Menards has more U.S. tools than Sears!

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

On my way home from work I stopped by Menards, they have Allen, Stanley, Channellock, Eklind and their store brand MasterForce, and a few more, i didn't take notes. But the big shock was their made in U.S.A. MasterForce line, screwdrivers, nut drivers, wrenches, even sockets ratchets. They don't have the tool section that a normal Sears has as far as sq. ft., but I'd bet they do have a higher % of American made tools, and they are all backed by lifetime replacement. Just an observation, just wondering if anyone else had checked them out. I've seen lots of guys on here that like their boxes, just wondering if anybody has been buying their hand tools.

 

[4xdog]

Menards is a great store, and it will be great to have the first one open in our immediate area -- nearest is a hundred miles away now. My brother and I have bought many things there that we've been very happy with.

They have a pretty strong commitment to US production. Every summer around the 4th they put out their made-in-USA circular. Everything in the flyer is US-made, and the little town or city where each is made is part of the descriptions. I keep that flyer for months it delights me so.

And to see made-in-China Craftsman ratchet wrenches in Sears just breaks my heart. Like the death of an old friend.

Don

 

[allinon72]

This is one of the many reasons why Menards is my favorite big box store.

 

[NHBandit]

I just wish we had one I could drive to without having to pack a suitcase.. Closest one to me is 217 miles away.

 

[cmandp]

After reading about Menards on here I wish they would migrate down here. I would have certainly buy some of their Masterforce tools, possibly a toolbox (In green no less) when I was looking for one.

 

[Super Sport]

I like Menards, it's my favorite big box hardware store. But let's be honest, most of the Masterforce brand is imported outside of screwdrivers and sockets/ratchets. The USA stuff hanging on the shelves looks like it's been there for years. The ratchets and sockets are made my Apex, same as Craftsman was/is. I think their USA stock is soon to be outsourced just the same as everywhere else. It's unfortunate, but I think we'll see in within 2 years.

 

[dirtydogintex]

buy now or forever hold your peace?

 

[neonnblack]

I have to drive 15 hours to the nearest Menards.

 

[Derrickwade]

I love Menards. Great place to kill time. My son loves it because they have a shopping cart with a little car attached to the front that he rides in. I live 15 minutes from there too.

 

[woody 73]

Strange but in a funny way they just built a Menards in my city and I picked up a few Hout drill boxes and sure enough they were made in the USA; so my hat is off to Menards.

 

[signcrafter]

Menards has MANY made in the USA products. The best wood selection out of the box stores, made in the USA plywood. Bought some assembled in the USA flourescent strip lights on sale the other week. You can even pick up pizzas and chips cheaper then grocery stores when they are on sale.

 

[Arne73]

Menards does seem to make a commitment to 'Made in the USA' but they carry plenty of made in China stuff too including their famous green tool boxes of which I am a fan (not for their COO).

 

[kythri]

Menards needs to do a West Coast expansion...

 

[cburnscrx]

I like Menards, it's my favorite big box hardware store. But let's be honest, most of the Masterforce brand is imported outside of screwdrivers and sockets/ratchets. The USA stuff hanging on the shelves looks like it's been there for years. The ratchets and sockets are made my Apex, same as Craftsman was/is. I think their USA stock is soon to be outsourced just the same as everywhere else. It's unfortunate, but I think we'll see in within 2 years.

I understand why you say they'll outsource, but I don't see it happening. Heck they even have special sales ads on "USA days" where tools made in the US are on sale. Pretty cool if you ask me. I've been in Menards dozens of times over the last 10 years, but until recently never noticed the wrenches were made in the USA. I think they need to jump on Craftsman while they are ripe for the picking.

 

[Higgins]

During Contractor days, i.e. free breakfast for the contractors. They had a large poster of what products are made in the USA, and they are proud of it! That said, I'm not sure we are going to see tools move overseas! But I could be wrong, only time will tell!

 

[kythri]

I could be wrong, but I thought the Masterforce stuff being made in the USA was a new thing, and that they were formerly imported?

 

[07travis]

I just got back from my Menards 5 minutes away! Ironically I was just there looking at tools because my local store is in the process of expanding and becoming more of a "SUPER" menards, meaning a lot more tools, many of which are made in the USA and the added the food section too. I don't think I need to go anywhere else now!

 

[BTC]

I've lived in Lansing, Michigan for about 10 years, and within a mile of a Menards the entire time. I had never set foot in the store until the last six months. I'm not sure why other than the facts I grew up down south and we didn't have Menards, and until recently had been living in an apartment. Now that I have a house, I have much more room to put stuff I may never use. Menards top of the line Masterforce toolboxes seem much nicer than anything available at Home Depot or Lowe's, but I'm pretty sure they're made in China.

I've been eyeing this, http://menards.com/main/tools-hardw...asterforce-56-tool-chest/p-1851819-c-9188.htm

That thing would hold a lot of stuff I might never use.

 

[mailpup]

Too bad they don't sell most of their Masterforce brand online. I suppose there is a reason but I can't quite figure it out. No Menards in my half of the country. They could pick up some of the slack Sears has created with made in China Craftsman.

 

[MN Falcon]

I have been buying some of the masterforce tools. I bought my son a set of combo wrenches for Christmas. Unfortunately, they are just re-branded Allen, so Menards is really stuck with what Apex / Bain capital chooses to do with the Allen tools. If the US tools got enough of a following, Menard might get SK to rebrand their sockets and wrenches. I think because of the nature of the store they do not sell online, who is going to mail order 2x4s and plywood. The hand tools are only a small part. I sometimes wonder if a guy like me approached them to do online sales if it would fly?

 

[allinon72]

Here's what gives me hope about Menards...in the past people liked their Masterforce boxes but hated the green color. Then they came out with color options. Hopefully this means that they have a pretty good read on their tool buyers. They are heavily invested in "made in USA" and I think they'll do what they can to retain that in their tool aisles.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Did some time in Wisconsin, and miss Menards! Fleet Farm too!

 

[sk farmer]

anybody remember their old pitch man?

"save big money at mennnaaaarrrrddd'ss"

 

[IMCA38]

anybody remember their old pitch man?

"save big money at mennnaaaarrrrddd'ss"

That would be Ray....


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Szmanda

 

[montanafordman]

anybody remember their old pitch man?

"save big money at mennnaaaarrrrddd'ss"

Oh man... I lived in Grand Forks, ND for 7 years where there was a Menards and whenever I was in there for any length of time the jingles they would play in the store would about drive me nuts! I was certain it was bound to turn ordinary sales clerks into homicidal maniacs with enough exposure!

-Aaron

 

[MN Falcon]

I could be wrong, but I thought the Masterforce stuff being made in the USA was a new thing, and that they were formerly imported?

Actually not all Masterforce tools are USA. Pliers are China, but Menards does carry Channel Lock as well.

Masterforce brand is in itself new for the sockets wrenches and ratchets. Menards sold Allen brand and Tool Shop junk. They just recently decided to have the Allen rebranded as Masterforce for the sockets ratchets and wrenches. Probably a little to do with just plain branding but also likely due to warranty. No questions where you bought a Masterforce wrench but I can buy Allen wrenches and sockets at Mills Fleet Farm as well locally.

 

[bobbar]

Menards needs to expand west...

 

[tdkkart]

Was in my local Menards again this weekend. I continue to be impressed with the quality of their products which have MUCH improved over the last 5-10 years.

I also stopped at the Home Depot just down the road. First thinsg I noticed was a MUCH better selection of parking spots at Home Depot, because the lot was EMPTY. Scads of employees standing around inside too.

 

[Farmall450]

Don't forget their like 78 cent powerade! Or something crazy cheap like that for the good sized bottles.

 

[purplezr2]

Oh man... I lived in Grand Forks, ND for 7 years where there was a Menards and whenever I was in there for any length of time the jingles they would play in the store would about drive me nuts! I was certain it was bound to turn ordinary sales clerks into homicidal maniacs with enough exposure!

-Aaron

Try working there, drive you nuts. I only lasted like 7 months, I did get employee of the month twice though. Place drove me nuts.

 

[Brownsfan]

Hopefully they will buy the craftsman name and return it to its former glory when sears goes away.

 

[lwlobo]

+1

I'd love to see a Menards out here in CA.

Menards needs to expand west...

 

[cburnscrx]

Hopefully they will buy the craftsman name and return it to its former glory when sears goes away.

Yea, I hope that whoever gets Craftsman returns it to it's former glory as well. I don't know if Menards is a large enough entity to take it on, but it'd be worth a shot. I really hope it doesn't turn into junk...

 

[Chadwilliam1]

there is one opening up a mile away from work so 7.5 miles away from my house. we shall see in a few months.

 

[ironmutt]

for what its worth they have a 71.5 by 36 by 1.5 butcher block for $178

 

[sleepjeep]

This past christmas season the Menards in our town was selling a Craftsman branded socket set. I think it was one of the 79 piece sets in a plastic carry case. Our store now has both Allen tools and Masterforce tools on the same hooks. There is one caveat about the tool warranty though at Menards it does state you must have the receipt to return tools. Don't have any experience with returns but did buy an Allen brand Torx bit socket set and has been said before it looks just like the made in USA craftsmen torx bit set.

 

[purpurite]

4 Menard's within 30 minutes of here... I consider myself lucky.

And you don't have to settle for Masterforce green anymore:

 

[petty4243]

On my way home from work I stopped by Menards, they have Allen, Stanley, Channellock, Eklind and their store brand MasterForce, and a few more, i didn't take notes. But the big shock was their made in U.S.A. MasterForce line, screwdrivers, nut drivers, wrenches, even sockets ratchets. They don't have the tool section that a normal Sears has as far as sq. ft., but I'd bet they do have a higher % of American made tools, and they are all backed by lifetime replacement. Just an observation, just wondering if anyone else had checked them out. I've seen lots of guys on here that like their boxes, just wondering if anybody has been buying their hand tools.

not all mastercraft stuff is usa... goes to lowest bidder boxes are made in china by international

 

[petty4243]

4 Menard's within 30 minutes of here... I consider myself lucky.

And you don't have to settle for Masterforce green anymore:

just got a black 56" and a blue 36" top and bottom.... they are nice... paint kinda thin though... very easy to scratch.... if your buying the bigger boxes, recomend either matching top or no top, i put a 41" husky pro box on mine... can see a slight wave in the top surface...

 

[Chadwilliam1]

what I don't like about their boxes is the shelf. I personally would never use it. I feel like it is a waste of space.