many usa made Husky sockets and wrench's. One ratchet has a cool feature, the handle spins to turn the socket, i love it. Combo wrenches up to 1 1/4 polished, nice quality, sockets that look just like cm. It looks like back when a lot of there hand tools were made in the usa, it’s a shame it changed

 

[alex71]

it wasn't even that long ago. I bought a set of wrenches and sockets at home depot in the late 90s or early 2000s that were all US made. Used them for years... good tools. Still around here somewhere.

 

[Rarified27]

Is there a specific name for the type of ratchet with the geared handle?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Renegade1LI]

Is there a specific name for the type of ratchet with the geared handle?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Looks just like this from Stanley
Stanley 89-962 3/8" Drive Rotator Ratchet
And it’s fine tooth.
And blackhawk
Blackhawk GW-9946R Rotator Full Polish 7-1/4 in. Length 1/4 in. Pear Head Ratchet
BLACKHAWK Model: BHKNGW9946R

 

[Fedwrench]

Corporate Greed

The Apex Tool Group started making Husky tools in the SATA plant in China, People's Republic of.

The recent US made Husky stuff was rebadged Blackhawk for the most part.

 

[Fialaja]

There was a time where Home Depot would take broken craftsman tools in trade for Husky.
I traded a few raised panel wrenches for a lot nicer full polish models from Husky.

I have those box end wrenches and think they are great. Can’t find them in metric though...

 

[mikester]

A number of years ago I found the Husky metric and SAE polished combination sets in the clearance area of the local HD. Grabbed them both. Im still using them today. The only one thats ever spread is the 3/8 and thats due to tightening header bolts.

 

[KnurledNut]

Reminds me of this:

 

[Renegade1LI]

I just don't remember Husky USA, to busy buying CM USA, maybe

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have lots of their USA stuff too. It’s good stuff. Got all mine from the pawn shop. I read online Home Depot hasn’t always owned the name. I like it and Kobalt USA stuff too. Now Husky is I think all China and I’ve broke the last few things I’ve gotten from them so I’ve tried not to get any new stuff from them. My Husky torque wrench is nice though it’s only a couple months old it’s not too bad. I am not old enough to remember when they were USA made lol I’m sure it was long before Craftsman stopped being USA made because I remember Craftsman lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[never enuf time]

Ya , all my Husky's are usa made. I do have a worn out ratchet, do you think I should trade in for inferior Chinese or do they make quality repair kit ?

 

[captain14]

Reminds me of this:

I remember those ads and signs in the stores after they moved into the Wash DC metro area. Mid 90s to early 2000’s ?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Ya , all my Husky's are usa made. I do have a worn out ratchet, do you think I should trade in for inferior Chinese or do they make quality repair kit ?

No repair kits they replace the whole thing that is if you can get them to replace it. Usually they tell you to call Husky directly.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[never enuf time]

No repair kits they replace the whole thing that is if you can get them to replace it. Usually they tell you to call Husky directly.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

I can't just replace at Home Depot ? Guess I am getting old, thinking the same way Sears would do it.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I can't just replace at Home Depot ? Guess I am getting old, thinking the same way Sears would do it.

Lol depending on your store you maybe able too. Both of my stores tell you to call the number and wait for a replacement they won’t replace it on site well depending on the worker really.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[snakeeyes]

Menards use to be the same way nice USA made sockets and tools. Now just the same as everyone else with china stuff.

 

[grandeyota]

I have one of the USA husky sets from around 99-2000ish and it got a lot of use on my vehicles. Most of it that I haven’t lost is still in use and it decent shape. Ratchets that got traded in kept getting worse over the years so now they are back ups.

 

[Ilikeike]

I have a couple old Husky “pro” USA marked ratchets in a spare tool box at work. Maybe 15yrs old or so.
They’re polished black with soft grip handle. Not bad.
I agree it’s too bad they don’t have those anymore, seemed like a decent quality home DIY’r tool like Cman was 40 yrs ago.

 

[Y00PER]

it wasn't even that long ago. I bought a set of wrenches and sockets at home depot in the late 90s or early 2000s that were all US made. Used them for years... good tools. Still around here somewhere.

It was around that time... Mid to late '90's ..... That Wal-Mart's Popular Mechanics branded tools were U.S. Made. I still have a dozen or so of the 1/4" drive sockets around, and possibly a screwdriver or 2. Sad when even cheap tools were U.S. Made back the, and now, a lot of brands that were far better are made overseas

 

[Fialaja]

No repair kits they replace the whole thing that is if you can get them to replace it. Usually they tell you to call Husky directly.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Depending upon the ratchet, you may find a proto or Blackhawk kit that works. Post a picture of the ratchet. Someone will know what interchanges with it.

 

[Fialaja]

Husky was just a brand. There was no manufacturing. Much like craftsman. Husky was made by SBD. prior to that it was New Britain I believe.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Depending upon the ratchet, you may find a proto or Blackhawk kit that works. Post a picture of the ratchet. Someone will know what interchanges with it.

Good point. It’s not my ratchet though it’s the person I quoted who has the ratchet.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[MarvinBerry]

Some husky is still USA made or at least was a year or 2 back... acetate screwdrivers & such. It's not all China.

Don't have any USA sockets here, anything I bought in the 90s was craftsman cause I worked at Sears.

But over the last several years as my needs expanded I bought a lotta Husky and it's all been totally usable. It's not all I have but lotta pliers & a 60 buck blowmold socket set that covers most of my needs.

Dunno why the brand doesn't get any respect here. It's no worse then any other cheap tool & better then many....

Never had to warranty anything but supposedly bring a broken tool to pro desk & they'll hand a new one?

 

[bob15]

The replacement warranty was funny. HD had a clear plexi-glass bin to show people the competitors tools being brought in for replacement/exchange for the Husky's. Funny thing was there were a couple Snap On ratchets in that bin.

Never could understand why someone would dump the Snappy ratchet in there for a Husky......

 

[boom10ful]

Their bits are garbage. I warrantied the same bit 4 times until I was frustrated and just bought Bondhus.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Ya , all my Husky's are usa made. I do have a worn out ratchet, do you think I should trade in for inferior Chinese or do they make quality repair kit ?

I would need to see a picture of the ratchet ?
Some Husky is New Britian, some was made by Stanley . If it is one of the above their is a good chance a rebuild kit is available under the Blackhawk label.

 

[joey1320]

Nothing really "Happened". It all went as planned.

Build a reputation with US-Made products.
Get people to change brands from CM to Husky (Or equivalent).
Slowly replace US-Made products with imports.
Profits.

 

[Fialaja]

Nothing really "Happened". It all went as planned.

Build a reputation with US-Made products.
Get people to change brands from CM to Husky (Or equivalent).
Slowly replace US-Made products with imports.
Profits.

But kill the quality in the process of steps 3-4. Cases in point-
Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, crescent, vise grip, Porter Cable, Rockwell, thorsen. All once great brands. Ave calls them “zombie brands” nothing left of the quality, just a name.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Sad but true, the end of an era

 

[dscheidt]

Lol depending on your store you maybe able too. Both of my stores tell you to call the number and wait for a replacement they won’t replace it on site well depending on the worker really.

Stomp your foot, and ask to talk to the manager. The warranty is very clearly "return to store". You have a lazy or poorly trained clerk. Same if they want an id for a warranty replacement; they are doing it as a return, without a receipt, which will limit your ability to return other things. Not just at HD, either, across lots of stores that use the same "loss management" database service. (too many returns, you're a shoplifter.)

If the manager won't replace the tool (assuming they have something suitable, an entirely different problem), take names and complain up the ladder. somewhere i have the letter from the office of the ceo apologizing that their store wouldn't honor their warranty. It came with the wrench I was trying to replace, and a gift card.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Stomp your foot, and ask to talk to the manager. The warranty is very clearly "return to store". You have a lazy or poorly trained clerk. Same if they want an id for a warranty replacement; they are doing it as a return, without a receipt, which will limit your ability to return other things. Not just at HD, either, across lots of stores that use the same "loss management" database service. (too many returns, you're a shoplifter.)



If the manager won't replace the tool (assuming they have something suitable, an entirely different problem), take names and complain up the ladder. somewhere i have the letter from the office of the ceo apologizing that their store wouldn't honor their warranty. It came with the wrench I was trying to replace, and a gift card.

Wow. That’s great. Lowe’s always refuses Craftsman warranty but in a way it’s good because when you email or call Craftsman they don’t make you return the old tool where as at the store you do. Same with Home Depot and Husky the only time I ever had success is when I bought a socket and cracked it same day went back and they gave me a new one since I was there earlier that day no hassle.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[qqzj]

The funny truth is when it's time to pay real money, nobody gives a damn to where they are made if it's only slightly more expensive. I only tried to flip a 10 piece set of sae milwaukee combo wrenches $10 piece for $95. Made in Taiwan. I sold it in a week. I am still trying to flip a set of USA made Husky. SAE 14 pieces. Complete set, like new, with factory tool holder. For $140. Nobody bother to show interest. I am willing to negotiate on price. It is just there's no interest at all. You can't find a similar set in home depot now. Buying individual wrenches will be a lot more expensive than $140. This is the reality.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Renegade1LI]

The funny truth is when it's time to pay real money, nobody gives a damn to where they are made if it's only slightly more expensive. I only tried to flip a 10 piece set of sae milwaukee combo wrenches $10 piece for $95. Made in Taiwan. I sold it in a week. I am still trying to flip a set of USA made Husky. SAE 14 pieces. Complete set, like new, with factory tool holder. For $140. Nobody bother to show interest. I am willing to negotiate on price. It is just there's no interest at all. You can't find a similar set in home depot now. Buying individual wrenches will be a lot more expensive than $140. This is the reality.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

I don't think Husky USA tools have the same following as CM or Milwaukee, it's a shame they seem like well made tools. I just came into a bunch & theres even impact sockets with extensions.

 

[Ilikeike]

Husky "Pro" ratchets we've had in the shop for a long while.
They're okay. better than raised panel C-man anyway.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Husky "Pro" ratchets we've had in the shop for a long while.
They're okay. better than raised panel C-man anyway.

I love this Husky rotator ratchet, just used it today it's like a battery ratchet with really good feel & control. Now I need to get a couple more for my crew.

 

[Vpick001]

I feel like most of my posts are just talking up Husky. Hah. I do agree that their bits are pretty ****, and their adjustable wrenches are lousy. However, for Chinese tools (especially the sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers) they have held up well as newbie/community tools at our shop. Once or twice a year we’ll take the few damaged items we’ve accumulated back tot he store for warranty, and they never bat an eye, just replace the sockets (normally a bit abused) or whatever we have.

I think their biggest selling point to me is the price. Unlike Craftsman, Husky didn’t keep their Made in The USA price once they went to China. I also like that you can get singles of wrenches, sockets, etc. which is something I wish HF would do.

Personally I’ve been buying more from Tekton, as they’re slowly shifting to more USA made tools, and with decent pricing. Their new dead blows are very tempting.

 

[dnschmidt]

Corporate Greed

The Apex Tool Group started making Husky tools in the SATA plant in China, People's Republic of.

The recent US made Husky stuff was rebadged Blackhawk for the most part.

Corporate Greed, American's lack of concern for quality and the endless race to the bottom. You know, THE USUAL STUFF!!!

 

[Renegade1LI]

Some husky is still USA made or at least was a year or 2 back... acetate screwdrivers & such. It's not all China.

Don't have any USA sockets here, anything I bought in the 90s was craftsman cause I worked at Sears.

But over the last several years as my needs expanded I bought a lotta Husky and it's all been totally usable. It's not all I have but lotta pliers & a 60 buck blowmold socket set that covers most of my needs.

Dunno why the brand doesn't get any respect here. It's no worse then any other cheap tool & better then many....

Never had to warranty anything but supposedly bring a broken tool to pro desk & they'll hand a new one?

I buy husky for the jobsite, gets the job done at a good price point and easy to pick up at hd.

 

[Peoria Man]

I am not old enough to remember when they were USA made lol I’m sure it was long before Craftsman stopped being USA made because I remember Craftsman.

Not very long before; although most likely there was a long transition period when stores carried a mix (like how many Sears stores had both US and Chinese stuff on the same rack until eventually the US stuff was all gone).

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Not very long before; although most likely there was a long transition period when stores carried a mix (like how many Sears stores had both US and Chinese stuff on the same rack until eventually the US stuff was all gone).

Oh so like 2011-12 ish then. I didn’t go to Sears or Home Depot a whole lot then not as much as I do now or did in Sears case. Lowe’s was my main store back then and Walmart.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal