Made in the USA

[dhaas66]

I was searching for a cordless drill for home use. Nothing fancy. 12v for use around the house. I also have not been very good in the past about buying US made tools or goods. With our economy over the last several years I have been trying to be mindful to give back to our US workers.

I also have just started crossfit. There is a supplier that is based in OH. They will only make and sell good from US made companies. Very good quality and higher price. But I am willing to shell out the bucks to give back.

I went to HD yesterday after a trip to Lowes looking for a drill. I looked at hand tools. Nothing and I mean nothing except for Channel lock were made in the USA. They may have been a US company but all but them were made elsewhere.

Then onto the cordless. I looked a Ryobi. Cheap. Then saw Makita. Nice. Then got to the Ridgid and the Milwalkee. All the cordless drills were made in China. I opted for a Ridgid but I was shocked.

Are others seeing this trend as well.

Thanks.

 

[ElectroLight]

Where ya been? Have you heard, even Craftsman is headed to China!

 

[dankicksass]

Snap-On 14v and over is made in USA.

 

[dhaas66]

Aside from assaulting a Snap-On truck... How do you buy if you are not in the industry...?

 

[SMKS]

Snap-On 14v and over is made in USA.

Aren't they only "assembled in the USA"?

 

[Chadwilliam1]

OP are you referring to Rogue fitness?

 

[strutaeng]

Aside from assaulting a Snap-On truck... How do you buy if you are not in the industry...?

I think that it is our own fault: this is the effect of consumism. We want something and we want NOW! and we want CHEAP! China delivers my friends - it is called CAPITALISM.

I was in the boat as you (and still are). My solution was not buying altogether! I did some deep thinking and realized that I "could" do with my current corded (not cool) drills at hand. Is is convinient - not so much, but the only time use one is IN OR AROUND my house, so I keep an extention cord handy....

Think about it: my corded never has batteries to replace...Of course when you need another battery, you buy another drill.... CONSUMISM

Of course, none of this applies to the folks in the trades that have no option but cordless

...assault the Snap-On truck

 

[montanafordman]

For hand tools? Here ya go. Made in USA and not Snap-on expensive either.

I own some of my grandfathers tools which are almost 50 years old and I can still get rebuild kits for the ratchets. Good stuff - not a lot of fancy gimmicky "innovation" just simple, rugged and works.

 

[kamesama980]

I think we pretty well bring it on ourselves. Us workers have fed and state minimum wages higher than china companies pay for manufacturing line work. on top of that unions, medical etc. so when the US assembly line worker is making $15/hr and the chinese worker is making $.50/tool the US made tools cost more (hurting sales) with next to no profit for the company vs the chinese tool making 50% profit and pricing just low enough to get people to buy it.

It's hard to buy just the battery when it costs as much as the new drill that comes with a battery and charger.

 

[montanafordman]

I think we pretty well bring it on ourselves. Us workers have fed and state minimum wages higher than china companies pay for manufacturing line work. on top of that unions, medical etc. so when the US assembly line worker is making $15/hr and the chinese worker is making $.50/tool the US made tools cost more (hurting sales) with next to no profit for the company vs the chinese tool making 50% profit and pricing just low enough to get people to buy it.

It's hard to buy just the battery when it costs as much as the new drill that comes with a battery and charger.

I think its a pretty complex issue. You have idiots in Washington that are writing laws and regulations non stop that they really know nothing about, for industries, businesses and locales that they don't understand in order to satisfy their urge for social activism or the nearest lobbyiest willing to cut them a campaign check. These regulations and rules often times do little to solve problems they sought out to fix but instead only cost enormous amounts of money and create new ones. We have the highest corporate tax rate in the world and many people view corporations and large business as the enemy rather than sitting down with them and working with them (or for them).

In addition to government and trade issues we have a bonafide entitlement society. We demand a standard of living that is far above what we need, but we demand constant entertainment with the latest gadgets, goods, etc that change and go out of style or become obsolete within weeks and months, not years. The rest of the worlds kids are either doing chores and learning work ethic or doing homework while our kids are playing xbox. we're not satisfied working in the field or working 10 hour days in a factory. Many americans would go on welfare before they answer the help wanted sign doing hard unskilled work for a couple dollars over minimum wage which would provide a lifestyle many in the rest of the world would only dream of. OK end rant - jeez I"m only in my 30s! Much to young to sound like this! Ya damn lazy entitlement whippersnappers!

 

[dankicksass]

Aren't they only "assembled in the USA"?

Drill is made here, battery in Japan. Best I can do.

For whomever thought SO wasn't available for home delivery, snapon.com has free shipping on most orders but charges tax in all states.

 

[SMKS]

Drill is made here, battery in Japan. Best I can do.

For whomever thought SO wasn't available for home delivery, snapon.com has free shipping on most orders but charges tax in all states.

I suspect if you look at it they'll say "assembled in the USA" not "Made in USA."

I'm sure assembled in the US is the best you can do, though. I've personally given up trying to find first world power tools in my budget.

 

[dhaas66]

Yes Rogue Fitness

 

[jjjrmx5]

I suspect if you look at it they'll say "assembled in the USA" not "Made in USA."

I'm sure assembled in the US is the best you can do, though. I've personally given up trying to find first world power tools in my budget. That's one area where I just have to buy Chinese.

Bosch.

I still find NOS Made in Switzerland power tools and cordless drills with Malaysian batteries all the time at stores.
Battery chargers for them are all Chinese COO though.

Talk about a sourcing jumble.

 

[buco]

I think we pretty well bring it on ourselves. Us workers have fed and state minimum wages higher than china companies pay for manufacturing line work. on top of that unions, medical etc. so when the US assembly line worker is making $15/hr and the chinese worker is making $.50/tool the US made tools cost more (hurting sales) with next to no profit for the company vs the chinese tool making 50% profit and pricing just low enough to get people to buy it.

It's hard to buy just the battery when it costs as much as the new drill that comes with a battery and charger.

Respectfully, I disagree. What about places like Germany and Sweden that have more people in unions and pay more? Their economy's are on top, and more importantly the future is much brighter for them.

Problem is corporate greed. Next people will be saying that bank tellers make too much and that's the problem with the banking industry.

 

[Rezarf]

Aside from assaulting a Snap-On truck... How do you buy if you are not in the industry...?

Call any major car dealership, ask when the snapon truck comes by and wait there. I have had great luck this way, I can handle and check stuff out before committing to buy it. Then get the drivers card and you are in business.

 

[kamesama980]

I think its a pretty complex issue. You have idiots in Washington that are writing laws and regulations non stop that they really know nothing about, for industries, businesses and locales that they don't understand in order to satisfy their urge for social activism or the nearest lobbyiest willing to cut them a campaign check. These regulations and rules often times do little to solve problems they sought out to fix but instead only cost enormous amounts of money and create new ones. We have the highest corporate tax rate in the world and many people view corporations and large business as the enemy rather than sitting down with them and working with them (or for them).

In addition to government and trade issues we have a bonafide entitlement society. We demand a standard of living that is far above what we need, but we demand constant entertainment with the latest gadgets, goods, etc that change and go out of style or become obsolete within weeks and months, not years. The rest of the worlds kids are either doing chores and learning work ethic or doing homework while our kids are playing xbox. we're not satisfied working in the field or working 10 hour days in a factory. Many americans would go on welfare before they answer the help wanted sign doing hard unskilled work for a couple dollars over minimum wage which would provide a lifestyle many in the rest of the world would only dream of. OK end rant - jeez I"m only in my 30s! Much to young to sound like this! Ya damn lazy entitlement whippersnappers!

I don't disagree with that. It's a vicious circle.

Respectfully, I disagree. What about places like Germany and Sweden that have more people in unions and pay more? Their economy's are on top, and more importantly the future is much brighter for them.

Problem is corporate greed. Next people will be saying that bank tellers make too much and that's the problem with the banking industry.

I'll accept that as an addition but not a substitution. While the wages of the average joe line worker aren't the sole cause it's definitley a significant contributor. I wholeheartedly agree that mid and upper management and especially corperate salaries are indeed insane in the USA. 400:1 for the CEO vs the lower levels where internationally 10:1 is a high ratio (or so I've read and no I don't have the source, sorry). Not to mention the lack of performance criteria for that income in many cases (example: big 3 auto makers: CEOs making millions, companies losing many millions)

 

[Higgins]

Tried that, and the local SO dealer wasn't interested in talking to me, as I only purchase stuff once or twice a year.

I have a friend up in WI who has a SO contact and I order stuff thru him. Ya, it's a PITA, but it give me a reason to take the '79 out and go for a nice long ride, along with dinner!!!! As for ordering direct, ya I can, but it's cheaper this route!

AL

 

[Zrexxer]

Some of the Metabo products are still made in Germany. Metabo is a damn fine tool, and if you just want something that isn't made in China or Malaysia they're one of the few choices.

 

[Monte]

buy a cordless drill made in Germany ....Metabo, Festool, Kress....

 

[gte718p]

really this thread went down hill fast.

 

[CWP1616L]

Assembled in USA is still better than made in China. At least somebody here has a job putting them together...

-

 

[bry@n]

Assembled in USA is still better than made in China. At least somebody here has a job putting them together...

-

I agree. Is the 18volt the same?

 

[Gregg33]

Almost all tools I buy are made in the USA or even Canada. However with cordless tools there isn't really any alternative to Chicom. SO was way above my price range (at least for this type of tool) and their offerings of cordless tools are minimal compared to brands like DeWalt, Makita, Hilti etc. (ie. SO only has tools for mechanics, not construction) I went with a Makita, I like the color lol and I've had good luck with Makita in the past. Basically I'd say your SOL if you want a domestically made cordless tool.

 

[brtsvg]

Anything with an electric motor is now made in China and has been for next to 10 years now - they have a near-monopoly on the rare-earth elements that make up the magnets in the motor.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Call any major car dealership, ask when the snapon truck comes by and wait there. I have had great luck this way, I can handle and check stuff out before committing to buy it. Then get the drivers card and you are in business.

Or call Snap-On customer service and ask them for the name and phone number of a local dealer. You'll probably have to meet him somewhere on his regular route, but that way you can pick a time and place that's most convenient for you.

Tried that, and the local SO dealer wasn't interested in talking to me, as I only purchase stuff once or twice a year.

Call Snap-On customer service and complain. They really don't like it when their dealers don't provide good service, even to one-time or occasional buyers. Ask for a different dealer. Keep doing that until you find one who understands the meaning of customer service.

 

[Steinmetz]

For hand tools? Here ya go. Made in USA and not Snap-on expensive either.

I own some of my grandfathers tools which are almost 50 years old and I can still get rebuild kits for the ratchets. Good stuff - not a lot of fancy gimmicky "innovation" just simple, rugged and works.

I do wish that SK would put the knurling back onto their sockets. Tacoma Narrows is losing their tower, I see.