I got an email from Tekton today which announced their upcoming flare nut crowfoot wrenches. Basically a sales pitch and a coupon but I'm always pleased to see more domestic offerings from any tool company even if I'm not likely to buy it.
More USA from Tekton
- Thread starter lardy1
- Start date
bwringer
Well-known member
Yup, you gotta love a company that transparent.
Part of what I do for a living is build websites, and theirs is absolutely top-notch. It's not so much the website, it's the information design; crystal-clear photos, with a human hand where needed, diagrams, all the information you need, etc. Fantastic, super-clear interface.
Part of what I do for a living is build websites, and theirs is absolutely top-notch. It's not so much the website, it's the information design; crystal-clear photos, with a human hand where needed, diagrams, all the information you need, etc. Fantastic, super-clear interface.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I picked up a couple of the pick sets and I have been very pleased with them!
Yeah, their website is great. It's nothing earthshattering, but unlike most toolmakers, they have a drawing with 95% of all the dimensions that you'd want, material, COO, etc. Too bad almost no one else can be bothered to do such a simple thing.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Tekton just keeps on expanding their USA made line up unlike other companies that only pay lip service. It's tempting to buy something from them even if I don't need it.
WWheeler
Well-known member
FWIW, I'm not a registered email subscriber with Tekton, not yet at least, but did see this offer is also currently posted on their site for everyone, so I don't think the code is going to 'piss anyone off'...
Discounts and Offers | TEKTON Hand Tools
See current offers and discounts available on Tekton.com and learn more about our approach to pricing, discounts, promotions, and giveaways.
I can't say I have bought much Tekton stuff, and not sure any of what I have were made in USA or not, but all of what I have has gotten the job done and generally seems to have been better quality than I was expecting for the price I paid. I'm pretty sure I gave them a go in the first place because I'd seen posts here explaining that they have a good guarantee & pretty easy return policy, though I've not ever tried to use it. I generally don't return tools that broke on me even when I could have. I just don't ever buy any more from them again. That said, just the fact they have a good guarantee policy weighs pretty heavily in my decision to give an unfamiliar name a go.
PowderKeg
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have quite a bit of newer Tekton tools. I really like their sockets and 90 tooth ratchets. I use the hell out of it and It serves me well. Hopefully, adding US made items won't diminish Tekton's quality. 
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It really seems to me they are replacing weak imported items with a better US item so far.I have quite a bit of newer Tekton tools. I really like their sockets and 90 tooth ratchets. I use the hell out of it and It serves me well. Hopefully, adding US made items won't diminish Tekton's quality.
PowderKeg
Well-known member
Would either of you mind forwarding or posting or PM'ing at least the link to the flarenut crowfoots? Can only find the regular crowfoots on the website. SAE flare-crows are one set I've not picked up yet so they might be a consideration for future acquisition. Curious how they might compare to my Cornwell metrics.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
They are not out yet, but are on the way.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I don't know about those but the ones currently on their site are US made.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Went back and checked. Mine are from 2016.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I have the same set and they're pretty decent for the money. Great for hydraulic lines
The only reason why I said that is becasue I don't operate this site, Ryan Does.... I have no idea what his policy is about tool companies directly advertising on his tool website. Also, I have no idea how far of reach TEKTON wants their coupon code to go. Maybe they are testing just how good their email marketing is working compared to other forms of marketing. If I post their EMAIL coupon code on a world wide tool form, their test goes out the window. These are only 2 of hundreds of reasons why posting things like coupon codes COULD piss someone off. Lastly, I've been asked by other forum websites to refrain from posting certain things so I have had it happen in the past.FWIW, I'm not a registered email subscriber with Tekton, not yet at least, but did see this offer is also currently posted on their site for everyone, so I don't think the code is going to 'piss anyone off'...
Discounts and Offers | TEKTON Hand Tools
See current offers and discounts available on Tekton.com and learn more about our approach to pricing, discounts, promotions, and giveaways.www.tekton.com
That is all, carry on.
Yup, those are the older Tekton. Which are and have been branded under quite few names. They are also 15/60 degree. The new Tektons are actually produced by Tekton and they are also 30/60 degree giving even more angle options when combined with standard 15 degree open end wrenches.
Seth
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you... I love the 15 degree. It's the one that has saved my bacon several times. Expediting removal and return of several nuttts by at least 1/4 turn each advance. Most recently... replacing the Tailgate Lift Supports on my Subaru. There is that one 90degree nut/post that is poorly designed.
I saw the new 30/60 degree set. I paid $40 for my 15wrench set in 2016. Tektons new version... 16 wrench set is about $230. I just wish they were a skudge thinner. I don't "CRANK" on these with 2 foot pipe extension cheaters. Thinner would have worked for me.
finn
Well-known member
there is none. tekton doesn't make anything.
other than the angle wrenches it is pretty common knowledge who makes the us made punches, chisels, pry bars, etc. i don't own any mit/tekton other than some crappy mit 3/4 sockets and probably never will.
cut out the middle man and buy from the oem. tekton is at best a predominantly import lineup with medicre tools.
if tekton/mit was so proud of their usa made stuff they would at least say what town or even state they were made in. you get crickets or the run around when you ask them.
I live across the road from the Tekton factory
Perhaps I was a bit too literal in my original statement? When I said "produced by Tekton" . Lets call that the general "produced by" as opposed to the specific "produced by".
This is what the Tekton site says "Our angle head wrenches were designed and engineered by Tekton at our headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are made entirely in the USA."
So yeah, probably contracted.
But the point is they are not a set of wrenches that are being massed produced and branded with 100 different names. They are being made by Tekton or specifically made for Tekton. I don't think they are being produced with any other branding. At least I have not seen them.
And really the main point was intended to differentiate them from the previous older Tekton branded angle wrenches which are not being produced specifically for Tekton. Those are being produced for any company that wants to put their name on them.
Anyone else know anything more about the Tekton wrench production?
Sorry, didn't mean for this to go all OT on the angle wrenches.
Seth
Last edited:
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Their website is OUTSTANDING. Every other tool brand needs to look at Tekton, and use their site as an example. With their diagrams, specs, and COO transparency, you should know exactly what you are getting. The only other site I can think of that shows so much information is McMaster-Carr.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
They are laser cut steel, machined on a cnc machined, heat treated, then chromed. Much different that traditional wrench production utilizing forgings.I live across the road from the Tekton factory
Perhaps I was a bit too literal in my original statement? When I said "produced by Tekton" . Lets call that the general "produced by" as opposed to the specific "produced by".
This is what the Tekton site says "Our angle head wrenches were designed and engineered by Tekton at our headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and are made entirely in the USA."
So yeah, probably contracted.
But the point is they are not a set of wrenches that are being massed produced and branded with 100 different names. They are being made by Tekton or specifically made for Tekton. I don't think they are being produced with any other branding. At least I have not seen them.
And really the main point was intended to differentiate them from the previous older Tekton branded angle wrenches which are not being produced specifically for Tekton. Those are being produced for any company that wants to put their name on them.
Anyone else know anything more about the Tekton wrench production?
Sorry, didn't mean for this to go all OT on the angle wrenches.
Seth
It could possibly done by 4 different companies. I would dare to say the laser and cnc machining probably done by the same company but I would dare to say that heat treating and chroming is done by other companies.
May be across state lines.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Here's an image that shows how they are made. Interesting.
bwringer
Well-known member
https://www.tekton.com/ is one of the better sites I've seen as far as interface and information design, and it manages to look great as well.
And I'll agree that https://www.mcmaster.com/ is another. With such a vast array of products, they do an amazing job of making sure you can find what you're looking for and find out everything you need to know. The CAD drawings are brilliant. McMaster-Carr has invested heavily into technology, and it shows. The only irritants are deliberate decisions made because McMaster is primarily an industrial supplier; they're not a consumer site, but they kindly allow us mere mortals to order. These would be no photos, no brands or COO, and shipping costs are not calculated beforehand. These all serve to speed things up and minimize costs for businesses, but consumers who don't quite get the business model complain constantly.
https://www.rockauto.com/ also has a pretty good interface and brilliant technology (millions of parts for thousands of car models scattered across dozens of locations... an unimaginable task), but it looks absolutely awful. At some point, I hope they stumble across a decent designer.
There are several other websites that could learn lessons from these. Sites like zoro.com, grainger.com, fastenal.com, and mscdirect.com look great, but their search engines are absolute garbage, and overall usability is nowhere near as good.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Rock Auto is like a time warp back to 1998.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Bubba Fett said:
Except for the fact that their physical location isn't shown ANYWHERE on their website.
Get me a street address. "Transparent" is not being afraid to tell people where your manufacturing facilities or sales offices are located.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Michigan Industrial Tools Inc AKA Tekton
3707 Roger B Chaffee Mem Dr SEKentwood MI 49548(616) 243-2443Took 30 seconds on google.
They have a unique warrenty process that is actually really good. Take a picture with your phone and they send a new one to you. They also sell thru the website or dealers only. Why so hung up about an address?
About Us | TEKTON Hand Tools
We are a family-owned hand tool company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We work hard, think precisely, and question convention to provide you the hand tools we would want to use ourselves.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I just wish I could find a local brick and mortar store to buy Tekton stuff from.
four.cycle
Well-known member
It should not be necessary for me to go to Google to find the physical location of a manufacturer who claims they are U.S. based.Firebrick43 said:
As I said in my email to Tekton's customer service department:
four.cycle said:
mikehaugen
Well-known member
Meijer, rural king, and big R around my area used to carry partial inventory of their tools but it seems like all 3 have eliminated them for the most part. Rural King may still have a few things.
71firebird400
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2016
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You are more of a Karen than any grown man I've ever met.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ I'll take that as a compliment.
I've also done more business with more companies than any other man you've ever met.
I've also done more business with more companies than any other man you've ever met.
Once a tool is CNC cut, the location is no longer very interesting or exciting. It could be in a garage near their office and operated by a computer geek rather than the worker tending a forge in your imagination. If there is nothing to see, why bother to mention?
Tekton's strategy is to outsource a few items to USA tool makers, or sell a few USA tools at high prices to elevate its image, while making most of the money from Taiwan/Chinese made tools. I think it is pretty smart, works well for a lot of people participating in this thread.
If you compare its price for USA made pry bars to the same bars sold in Walmart, the degree to which it jacks up the price is amazing.
Tekton's strategy is to outsource a few items to USA tool makers, or sell a few USA tools at high prices to elevate its image, while making most of the money from Taiwan/Chinese made tools. I think it is pretty smart, works well for a lot of people participating in this thread.
If you compare its price for USA made pry bars to the same bars sold in Walmart, the degree to which it jacks up the price is amazing.
36 Inch Angled End Handled Pry Bar | TEKTON | LSQ42036
Long pry bar made in the USA with strong bar stock, steel striking cap, and a durable handle.LSQ42036.
Darn it! I take it back. When I bought the Walmart pry bar a month ago, it was $12. Now it is $22. Inflation! Now the price difference is not that big. Gee. 80% increase in a month.
The prices for Walmart 17 inch and 25 inch bars have not changed. I recommend everyone needing one to grab them ASAP.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Thank you.
are you calling me a karen as well? i feel the same way.