MAC Tools - Made in USA?

[Blacknwhitepit]

IMPORTED FROM TAIWAN

IMPORTED

IMPORTED

I haven't been on a MAC truck in about a year, but from what I am seeing on Ebay, most of their stuff looks like it is made in Tawain/China. The only thing I see made in USA is their wrenches.


I know they are owned by Stanley, but have they just become an importer/re-badger company?

What MAC stuff is still made in the USA?

-BWP

 

[goodfellow]

Just replaced a couple of 1/4" drive swivel chrome sockets -- they're made in the USA

Didn't see any MAC labeled Taiwan/China sockets on the truck either.

 

[wrenchr]

The ratchet is made in the USA...It is the same as the proto big dawg.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

The ratchet is made in the USA...It is the same as the proto big dawg.

You may be correct about that ratchet,

However I don't trust MAC!


http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/stanley.shtm

They got busted lying about this one! (Their Zero Degree Ratchet)

-BWP

 

[chad s]

You may be correct about that ratchet,

However I don't trust MAC!


http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/stanley.shtm

They got busted lying about this one! (Their Zero Degree Ratchet)

-BWP

Interesting. I have that ratchet (the only MAC tool I own). I got it cheap, and have never used it, but I noticed the quality of the castings was not nearly as nice as snap on or matco, and at the price, I was surprised. Now I know why.

 

[Deafautotech]

i had impact sockets as deep impact socket (1/2dr both metric and sae), impact swivel set as shallow and deep swivel sockets. all are usa made... i was noticed my mac tool guy starting to sell imported tools like torx and else as it is chrome not like OTC bulletproof that i am love it.

 

[wrenchr]

You may be correct about that ratchet,

However I don't trust MAC!


http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/06/stanley.shtm

They got busted lying about this one! (Their Zero Degree Ratchet)

-BWP

Yes that one is jap **** for sure.

 

[kidney]

I'd be careful of any Mac tool pliers that are on e-bay. I bought about 4 different pliers and the quality was absolutely horrible. That's not to say they aren't knock offs or perhaps seconds. They work as intended, but christ, they looked absolutely terrible. If I get a chance I'll post up some pictures. *****, as I have always liked Mac tools. Plus I'm still waiting for a rebuild kit for my 1/4" ratchet, it's been two weeks now.

 

[Deafautotech]

I'd be careful of any Mac tool pliers that are on e-bay. I bought about 4 different pliers and the quality was absolutely horrible. That's not to say they aren't knock offs or perhaps seconds. They work as intended, but christ, they looked absolutely terrible. If I get a chance I'll post up some pictures. *****, as I have always liked Mac tools. Plus I'm still waiting for a rebuild kit for my 1/4" ratchet, it's been two weeks now.

i have long needle pliers and have no problems with it because it is working. i was noticed that mac tools have problems with quality of tools Not the ratchets, wrenches, sockets...

 

[wrenchr]

That is what happen's when a Bean counting corporation like Stanley buy's out a company. They will squeeze all of the profit out of Mac then sell them.

 

[eschoendorff]

This is one reason why I don't buy MAC tools. There is nothing that they make that Snap On or Matco (or hell, even Craftsman) can't do better.

 

[wilbilt]

I assume that all Stanley/MAC/PROTO/Blackhawk/etc. production has moved overseas or will shortly do so.

They have been blowing out huge lots of US-made tools (such as those ratchets that are all over ebay) and I see no reason for it unless they are retooling the entire line.

These days, that only means one thing...

 

[eschoendorff]

I

These days, that only means one thing...

Yup.... shop elsewhere...

 

[ColdDuckTime]

I'd be careful of any Mac tool pliers that are on e-bay. I bought about 4 different pliers and the quality was absolutely horrible. That's not to say they aren't knock offs or perhaps seconds. They work as intended, but christ, they looked absolutely terrible. If I get a chance I'll post up some pictures. *****, as I have always liked Mac tools. Plus I'm still waiting for a rebuild kit for my 1/4" ratchet, it's been two weeks now.

Pliers are a funny area I think. All the ones I've looked at personally and in pics seem about the same with one exception My guess is that you might as well buy a pile of Channellocks/Craftsman/Big 3/whatever or buy the more expensive Knipex ones for about 2x as much. It's definitely an area where I can't see upgrading from Craftsman to Snap On as I doubt it makes a lick of difference...the Knipex one's definitely appear better, but lacking a pair on hand it's hard to say.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

This is one reason why I don't buy MAC tools. There is nothing that they make that Snap On or Matco (or hell, even Craftsman) can't do better.

+1

I 100% agree with you. I have said:

"I want this MATCO set of Swivel Impacts"

"I want this set of Snap on Pistol Grip Pliers"

"I want this set of Craftsman Flip Sockets"

I have never found anything from MAC that had an advantage and/or was absolutely necessary to get the job done.

As a matter of fact the only two MAC tools I own are a broken Dead blow hammer (Can't find the MAC guy in my town) and the Butterfly sockets (Which are the EXACT same type sold as Snap on) - Interestingly enough they are made in Taiwan. Ugg- I feel dirty admitting that..

JMHO

-BWP

 

[chad s]

Check these out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mac-...002QQitemZ120181717672QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

If I want Lisle tools, I'll go to sears!

 

[Deafautotech]

i was starting to decreasing buy from mac tools because many tools are imported and quality seem not better than sears's...

 

[kidney]

Pliers are a funny area I think. All the ones I've looked at personally and in pics seem about the same with one exception My guess is that you might as well buy a pile of Channellocks/Craftsman/Big 3/whatever or buy the more expensive Knipex ones for about 2x as much. It's definitely an area where I can't see upgrading from Craftsman to Snap On as I doubt it makes a lick of difference...the Knipex one's definitely appear better, but lacking a pair on hand it's hard to say.

It's funny that you mention that. I finally got my garage rebuilt (it was in a fight with a giant hackberry) and started digging though my tools. I have three pairs of pliers that have been around since I was little and now are mine. I never paid much attention to them, but one is a pair of Knipex pliers (which still to this day are called the "red handle pliers" even though just about all my pliers have red handles) that has done everything from car repair, to working on the kitchen sink and survived being left outside for months at a time by neglectful kids. The other is a pair of Snap-on side cut pliers. You can just barely make out the name on them, but they, too, have been around for as long as I can remember. And the last is a pair of old Klein needle nose pliers. I found them not too long ago in an old tackle box. One of the few needle nose pliers that I've had that are still even on the end, even after a lot of abuse. Long post short...I've been buying a pair of Channelock pliers each time I go to a store that carries them.

 

[ColdDuckTime]

The Knipex that look to be worth a premium (to me) are those uber-ergo models like on the cover of the catalog.

http://chadstoolbox.com/downloads/knipexcatalog.gif

They sure look purty, don't know if it's a superior product as a result. It isn't like a lifetime supply of pliers amounts to a lot of money for 99% of people.

 

[rhandwor]

The five star torx plus tampers were made by Progressive Chun Yip Co.,Tianjin China.
The only place you will find China is on the cardboard wrapper in very small print.

 

[autoace]

See my thread Snap-on,Cornwell,MAC,Matco CAN KEEP THEIR ASIAN JUNK. SAD

 

[Vinko]

I assume that all Stanley/MAC/PROTO/Blackhawk/etc. production has moved overseas or will shortly do so.

My local hardware store just got in a bunch of new Stanley wood-working tools imported from England. Wood rasps, etc.

 

[Merkava_4]

These bad boys are made in USA.

 

[Vinko]

These bad boys are made in USA.

You need to start offering your services to the catalogs. Ever since I saw your pics of those wrenches, I've kept an eye out for the Mac Truck. I can't afford another set of wrenches now, nor certainly, do I need them, but I want them!

 

[eschoendorff]

Did MAC ever have their own version of the Proto 500 wrenches? I always wanted to try a set of Proto 500s....

 

[chammyman]

I have a Macsimizer SST7B torx driver set.

I love it btw.

Anyway on the front it says Handles made in the UK, driver bars made in the USA.

Stubby Screwdrivers made in Slovenia

 

[krusty the clown]

Did MAC ever have their own version of the Proto 500 wrenches? I always wanted to try a set of Proto 500s....

i think the proto 500 wrenches pre date stanleys involvment with mac tools.

 

[eschoendorff]

i think the proto 500 wrenches pre date stanleys involvment with mac tools.

No wonder they look so nice...

 

[rhandwor]

I have a set of the five star and on the cardboard wrapper it says made in Taiwan. I assume the truck driver removes this.

 

[a390st]

Man, those are beautiful. My old Mac wrenches look exactly like those, but the chrome is more satin looking now. I think the squared off beams look as good as they feel.

 

[rhandwor]

You can tell by looking at the price if its a lot cheaper than a Matco or Snap On its foreign.
About of the new bits are foreign. Call 1-800-Mac-Tool and ask for a tool rep they will tell you in a hurry.

 

[krusty the clown]

You can tell by looking at the price if its a lot cheaper than a Matco or Snap On its foreign.

not really........their taiwan made screwdrivers are more expensive than snap on's us made ones and matco's german made ones.

 

[rhandwor]

That's bad news buying over the internet you don't know what you are getting.

 

[wrenchr]

I have an account with Mac and get to inspect the tools before purchase.

 

[ohblondi]

Rejuvenating an old thread, does anybody know the COO for new Mac Pliers?

I definitely don't see USA anywhere on them..

 

[gdocktor3]

Rejuvenating an old thread, does anybody know the COO for new Mac Pliers?

I definitely don't see USA anywhere on them..

Here's an email I received from them 3 days ago This item is manufactured in China by GOALMAC INTERNATIONAL.

Thank you,
Mac tools Customer Service

As disappointing as that is, I have a few pairs of those pliers and cutters and I like them a lot. They're definitely better than any big box brand like husky, HF, kobalt, etc with the coveted "Taiwan" label that everyone seems to go crazy looking for. I don't own any snap on pliers/cutters, but I do own a lot of SK and Craftsman USA stuff, which are quality tools rebadged by many different brands, and the Macs are just as good.

 

[ohblondi]

I appreciate your response, I am a big fan of their old long reach plier set that came in a pouch. It is a shame to see a company who used to make nice USA made tools, shift over seas.

 

[gdocktor3]

I appreciate your response, I am a big fan of their old long reach plier set that came in a pouch. It is a shame to see a company who used to make nice USA made tools, shift over seas.

Sure is. Unfortunately that was the necessary steps for them to stay in business I guess.

 

[winlinmac]

Lately, I've been seeing Mac Tools as Harbor Freight's Tool Truck I don't know why, lol

 

[Rosso]

I've only bought around 4 items from Mac, 3 are things from the USA re branded as Mac (Lisle tools), one is Mac made in China.

I don't see the point in buying any other Mac stuff, it's re branded china stuff with a massive mark up.