Nice try Klein......

[redwrench60]

So, I decided to get a nice new torpedo level for home. So I stopped in at the Depot to get one of those fancy Klein all aluminum magnetic electrician jobs I've spotted on other trips. I'm all set to get one but I flip the package over and I spot it...Made in China. $40 for a made in China Klein torpedo level? Not no.....hell no!

Nice try Klein, not fallin' for it. Bring it back and I'll buy it!

 

[Farmall450]

Ouch...Menards has Johnson brand levels, US made and inexpensive, I don't know if they have what you're looking for though.

 

[Exceller8]

I look at every single package and see the COO before I make my purchase. Even companies that I know to be US made will sneak things in from time to time. I think Klein is probably headed overseas because I'm seeing more and more of their tools from Taiwan.

 

[rice rocket]

Found out my local lumber yard has Stabila levels.

 

[wyo george]

That's just terrible to hear

I've been going through my tools and trying to replace all my non-USA stuff with USA made and so far I'm at about 90% USA. What is depressing is seeing tools that I have bought within the last ten years that are USA yet the current replacement models are China. An example is two screwdriver sets, one Rigid and the other Husky Professional. Both are made in USA and both were bought since about 2002. I ventured a look at the ones on the rack at my local HD and they are all China nowadays. On the upside I did find a new gasket scraper made in the good ol USA!

...end rant...

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I went to Sears the other night to buy a 3/8 beam torque wrench. While there, I looked at the RP wrenches for COO. On the back side of the wrench where I expected to find it was a very sticky white sticker that would have to be scraped off to see what was underneath it. My eyes aren't great, but I couldn't find COO anywhere else on the wrench.

BTW, my 40+ year old half inch drive Craftsman torque wrench looks better than the new one.

 

[Ameriman]

Yeah the klein levels are rebranded swanson levels... All Chinese of course.
Checkpoint used to make their levels in the USA... Now All Taiwan of course
Empire still makes their level in the USA... Now Milwaukee Owns them, will Americans loose those jobs too... Only God Knows

 

[redwrench60]

I ended up getting a nice USA made Johnson torpedo level that was 1/3 the cost of the China made Klein.

I'd still like to have one of those trick all aluminum ones some day if they bring them back.

 

[monomach]

Ouch...Menards has Johnson brand levels, US made and inexpensive, I don't know if they have what you're looking for though.

German Stabilas rebranded as Masterforce, too. Menards' selection of levels is pretty awesome.

 

[justme-]

Stabilias are awesome. I have several in different sizes. Love my 72". They used to warranty them for anything - including running over it with a truck. Not sure now how the warranty is, but I have a torpedo that is cast with magnets in the base and another box style with an adjustable vial for checking/setting angles. Highly reccomended.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[signcrafter]

German Stabilas rebranded as Masterforce, too. Menards' selection of levels is pretty awesome.

I just checked menards website because I need another level and looks like the master force levels are on clearance. That ***** if they are getting rid of them. I bought a 24" a while ago. Looks a little funny in with my yellow stabila but works the same.

 

[woody 73]

Sorry to say this boys but you better get used to all the big boys going overseas, if you want USA you better start looking for used tools. Just this week I picked up a an old plastic box with 10 V-craftsman 1/2 drive sockets plus a breaker bar for $7.00 dollars.

At least I can say that it is still out there to be found...

 

[Steinmetz]

So, I decided to get a nice new torpedo level for home. So I stopped in at the Depot to get one of those fancy Klein all aluminum magnetic electrician jobs I've spotted on other trips. I'm all set to get one but I flip the package over and I spot it...Made in China. $40 for a made in China Klein torpedo level? Not no.....hell no!

Nice try Klein, not fallin' for it. Bring it back and I'll buy it!

"Another song of victory for Chairman Mao's thought…".

 

[nieuport17]

$40 price tag is a little high. Should just make it here in the US with that same price tag.

 

[redwrench60]

$40 price tag is a little high. Should just make it here in the US with that same price tag.

That's kinda how I felt. I didn't fall for it though. I would give $40 for a high quality, feature packed, all aluminum USA made unit. But they can keep their China-pedo level.

 

[kiatech]

You can get the greenlee version for cheaper.

 

[ScottsGT]

I posted a thread a while back when I went into Lowes for a new 2' level. I did the same thing. Looked for COO. Nice aluminum ones, the wood ones, the expensive and expensive looking ones were all Taiwan or China or Mexico made. The cheap injection molded red plastic one was the only USA made level they had. I bought it over the better looking ones.