No more Masterforce (Menards) sockets and wrenches ?

[NoahG]

I was in Menards last night and noticed that the made in USA sockets and wrenches are being phased out in favor of Gearwrench branded product. I hope the screwdriver rack hangs on a bit longer.



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[cliftonbros89]

I really hope that's not the case everywhere. The Menards closet to me still had a good selection of Masterforce stuff last time I was there. I'd be disappointed to see it go.

I only have a hand full of Masterforce tools, but they're pretty good. Mainly just for extra things to have around to take in the truck on a trip or something. I'd be a little frustrated if I had to have something warrantied sometime.

 

[B_Bimmer]

It's looking like only the screwdrivers are going to stay the same for now. Supply issues have made the sockets and wrenches wasted shelf space.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Apex produced Allen / MASTERFORCE family. Sad to see those brands leaving the shelf in Menards.

I am curious as to whether this is something Menards planned, or their solution to a current shortage of product from Apex.

 

[NoahG]

Apex produced Allen / MASTERFORCE family. Sad to see those brands leaving the shelf in Menards.

I am curious as to whether this is something Menards planned, or their solution to a current shortage of product from Apex.

It's hard to tell what their thought is. They've also recently discontinued the Morse USA hole saw product line in favor of Chinese hole saws.


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[Sticky Grips]

I've noticed that as well. I liked their Masterforce Screwdrivers..I hope they dont get rid of them.

 

[Thumper68]

I just called a buddy who knows a guy at Menards HQ, and he is going to try and find out what the deal is, it will take a few days to get an answer if at all, but it would be nice to know. I'll post up when I hear back from him.

 

[SMKS]

The screwdrivers are made by Ideal, so I suspect they'll stick around. Menards still focuses on USA-made products.

I, too, wonder if this is at least partially because of supply issues since Apex screwed the pooch with their factory consolidation.

 

[Farmall450]

Apex produced Allen / MASTERFORCE family. Sad to see those brands leaving the shelf in Menards.

I am curious as to whether this is something Menards planned, or their solution to a current shortage of product from Apex.

Those bastards, that's the last store around me with Hardline USA tools...Cman pulled out and Farm & Fleet went to Gearwrench and DeWalt from Allen shortly after.

 

[amandato]

Thumper68, any news if MasterForce USA sockets are getting replaced by GearWrench Taiwan/China?

It appears the remaining Apex US plant is slowly being driven into the ground and not able to replenish the Masterforce product line, based on this thread: www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326500 and more recent news http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350027&showall=1 I wonder if Menards is going to give up on the Masterforce socket/ratchet line and phase it into Gearwrench, or if they decided to dual brand the Masterforce section with GearWrench as a temporary measure until MasterForce products can be stocked again?

The Deleware Ohio (near Columbus) Menards you can find random GearWrench individual sockets hanging where Masterforce sockets should be hanging. Most are Masterforce but it is alarmingly sparse in Masterforce "sets", as if they are focusing on individual socket/wrench sales until stock is out.

Normally companies including Menards would put a line that is being discontinued on sale to liquidate, so the current behavior of mixing the two brands makes me think maybe there is a long term plan to restock Masterforce tools?

Crescent has a lot of real estate on the tool isle and is very well stocked. So stocked though it appears as if no one is buying the tools.

I also found a lot of new Stanley socket and wrench sets on the isle ends and middle isles last week. They were not there over the holidays. I have never seen that many Stanley branded tools in Menards before. Maybe they are now standing out since the Craftsman deal last week.

Based on the news that Apex's remaining US plant is further downsizing and Apex is ending production of the Allen and Armstrong product lines (the remaining US branded lines), I am of the belief that Menards will no longer be able to get Apex to supply made in USA Masterforce tools.

I wonder if Menards has the ability to switch suppliers or if they are stuck in a contract where they have to supply what Apex gives them and that's why they are allowing the Gearwrench branded tools in place of the Masterforce tools?

Unlike Sears, I think the Menards management understand they cannot simply start selling imported Masterforce sockets and wrenches as it would kill that brand rather quickly. Perhaps Proto, SK, Williams, or Wright could provide future Masterforce tools? One can dream.

 

[amandato]

One more update on the subject, I was looking online to see if the GearWrench sockets are priced differently and I stumbled upon something interesting, they do not list GearWrench equivalents to the MasterForce tools. The MasterForce 17mm deep impact socket 1/2 drive that is priced 8.99 in my area is out of stock at the Menards in Deleware, OH. At the store though the rack is full of 17mm GearWrench deep impact sockets.

More interesting is you cannot find the GearWrench 17mm deep impact socket on the menards.com website. They are though making an effort not to sell GearWrenches in place of MasterForce products on their website, rather they are defaulting to not providing the product online.

I suspect Menards does not know what to do with the restocking problem or they are under obligation with Apex to take what you get, or a mixture of both. Unlike Sears, they are not switching production of MasterForce to Apex overseas, at least not at this time. I think though the way they stock both together is misleading, but I see it often in other hardware stores like Ace Hardware and other mom/pop type hardware stores.

 

[Loscaldazar]

One more update on the subject, I was looking online to see if the GearWrench sockets are priced differently and I stumbled upon something interesting, they do not list GearWrench equivalents to the MasterForce tools. The MasterForce 17mm deep impact socket 1/2 drive that is priced 8.99 in my area is out of stock at the Menards in Deleware, OH. At the store though the rack is full of 17mm GearWrench deep impact sockets.

More interesting is you cannot find the GearWrench 17mm deep impact socket on the menards.com website. They are though making an effort not to sell GearWrenches in place of MasterForce products on their website, rather they are defaulting to not providing the product online.

I suspect Menards does not know what to do with the restocking problem or they are under obligation with Apex to take what you get, or a mixture of both. Unlike Sears, they are not switching production of MasterForce to Apex overseas, at least not at this time. I think though the way they stock both together is misleading, but I see it often in other hardware stores like Ace Hardware and other mom/pop type hardware stores.

Armstrong/Allen are closing down (and they make masterforce), so USA Masterforce is most likely dead. They may try to contract with Ideal, Wright, or such, but I doubt any of those companies want to contract their professional hardline tools for big box store prices or to create a second line for Menards.

Their best bet might actually be to go to SBD and either rebrand Craftsman as Masterforce again (as they were doing with Apex), or just carry Craftsman

 

[davethorik]

Last time I was in Menards, a bunch of Masterforce stuff was on discount, and a lot of spots were empty. Interestingly, there were quite a few Allen individual sockets on the shelves too, as well as Crescent and Gearwrench.

 

[tvtaurus]

I saw the same pattern in my Menards. Mostly gear wrench and crescent sockets. Still had other master force hand tools.

 

[Frank Dukes]

wow. this makes me sad.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Would it be simpler to stock the GearWrench brand in place of the Masterforce?
This appears to be what is happening in area stores around here.

 

[amandato]

I wonder if the remaining employees at the SC plant are there to provide tools to vendors such as Menards to fulfill existing contracts.

We should be clear that this seems to only be effecting the MasterForce sockets, ratchets and wrenches. The pliers, nut drivers and screwdrivers are supplied by another US vendor, they do not appear to be effected and Menards is not dual branding those racks in the stores.

 

[Mr_B]

I expect given time menards will sort another supplier for ratchets and wrenches, just not going happen ober night. Hopefully they don't go soft and just opt for import substitutes :-/

 

[Tenex]

Menards is doing the same thing near me. It's too bad because they are the only place where I can buy USA tools for a reasonable price. The only other option is White Cap. They sell Wright, Klein, and Channellock. Everything there is priced for contractors so it's nowhere near competitive to online.

 

[malecat]

I know Masterforce sockets are/were made by Apex... They are/were very high quality and a great bargain for the price. The only downside was that they didn't carry all the oddball sizes that you would get in a Snap-on set... Hold a Masterforce impact socket next to a USA Craftsman, Matco, Mac, Snap-on socket and you will see... I've been to Menards the last couple of days and they're phasing out the Masterforce USA and replacing it with Taiwan Gearwrench. I'm trying to buy up some of the remaining Masterforce while I can... I am a professional mechanic... I have used the Masterforce impact sockets and impact extensions and used the heck out of them and I can assure you that they will hold up as well as any Snap-on, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, etc... USA made, great fit and finish and tough... The Masterforce wrenches were satin finish but a great value for the money... The screwdrivers were/are top notch too...

 

[amandato]

I haven't seen this new Masterforce 46 piece socket set in the store but this is the first time I have seen the Masterforce sockets listed on Menards website without the "made in USA" logo. $20 for a 46 piece set is a good deal if it's the Easco style made sockets and extensions made in USA. Link: https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...chanics-tool-set-46-piece/p-1490595886901.htm

 

[ishiboo]

A whole year later and it's still an interesting mix of USA Masterforce and GearWrench. Is Apex still having supply issues in the US or is that factory done for?

I am somewhat doubting Menards ever planned on replacing the Masterforce USA with GearWrench when the GW stuff started showing up... they had recently (as of when this thread started) put the Crescent line up which is basically the same thing as the GW.

 

[Loscaldazar]

A whole year later and it's still an interesting mix of USA Masterforce and GearWrench. Is Apex still having supply issues in the US or is that factory done for?

I am somewhat doubting Menards ever planned on replacing the Masterforce USA with GearWrench when the GW stuff started showing up... they had recently (as of when this thread started) put the Crescent line up which is basically the same thing as the GW.

Armstrong is gone, so they've drastically reduced workers at that plant. They didn't say they were shutting it down, merely drastically reducing capacity. My guess is that they are only producing a select few important products like their pinless impact swivels now.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I haven't seen this new Masterforce 46 piece socket set in the store but this is the first time I have seen the Masterforce sockets listed on Menards website without the "made in USA" logo. $20 for a 46 piece set is a good deal if it's the Easco style made sockets and extensions made in USA. Link: https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...chanics-tool-set-46-piece/p-1490595886901.htm

The 2nd pic in this ^ link sure looks like import.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you order the set, I think you have a very slim chance of getting the older US made NAPA/Allen/Craftsman/KD/Others set. It would be new old stock at this point because, the factory that made all ofthose different brands has been shuttered for more than a few years now. I feel what you'll actually get is a rebadged Crescent set made in the PRC. Do you feel lucky?

 

[65k10]

If you order the set, I think you have a very slim chance of getting the older US made NAPA/Allen/Craftsman/KD/Others set. It would be new old stock at this point because, the factory that made all ofthose different brands has been shuttered for more than a few years now. I feel what you'll actually get is a rebadged Crescent set made in the PRC. Do you feel lucky?

I'm suspecting it is imported. The little "Made In U.S.A." logo that shows up below the product picture of US made Masterforce tools is missing.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Armstrong/Allen are closing down (and they make masterforce), so USA Masterforce is most likely dead. They may try to contract with Ideal, Wright, or such, but I doubt any of those companies want to contract their professional hardline tools for big box store prices or to create a second line for Menards.

Their best bet might actually be to go to SBD and either rebrand Craftsman as Masterforce again (as they were doing with Apex), or just carry Craftsman

I hope that Wilde can expand and fill this role. They make some great stuff at very reasonable prices.

Plus Menard's, at least by me, already carries a pretty full selection of their punches and chisels. The relationship is there.

 

[Jtels85]

The three Menard’s locations I’ve visited within the last month here in Cincinnati/Dayton still have some Masterforce tools remaining, but not much. They certainly are not being replaced with gearwrench as there are very few single sockets and ratchets on the pegs as well. It appears Crescent brand tools are replacing Masterforce. So basically, Menard’s won’t have a customer very long. I’ll gladly pass on that ish.

 

[BK13]

I was kinda bummed when I flew back to South Bend, Indiana this summer. I was looking to buy a rail of 1/4” drive Masterforce MM sockets but the store I went to didn’t have any.


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[mshell56118]

I was kinda bummed when I flew back to South Bend, Indiana this summer. I was looking to buy a rail of 1/4” drive Masterforce MM sockets but the store I went to didn’t have any.


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Thats because the South Bend, IN store is a joke of a Menards!! a converted old department store it does not have much for supplies or tools and luckily it is going to be replaced in the next year and is supposedly going to be the largest in the area

 

[cliftonbros89]

The Menards closest to me still has a decent selection of Masterforce tools. Not as much as they used to. But they actually recently had more MF tools in stock then they did earlier this year. Still some socket sets, individual sockets, some single wrenches, flare nut wrenches, pretty big selection of screwdrivers, some pliers too. I did notice that they had quite a few less toolboxes in sale. But they had the full line of MF "garage storage" boxes/cabinets in stock. Although I wasn't impressed with the quality of the cabinets, at least not for the price.


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[BK13]

Thats because the South Bend, IN store is a joke of a Menards!! a converted old department store it does not have much for supplies or tools and luckily it is going to be replaced in the next year and is supposedly going to be the largest in the area

I think there’s two Menards in SB, right? I think I was at the big one on my first trip and the junky one on my last one.


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[Yarpo]

Wen't to the Menards by me and they had a large selection of MasterForce stuff still, Individual sockets, extensions, ratchets, kits. They also had a fair amount of Gearwrench Tawain stuff that I've been picking through. I had no idea the masterforce stuff was USA made! The impacts I got look Cr-V instead of Cr-Mo tho?

 

[Zorba]

Stopped into my local Menard's (Kalamazoo, MI) to check out the new Masterforce boxes and was pleased to see the Masterforce tool sets back on the shelves. The Ratchet AND socket sets said Made in China, but the Socket sets alone all said USA. May have to swap out my C-man sets for these. Anyone know who is making them now? SK?

 

[zcbauer89]

Stopped into my local Menard's (Kalamazoo, MI) to check out the new Masterforce boxes and was pleased to see the Masterforce tool sets back on the shelves. The Ratchet AND socket sets said Made in China, but the Socket sets alone all said USA. May have to swap out my C-man sets for these. Anyone know who is making them now? SK?

I'm wondering if they aren't NOS sets? My local Menards still has quite a few of the old USA sets.

 

[Jtels85]

Was at my local Menard’s in Dayton this past weekend. They have a **** ton of Masterforce mechanic sets, Made In USA, wrenches, screwdrivers and single sockets all plentily available. What they have been running short on for quite some time is regular socket sets. The empty SKU pegs have been taking up valuable real-estate for over a year now. Those are the only items they don’t seem to restock.

 

[Ohmthis]

I was at my local menaces last week. Same as above, there were a bunch of singles, wrenches, impacts, and specialty socket sets, but no regular chrome socket sets. I picked up a set of torx sockets for my son's box while I was there.

 

[2000-cvpi]

Stopped into my local Menard's (Kalamazoo, MI) to check out the new Masterforce boxes and was pleased to see the Masterforce tool sets back on the shelves. The Ratchet AND socket sets said Made in China, but the Socket sets alone all said USA. May have to swap out my C-man sets for these. Anyone know who is making them now? SK?

Another GJ'er from Kalamazoo, welcome. I will have to check out the stores.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I picked these up about two weeks ago from the Marion, Ohio store. Generally I shop the Ontario store but they only had the SAE set.



Both stores had a mix of GW and Masterforce.

 

[Jtels85]

I picked these up about two weeks ago from the Marion, Ohio store. Generally I shop the Ontario store but they only had the SAE set.



Both stores had a mix of GW and Masterforce.

Nice!! If you don’t mind, how much did those set you back? I’ve seen them at Menard’s every time I go and never really looked at the price.