Conductor562
Well-known member
Hi guys, I'm new to GJ so if I should have searched the site better before posting please forgive me. Surely I can claim stupidity at least once? Anyhow, I'm 29 years old, I was born and raised I'n West "by God" Virginia, and while I've been reading GJ for a couple years, I've only recently signed up. I've worked on the railroad as a Freight Conductor since I was 20 and I'm also very active in my union. In my spare time I enjoy woodworking and restoration work and am currently restoring a 1962 model IH Cub Cadet. I also moderate the forum (along with 2 other guys) over at Tools In Action. Like many of you I've noticed on here, I try hard to keep my garage stocked with good quality, American made tools. I'm not at all against laying down top dollar for Proto, Klein, etc., to keep China out of my toolbox. I work union, buy American, and have a great deal of respect for those who do the same. I began buying up every tool I could afford when I was 15. I got a slew of Williams era Kobalt stuff for Christmas in 1998 (the year it came out) and here I am 15 years later talking about tools on the Internet at 3:00 in the morning. It's got to be a diagnosable illness, lol. By the time I began buying tools China was already a major fixture in the tool market but there were still many American producers around. Sadly, in the past 15 years many of those manufacturers have gone overseas much to my dismay. These days I rely mainly on Proto, Klein, and Channellock for my hand tool needs as well as Milwaukee and (to a lesser extent) Makita for power tools. There is no such thing as an American power tool anymore with the exception of select models from certain companies, but I still hold out hope for hand tools. My "glass half full personality" has kept me hoping to see a return of tool manufacturing to the United States but as I've seen brands like Kobalt, Craftsman, even Klein, Crescent, Mac, and Snap-On go overseas it appears there is no end in sight. Even my beloved Proto has plants abroad, though most of those tools don't turn up stateside. So, I ask you this question: Are there any (even 1) manufacturers that still make everything in the States? I appologize for the long introduction. Glad to finally be a part of your community! 
