Had no idea they sold hand tools. Any idea who makes these? COO?
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/2924
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/126/2924
McMaster-Carr hand tools
- Thread starter noahwins
- Start date
NoahG
Well-known member
You'll get a mix depending on who can supply what, but ratchets are usually Proto. They usually stock USA made tools unless there is no other option.
You can call them if there is a specific item you’re interested in. They will look up the brand and COO. Generally they will sell higher quality items, but their customers are industrial customers. They want something that works day in and day out in a working environment. Junk don’t cut it and flashy brands mean nothing.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Why don't they specify? I can't imagine the dimensions are all the same. Nice SO screwsticks, tho
bmwrd0
Well-known member
Last few times I ordered from McMaster I got Williams USA and Armstrong. No complaints.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
The ratchets look like they are from a number of USA made brands like Proto and Williams. Unless they have their own house brand for these tools, it's odd of them not to include any brand names on the electronic catalog.
Think broader. They carry millions of items in their catalog, each categorized by specs and features. Their suppliers can change, but the specs for a unique product in their catalog are constant.
Antique Engine
Well-known member
I ordered my JIS screwdrivers from them. They are Vessel brand. Most other stuff I have gotten has been Proto.
bwringer
Well-known member
You get what you get. But sometimes you can tell from the ****** drawing (WHY on earth won't they use photos?) what brand it is, like the handle pattern on the Vessel JIS screwdrivers I got a while back.
If that bugs you, sometimes you can ask and they'll be able to tell you.
Their "regular person" pricing tends to be very high (industrial buyers get much better pricing, obvs), but it'll be in stock and in your hands quickly at a rock-bottom (but unknown until after it's shipped) shipping cost.
On some items like various goops, fluids, adhesives, and other chemicals where the brand is crucial, they reveal this info. Sometimes you have to dig into the MSDS to figure it out. It can get maddening.
I get that they're mostly just meeting a spec for industrial buyers, but brand for many items (not just tools and chemicals) does make a big difference. It would also be great if they revealed COO as well. A lot of industrial buyers would be very interested in this, although some still wouldn't care.
McMaster does what they do in the way they do it. If you don't like it, there are lots of other suppliers.
If that bugs you, sometimes you can ask and they'll be able to tell you.
Their "regular person" pricing tends to be very high (industrial buyers get much better pricing, obvs), but it'll be in stock and in your hands quickly at a rock-bottom (but unknown until after it's shipped) shipping cost.
On some items like various goops, fluids, adhesives, and other chemicals where the brand is crucial, they reveal this info. Sometimes you have to dig into the MSDS to figure it out. It can get maddening.
I get that they're mostly just meeting a spec for industrial buyers, but brand for many items (not just tools and chemicals) does make a big difference. It would also be great if they revealed COO as well. A lot of industrial buyers would be very interested in this, although some still wouldn't care.
McMaster does what they do in the way they do it. If you don't like it, there are lots of other suppliers.
PMD1966
Well-known member
I have never had a problem with anything I have purchased from McMaster-Carr.
bob15
Well-known member
They still have the best industrial/tool/hardware web catalog out there, bar none.
Adding COO would be a huge PIA for the amount of items they sell, especially when vendors will change COO on their own accord. Asking them for COO is still the best way for sure.
Everything I've ordered is quality name-brand products. But they list items in the most generic terms possible, "wrench", "socket", "drill bit", "collet".
I think this may be at least partly that it gives them a great deal of leverage over their supply sources, not being beholden to carry a particular brand, they can switch at a moments notice.
I think this may be at least partly that it gives them a great deal of leverage over their supply sources, not being beholden to carry a particular brand, they can switch at a moments notice.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
McMaster sells a "spec", not a particular brand of product. So their "spec" in this case might be a 3/8 Fine-Tooth Quick Release Ratchet that's 8" long.
But they are an industrial supplier, so they do tend to choose suppliers and products that are high quality.
It's also the same reason why they don't have photos of their products - just drawings. Drawings are more useful for industrial buyers, especially when they're dimensioned.
toddmorr
Well-known member
i like doing business with them, always good quality stuff, fair shipping costs, the packaging is very thorough. And their website is really educational, not just informative.
pretty clever to not get into brands on the website. Bet that leads to some interesting negotiations with their suppliers.
pretty clever to not get into brands on the website. Bet that leads to some interesting negotiations with their suppliers.
scubadoober
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The untold secret about Mcmaster Carr is items don't necessarily ship from them. They have partnerships with Fastenal and other industrial suppliers. These "suppliers" have ups ticket printers that print Mcmaster return labels. The reason they can't always tell you what you are going to get is because it is out of their hands. Workers are picky, but purchasing agents aren't. You need whatsit to finish your job? Hang on I will get it here tomorrow without paying next day freight from Mcmaster Carr......done. Next!
Odd-job
Well-known member
Interesting. Does this apply to any particular items or geography? Just curious as being on NorCal have always received stuff from their LA warehouse. I have ordered mostly bolts, round stock, bits, etc. maybe it’s because of my proximity and logistics?
That may be true, but I've been ordering from them for many years and everything comes from the Atlanta warehouse or sometimes the Chicago warehouse. And they specify to a 3 hour window when it will arrive at my address, so I don't think they rely on third party suppliers. In all that time they've never made a mistake fulfilling an order, so that rules out Fastenal.
I order $1500+ a month from McMaster.
They have their own algorithm. I don't know what it is, but frequently items will ship from a local warehouse if they have it. If not, they will ship out of another warehouse in the country. But I can imagine there might be items that are out of stock or not regularly stocked and that's where the drop shipping comes in from a partner or supplier. Their supply chain and inventory is probably complicated on their end, but they seem to manage it with the intent to deliver the product to the customer as quickly as possible. I don't think it's ever taken longer than 4 days to get something from them. And from the local warehouse, it's been dropped onto my doorstep in as little as 5 hours.
GirchyGirchy
Well-known member
If you know what you need, and they don't specify (they do for some things - measurement tools, multimeters, power tools), then buy them elsewhere. McMaster is for people who want good stuff purchased easily and don't mind what brand.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
At my last employer, everything we ordered from McMaster almost always showed up the next morning. There were a few instances where items showed up a few days later - presumably these were drop shipped direct, but it was pretty rare.
Also a fun-fact about McMaster-Carr - they have some of the best and most helpful customer service people around. If you need a particular item that's not on their catalog, you can put a request in, and their people will go to the end of the world to find it. We needed a 0-40 PSI (or something like that) pressure gauge with a 1/8" BSPT/R connection. We couldn't find one anywhere - we put a request into McMaster and they were able to source one.
Also a fun-fact about McMaster-Carr - they have some of the best and most helpful customer service people around. If you need a particular item that's not on their catalog, you can put a request in, and their people will go to the end of the world to find it. We needed a 0-40 PSI (or something like that) pressure gauge with a 1/8" BSPT/R connection. We couldn't find one anywhere - we put a request into McMaster and they were able to source one.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I highly doubt that a Williams 6" 3/8" ratchet and a SK 6" 3/8" ratchet have "constant" specs/dimensions in any fashion besides drive size.
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Farmall450
Well-known member
I guess people buying with their work's money don't care, but you'd think they'd want some cohesion in their tools over the years.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
McMaster sorts components by dimensions/specs that matter for the application. If a certain customer demands more specific information, they can contact McMaster and they will provide more detailed information.
Industrial buyers are tool users are not tool polishers. They don't care what brand is stamped on the tool or what it looks like. They use whatever tool does the job acceptably regardless of brand. At my old place, every operator's and mechanic's tool box was filled with different brands and styles of tool. Most of the tools aren't even chromed, and just have a black oxide finish.I guess people buying with their work's money don't care, but you'd think they'd want some cohesion in their tools over the years.
McMaster understands this.
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In this particular category of tool (ratchet wrench), many of the properties are single option only. Only the drive size, head shape, finish and turns required vary between the options.
Wrench Type - standard
Wrench Style - square
Driver size - 3/8"
Overall length - 7"
Ratcheting or non-ratcheting - ratcheting
Turns required to ratchet - 4.5 degrees
Head style - standard
Head shape - round
Material - steel
Finish - Chrome plated
Power source - Farmall
For use with - screws and nuts
REACH and RoHS compliant categories
But there are over a dozen other types of wrenches, each with slightly different properties, which may be important to a buyer. Perhaps the grip composition being plastic, or composite would be an issue? On any one of them you can click the product number and then click the product detail to get all the information. I haven't needed this level of detail for a wrench, but certain specialty hardware it's critical to filter and pull up the detail. I could care less about brand and COO, I just need to know if it's applicable for my needs.
aczr2k
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Certain odd stock items maybe ship from the manufacturer but in my 20+ years of ordering my stuff has always came from Chicago.
scubadoober
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Your location, items ordered, timing, and repetition will influence this. I wasn't referring to a drop ship from the manufacturer, or infer that Mcmaster doesn't keep plenty of inventory. I am sure their fill rate is 95%+. Your lack of confidence in Fastenal has no bearing on reality. To say all your orders have shipped from warehouse A or B only means that is what the return address is on your package. Given your supreme confidence in Mcmaster, you don't think they can figure out shipping labels? I was simply trying to illustrate why their tool descriptions, and shipping can be vague (not the only reason of course).
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Buying from McMaster-Carr is like buying a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get.
Not to belabor the point, but what you're saying doesn't match with my experience. Every online order states clearly location of product (example; "ships from our Chicago warehouse"). Also states package delivery day and approx time. Every box I receive is the same and packed the same, and packing slip again the same. I have not very often received a partial shipment, and in those few cases it is clearly stated why and from what warehouse.
You're saying that a third party is filling orders for McMaster and using UPS labels with a bogus return address, for some unknown reason. If the order originated at a different shipping point, wouldn't they want to document that in some way? Wouldn't a third party shipper use different boxes, or different packing material or different carrier?
I get lots of stuff from them; fasteners, bearings, tooling, raw materials, lubricants, electricals, and the list goes on. But they all come in one shipment, sometimes multiple boxes for different size things, but arriving the same time.
You'll have to provide more proof than just "they figured out the shipping label thing".
scubadoober
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I will not continue the derail. Just continue to order from them. My apologies to the OP.
bob15
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Just curious, you have proof of this or know this how (work for them?)? Or are you just thinking this?
scubadoober
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I am not here to divulge anything, or paint it in a negative light. Quite the opposite, you order from Mcmaster and it shows up. Their customer service will get it to you. Do you care what warehouse it came from? Believe it or not.
On some items they will resist sending you specs. I have built up prototypes with items from them. When going to production my company wanted to order directly from the manufacture. It took some time to get McMaster to give up the manufacture.
My company was going from ordering 100s to 10,000s of the items.
My company was going from ordering 100s to 10,000s of the items.
danielbuck
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Same here, Williams Supercombo. I've never received junk from them. Generally I don't purchase tools from them though, because I want to know what brand or model it is.
But any type of hardware, tooling bits and anything else, I don't care the brand so long as it's good quality. And it always is.
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I know you're just sharing an instance where they were reluctant. I do understand why they did it. I've never had a problem asking for the brand or COO when it was important to me. But if someone already ordered an item in bulk and afterward is asking for the supplier info without raising any quality issues or other concerns that would justify the request, it may seem apparent to them that the customer might be sidestepping them to go straight to their source. How could anyone blame them for this? (well I'm sure someone would, but come on...)
highland512
Well-known member
I ordered a 2-3/4 combo wrench and 3/4 drive 2-3/4 socket 2 weeks ago from them.
The wrench was a Wright and the socket was a PROTO.
The wrench was a Wright and the socket was a PROTO.
danielbuck
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You know you're going to get a quality item. I've dealt with them for 30 yrs and never been disappointed with quality. Probably 99% of their sales is industrial, commercial, businesses, and not individuals. As said, their primary customer doesn't care about brands, they want quality. McMaster also goes out of their way to sell American produced items, because they sell to American manufacturers.
If something gets damaged in shipping, just call and they'll send you a new one now with no questions. Even if it's a 50 cent item
I've never received anything from McMaster that wasn't shipped directly from them. I've used them many hundreds of times for work. Occasionally I'll have an order come from both Atlanta and Chicago instead of just Atlanta, but it's from them.