Made in u.s.a.

[anndel]

I don't know about any one else but I go out of my way to find Made in U.S.A. tools, materials, etc. I also end up paying sometimes 5 times more than the Chinese junk that's flooding the market.

If not made in U.S.A., I'll accept made in: Japan, Australia, new Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, not in any particular order but USA is my number one priority.

Anyone else does this or am I wasting time and money?

Aloha from Hawaii, Del

 

[Ponchoguy]

I don't know about any one else but I go out of my way to find Made in U.S.A. tools, materials, etc. I also end up paying sometimes 5 times more than the Chinese junk that's flooding the market.

If not made in U.S.A., I'll accept made in: Japan, Australia, new Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, not in any particular order but USA is my number one priority.

Anyone else does this or am I wasting time and money?

Aloha from Hawaii, Del

USA first for me, followed by Canada tied with Europe.

 

[Brownsfan]

As much as possible.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Ditto..

You'll love this thread then... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32

 

[anndel]

Ditto..

You'll love this thread then... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Thanks man, I do - it's an excellent thread.

 

[RRmech]

Yard sales and flea markets for older USA made tools.

 

[Exceller8]

I'm about 85% American made now. I used to be 100% but there are simply too many great tool out there that aren't American made. I'm not going to overlook them just because they weren't made here.

 

[Askme42]

Yard sales and flea markets for older USA made tools.

But this does absolutely nothing to support American jobs.

 

[theoldwizard1]

As much as REASONABLE ! I'm not going to pay 500% more for the same quality !!

 

[TOOL FANATIK]

USA, Germany, France, Japan for hand tools.

Sent from my 0PCV1 using Tapatalk

 

[Davefr]

But this does absolutely nothing to support American jobs.

Oh yes it does when you think about it.

If X dollars worth of tool purchases go to a G-sale seller vs. Chinese tool manufacturer, that money makes it's round thruout our local economy supporting jobs.

 

[BMack37]

....

 

[Askme42]

Oh yes it does when you think about it.

If X dollars worth of tool purchases go to a G-sale seller vs. Chinese tool manufacturer, that money makes it's round thruout our local economy supporting jobs.

No it doesn't. You only have control over where you spend your money. You have no idea how the other person is going to spend the money.

 

[Davefr]

No it doesn't. You only have control over where you spend your money. You have no idea how the other person is going to spend the money.

Yes, we all know most G-sale sellers put their proceeds in a mattress never to be circulated again.

Hint: Money that stays in the US is better then money that goes to China regardless of how it's spent locally. Economics 101.

 

[rlitman]

No it doesn't. You only have control over where you spend your money. You have no idea how the other person is going to spend the money.

That's not the whole story.
The people who bought the tools new in the first place, knew that American made tools held their value for resale better. If not, perhaps they would not have purchased them to begin with.

 

[toddoky]

No it doesn't. You only have control over where you spend your money. You have no idea how the other person is going to spend the money.

A used tool purchase represents dollars not sent to China to invest in their military build up, or to be sent right back here and loaned to our government at a high interest rate. Are you proposing that buying more Chinese goods is better for our quality of life and national security?

 

[JonDick13926]

I buy USA made stuff when I can. And when I absolutely cannot find a USA made version of something, I see if I can find a European version that I can afford. Otherwise I guess I just buy what's available, but only after checking to make sure that other people are satisfied with whatever it is.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

You can save some $$$ if you buy American tools used at the garage sales and flea markets. You can't always get EXACTLY what you need, WHEN you need it, but if you keep on them you can amass a HUGE collection of good quality USA tools for a fraction of even new Chi-Com junk.

 

[thegroundpounder99]

My first choice and preference is USA made tools. It does cost more but I believe the quality 9 times out of 10 is worth it, so is showing the appreciation for the companies that do it the "hard way" as we know the disadvantages and higher costs of doing business here. There's lots of great tools made other places and by no means is all my stuff USA, but I try to buy as much USA as I can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[iScream]

Some of you guys are delusional if you think that $10 you spend at a yard sale goes anywhere other than straight to Walmart to buy Chinese made ****. If that weren't true Sears would still be thriving.

 

[davidw]

Some of you guys are delusional if you think that $10 you spend at a yard sale goes anywhere other than straight to Walmart to buy Chinese made ****. If that weren't true Sears would still be thriving.

That's true, but at least Walmart hires US workers.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Negen]

It is getting harder and harder to find quality made in usa tools. But when when I can find good tools made in usa I buy them right quick.

 

[Davefr]

Some of you guys are delusional if you think that $10 you spend at a yard sale goes anywhere other than straight to Walmart to buy Chinese made ****. If that weren't true Sears would still be thriving.

Last time I had G-sale proceeds I used them to "help":
- Pay my mortgage
- Pay my taxes
- Buy gasoline
- Make car payment
- Buy groceries
- Put a little in the bank
- Pay insurance
- Buy a six pack of microbrew and a pizza

But I guess I'm an oddball since I didn't run down to WalMart and buy Chinese tools after selling my US tools.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Oh, boy. We haven't had one of these discussions for at least a week or two.

 

[iScream]

That's true, but at least Walmart hires US workers.

And Harbor Freight is full of Chinese people? Not the couple stores that I've been in. All I saw were young people who were obviously American.

I'm not arguing for buying at HF. I have a couple tool carts from there and a workbench but not very much else.

But even the Chinese made tools are unloaded from the ship by Americans, transported around the country by Americans, shipped from warehouses by Americans and rung up at the cash register by Americans.

 

[BK13]

Depends on the tool. I have maybe three or four sets of SO sockets, a couple of sets of SK sockets, and am working on finishing a set of Wright sockets. That being said, I have a serious hankering for a couple of sets of KoKen (Japan) sockets, a couple of sets of Hazet (Germany) sockets and wrenches, some Proto rebrand Facom ratchets (Italy, Spain or France). I still want to get more Snap On tools, more SK, and a ton more Wright...

 

[BK13]

Forgot, I also want to pick up a mix of Craftsman, Armstron, Matco and Gearwrench pinless swivel impact sockets, all USA...

 

[Askme42]

A used tool purchase represents dollars not sent to China to invest in their military build up, or to be sent right back here and loaned to our government at a high interest rate. Are you proposing that buying more Chinese goods is better for our quality of life and national security?

Chances are that garage seller is going to wal mart to buy a bunch of Chinese stuff possibly not.

Buying a new USA product is immediately sent back to USA workers.


People aren't willing to spend the percentage of their income that they once were on tools. It's why craftsman had to go over seas I understand that but don't act like you're doing some awesome thing by buying a 30 years old American made tool.

 

[uscfan]

Kinda funny at garage sale or whatever i always go after USA made other than Snap on. Some reason snap on goes for crazy amounts most of the time.

But when i buy new tools is very unlikely i will buy american. I just buy whatever has good reviews. I will pay more for a tool that has good reviews.

Forgot, I also want to pick up a mix of Craftsman, Armstron, Matco and Gearwrench pinless swivel impact sockets, all USA...

Yep waiting on a deal on these in 3/8 metric! Not because they are USA but seem to be the best made for the money!

 

[Cato]

I also end up paying sometimes 5 times more than the Chinese junk that's flooding the market.

Today, most of the stuff coming out of China isn't junk.

Rather, it's inexpensive and gets the job done.

I think there's a lot of value in that fact.

I prefer American made tools because I love Americana and I'm a low level collector. But if value comes anywhere in the equation, American tools are WAY over priced.

I always like Sears Craftsman because when on sale, their American tools are a fair price.

But I'd hate to be a 25yo new mechanic with 25K in debt to Snap On, making just over minimum wage.

 

[bczygan]

I'm about 85% American made now. I used to be 100% but there are simply too many great tool out there that aren't American made. I'm not going to overlook them just because they weren't made here.

I'm 100% Made In USA.

Sometime in December 1949. But I didn't make my grand entrance until August 1950.

Bill

 

[stihlntime]

I try to buy USA made tools, but selection is limited. As of late I've been buying European. Why pay Snap On prices when I can buy as good or better tools for a lot less. Stahlwille as an example, not triple chromed and polished but wrenches that are stronger and just as functional. Why paybalmost 20.00 a pop screwdrivers when you can get as good or better for half that. I own all Stihl power equipment all but the pro saws are made here in the USA. Stihl has moved the majority of their mfg to the USA. Over 70 acres in VA Beach, VA they have found the USA worker can surpass their German counter parts in quality audits. They also maintain competitive prices as well, they are non union , take care of employees and if Stihl can do it why can't other companies follow suite.

 

[four.cycle]

Without going out and actually doing a physical inventory, I believe that what I have in the way of "hand tools" is probably 95%+ US-made.
I have a few old Japan-made pieces, because they're well made and serve a particular purpose.
The other night when I was digging through all my wrenches I came across about 4 or 5 oddball pieces from offshore. (India, Taiwan, etc.) I am debating whether I should donate them to St. Vinny's or just toss them into the pile for my scrap metal guy.
Maybe I place too high a value on the skin on the backs of my knuckles.

It's really not that difficult to find decent used stuff on CL, or at pawn shops, or on Ebay (although it seems some Ebay sellers think their stuff is gold-plated.)
Pretty hard to beat a full set of US-made Craftsman -V- 12-pt. deep-wells for $20.
Take CASH with you to the local pawnbroker and stand your ground when it comes to dickering on the price.
Easy peasy!

Friends don't let friends use Chinese wrenches.

 

[Titanium Steel]

But this does absolutely nothing to support American jobs.

THANK YOU! No offense to any vintage collectors/users, but if a product was made decades or years ago, this does NOTHING to support modern American manufacturing jobs. Naturally only buying modern USA made items/tools will truly help our economy.

Personally, I make this a point to buy made in America products first and foremost as I am a American. Unfortunately, some products just aren't domestically made or even assembled anymore. However, if this isn't USA made, I'll take Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan or even Taiwan over China any day. As this comes to working conditions, average wages, child labor laws and how the country treats their people.


Now I don't just buy USA made tools and call this good, but rather ANY time I buy any product. Our unemployment rate is WAY too high and if I can help a hard working American keep their job, I'll do that any day.

Personally this matters to me and I am fine with being in the minority with this. What others do with their own money is their business, so I am not going to tell others what they should or shouldn't do. There are those that take a similar stance, but use this to spread xenophobia or aren't actually committed to buying American. That isn't me, but again, not my place to tell others what can and can't do.

This isn't about race, politics or even all the red tape surrounding this issue. Truly this comes down to keeping American people working and have a strong economy.

 

[Fretters]

Buying a new USA product is immediately sent back to USA workers.

Possibly not. With the amount of foreign investment in America, paying money for an American brand doesn't necessarily mean the money is staying in local circulation. End of the day, as much as we'd all like to look after our own, without foreign investment, a lot of companies would be in dire shape.

 

[buffalobill]

german companies should be what other companies strive for, the grocery store Aldi's also pays excellent wages to attract and retain workers. I have thought about going to one of their hiring expo's, more than once, just to see how it would be. 25 an hour for a management trainee is pretty good!

Good luck with new USA tools, the once that are around are good tools, but not usually stocked at most stores. if I needed something TODAY, I wouldn't hesitate to go to Home Dopes or Lowes. they have pretty good selections, at a pretty decent price, with a good warranty. if I was going to use the tool frequently, I would shop for a higher quality one, and keep the cheaper one for beating on.

 

[L.Cheapo]

In our home, EVERYTHING purchased is looked for as Made in USA first. If there is no USA made item (rare, if you look hard enough), Canada is next, then western Europe, Australia, etc. Nothing from the Asian continent, except possibly Japan. Cars, tires, shoes, food, even the socks and suits I recently bought--all made in USA. Often times, it doesn't cost much more, or more at all.

On a side note, this sometimes frustrates my wife. I totally pissed off a Bed Bath and Beyond employee while we were shopping for new cookware. He was pushing some made in China junk pretty hard, and I told him I was only interesting in buying a set made in USA. "But this (expensive) set was designed in GERMANY!" "Yes, but its still made in China. Thank you but no thank you, good day."

 

[Don53]

THANK YOU! No offense to any vintage collectors/users, but if a product was made decades or years ago, this does NOTHING to support modern American manufacturing jobs. Naturally only buying modern USA made items/tools will truly help.

As others have noted, that's not true. Econ 101. Demand for used stuff leads to a lower supply of used stuff, which leads to a higher demand for new stuff, which of course leads to a higher supply of new stuff.

How many of us have hunted for a good deal on a used tool.... only to give up and just by a new one? Those guys buying up the used stuff indirectly create opportunity for manufacturers to replenish the overall supply required to meet the market's demand.

So, does buying new help more? Certainly. But buying used US made tools positively impacts the overall market (for US made tools).

 

[four.cycle]

No offense to any vintage collectors/users, but if a product was made decades or years ago, this does NOTHING to support modern American manufacturing jobs.

No offense taken here, and my post above in no way has anything to do with American jobs or any of that jazz.

had to go dig this message out of my "Ebay" account:

I’ve purchased TWO 3/4” drive sets for a buddy of mine during the last 4 years. first one was a cheapie Chinese set – got it for $20 off Craigslist. buddy tried to remove a lug nut on a motorhome and the socket split in two places and tossed him on his *** when it popped – I was standing right behind him. He never used that set again- I think they use if for a door-stop down at the shop now."

that was the clincher.

prior to that, we sold Wilmar, Globemaster, Oxwall, and Buffalo (among others) in our stores for decades. warranty return rates were astronomical.
the stuff was garbage, but that's what cheap-*** DIY people wanted, so we stocked it.
I've used it when nothing else was available, and more often than not injured myself or the tool failed miserably.

again - has nothing to do with American jobs, manufacturing, Harbor Freight, Walmart, xenophobia, or strawberry waffles.

give me a tried-and-true used US-made 40-year-old socket or combination wrench that I know has already been put to the test. I don't need new and shiny. I need a piece that I can rely on.

 

[Ponchoguy]

THANK YOU! No offense to any vintage collectors/users, but if a product was made decades or years ago, this does NOTHING to support modern American manufacturing jobs. Naturally only buying modern USA made items/tools will truly help our economy.

Personally, I make this a point to buy made in America products first and foremost as I am a American. Unfortunately, some products just aren't domestically made or even assembled anymore. However, if this isn't USA made, I'll take Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan or even Taiwan over China any day. As this comes to working conditions, average wages, child labor laws and how the country treats their people.


Now I don't just buy USA made tools and call this good, but rather ANY time I buy any product. Our unemployment rate is WAY too high and if I can help a hard working American keep their job, I'll do that any day.

Personally this matters to me and I am fine with being in the minority with this. What others do with their own money is their business, so I am not going to tell others what they should or shouldn't do. There are those that take a similar stance, but use this to spread xenophobia or aren't actually committed to buying American. That isn't me, but again, not my place to tell others what can and can't do.

This isn't about race, politics or even all the red tape surrounding this issue. Truly this comes down to keeping American people working and have a strong economy.

However, if you buy that garage salers used tools:

1) You are putting money in his pocket.
2) He spends that in the local economy (gas, food, movies, etc).
3) This is better than shipping that "profit" off to a foreign country.
4) That same person doesn't have to ask for a gov't handout perhaps because he has the extra cash to make ends meet.
5) You and I pay for #4, so I'd rather see someone be a productive member of society than mooching off my tax dollars.
6) You also save energy in a way because the fuel/labor and everything else has been expended already to make that item. I've taken stuff off the curb, flipped it on Ebay/Craig's List and kept it out of the landfill and put money in my pocket.

It may not save a manufacturing job per se, but it will put some money in the economy. That's gotta count for something.