opinions on tools

[KEH]

Everybody has opinions, so how about giving opinions on how well Asian import tools hold up. Particularly ratchets, but sockets and wrenches also. I haven't used them enough to have a firm opinion, so I'm asking those with experience. I've broken only one Craftsman ratchet and generally try to take care of ratchets, going to breaker bar if there is a stubborn fastner.

I bought a mechanic a 3/8 HF swivel head ratchet as a little something extra for having done a good job for me on a tractor. Asked him to evaulate it. He liked using the ratchet and grabbed it first on some jobs. He finally broke the ratchet using it on a fastner that was really too large for it, I took the ratchet back to HF and exchanged it, no questions asked.

I have seen in the used tool bins import ratchets that have had the drive innards broken and some where the head still worked but the handle was bent from using a cheater pipe. Any way, how about opinions?

KEH

 

[1982fxr]

taiwan is much better than china pretty much across the board.

 

[Exceller8]

I much prefer Taiwan but my Chinese tools have held up just fine, especially my Gearwrench stuff.

 

[dogdad]

I prefer the Japanese over China or Taiwan made tools.

 

[Cap'n]

I have lots of Chinese made Mastercraft stuff that is excellent. Had very few problems with it. Some stuff is made in Taiwan as well, apparently, but their professional wrenches are made in Hong Kong I guess and are some of the best I've used. Just because a product is Chinese, doesn't mean it's poor quality.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for. There are some China manufactured tools that are way cheaper than other Chinese tools, and you can just tell the difference when you pick one up.

If the tool isn't made in Canada (Canadian tools are getting rare these days), I couldn't care less where it's made as long as it does it's job.

 

[Ruger_556]

Long as it works well I don't judge...

 

[cburnscrx]

Of the imported stuff I've used, most of it has held up well. Cheap junk is cheap junk regardless of country of origin. My Titan ratchets...fantastic! Some no name stuff I used in a pinch...trash. Generally speaking Taiwan > China

 

[woody 73]

As a rule I have the best luck with Japanese tools, followed by tools from Taiwan and last tools coming from China. The ratchets and sockets seem to hold up very well, but any of the older stuff from long ago is not very good; (The stuff you could buy for a few dollars at most stores). Seems that Today they are getting 100% better at making some top quality tools.

 

[Cap'n]

Of the imported stuff I've used, most of it has held up well. Cheap junk is cheap junk regardless of country of origin. My Titan ratchets...fantastic! Some no name stuff I used in a pinch...trash. Generally speaking Taiwan > China

Yep, exactly. No offense to my American brethren who love their USA made tools, but I've had 2 USA made Craftsman wrenches come apart in rather dramatic fashion, sending my fist flying into whatever I was working near that was the hardest/sharpest. That hasn't happened with my other wrenches.
Not exactly a very scientific test as my Mastercrafts are about 4-5 years old and the Craftsmans I was using were quite a bit older, but those two bad experiences have made me lean away from that brand lately.

 

[Heavy tech]

I don't think Japan should even be mentioned in the same breath as China and Taiwan. Their engineering is pretty much on par with ours. If people are willing to kill themselves over pride, you can bet they take pride in the goods they produce.

As previously said, you do (generally) get what you pay for. It is a shame that anything but premium brands are no longer made on our shores, but if I need something, asap, rather than cut into my savings for a ridiculously priced Snap On tool, that might not be here for a week, I'm inclined to run down to napa and get one for 1/5 of the price. Who gives a **** where it's made.


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[Gmonkee]

Long time user of import tools, I can answer for me.

Sockets, avoid the cheapest sets of no brand stuff. Any CR-V with a name and decent finish usualy is a pretty good user tool. I have HF among other rebrand import sets and none have failed me.

Wrenches, a sort of crapshoot here, I have two sets that look good, feel right but fit badly. Other sets were unimpressive appearances but fit great and were just good little worker bees you didn't even really notice after a while.
Now with major brands marketing Asain wrenches the quaity level has hit up there among the best from anywhere. Prices are decent too.
You really have to buy and try to get the feel, what works well for me may be bad for you.

Ratchets, I never had an Asain ratchet go more than two years of steady use. Some didn't make it a month. I went European on ratchets and can't look back. That was working in a shop wrenching 6 days a week.
A home handiman will have better results by far.

 

[Loscaldazar]

^^^

Very true.

Some people still have trouble accepting it, but by no means is Japan the junk producer of the world. They rose out of that role several decades ago...There is a reason many people buy Japanese cars, and it's not because they are junk.

Taiwan>China

 

[youngridge]

I have no problem going into town and buying Chinese/Taiwan tools from a local business. Premium tools like so or mac have a weekly warranty, I can go to NAPA or Auto Value anytime of the day to get my warranty, and even on Sundays if I desperately need something.

 

[Deafautotech]

I has china and Taiwan sockets and ratchets like Stanley and bositich (ratchet). So far I has no problems but sockets start to show wear and swell a very little. But I use same sockets everyday as work for ford but Chrysler and GM too as used vehicles...

 

[ndoran]

I have tools that have stood the test of time and heavy use made in: West Germany, Canada, France, U.K., Italy, U.S.A., Japan, China, Taiwan and India. Plus some made by my father and my grandfathers during their apprenticeships. Select what you buy with care

 

[Coach James]

I have used some China stuff and it has been ok. Taiwan is better in general. My preference for Asian tools though is Cambodia.

Coach

 

[joebachor]

Japanese tools hold up really good. I don t care for Chinese or Taiwanese tools because in addition to using tools everyday for a living, i am tool guy. Chinese tools are not up to par and Taiwanese tools just are nt cool or collectable.

 

[jmm]

First off, Japanese tools don't deserve to be lumped together with Chinese and Taiwanese tools. They're just as good (sometimes better) than many of their American and European counterparts.

The same can be said, though to a lesser extent, about the current crop of SE Asian brands. I'd still never use a tool without a brand stamped on it, but on the whole I think the stuff that gets branded is pretty good. Of the branded stuff, the worst of it works well in the junkyard or at home in a pinch, and some of the best of it is in my box at work alongside the big names. I wrench for a living, and the Asian brands I use hold their own.

I really don't care about the politics of tool buying. I'm all about function, and there are certain brands that do a killer job. I'm thinking Sunex, Gearwrench, Titan, and EZ Red, not to mention the Asian OEMs for the truck brands. And then there are other perfectly capably brands that, while not as nice as the competition, really blow away competitors in terms of pricing. Pittsburgh Pro and Northern Industrial/Klutch both sell perfectly capable tools ridiculously cheap. Then there are sleeper brands that are generally shied away from, but which really excel in certain areas. I'm thinking of Duralast here; they make some garbage, but they've got some surprisingly nice tools on offer as well (ratchets, individual wrenches and sockets, screwdrivers).

The verdict? I'm all for them. They won't replace my top line tools, but I won't pass up quality when it's there -- especially at the reduced price point.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Everybody has opinions, so how about giving opinions on how well Asian import tools hold up. Particularly ratchets, but sockets and wrenches also. I haven't used them enough to have a firm opinion, so I'm asking those with experience. I've broken only one Craftsman ratchet and generally try to take care of ratchets, going to breaker bar if there is a stubborn fastner.

I bought a mechanic a 3/8 HF swivel head ratchet as a little something extra for having done a good job for me on a tractor. Asked him to evaulate it. He liked using the ratchet and grabbed it first on some jobs. He finally broke the ratchet using it on a fastner that was really too large for it, I took the ratchet back to HF and exchanged it, no questions asked.

I have seen in the used tool bins import ratchets that have had the drive innards broken and some where the head still worked but the handle was bent from using a cheater pipe. Any way, how about opinions?

KEH

Taiwan good. China okay.

If you break taiwan you probably should re-evaluate your method. If you break china is might be a poorly made tool. US? Well, there's some variance but it could be either. The consistency varies (past 10-15 years) whereas the consistency in taiwanese stuff that comes to this country doesn't really vary (true story bro).

Price for price I still check the reviews and don't have a problem with any of this stuff unless the price becomes prohibitive (quality doesn't justify the price).

To answer the ratchet deal...there are no real lifetime ratchets. That's why even the high end stuff has drive replacement kits. With the import stuff usually you can just replace the ratchet itself for less than the cost of any such kit (in theory) if necessary. Can't really compare a 12 dollar harbor freight composite ratchet to a 150 dollar snap-on equivalent because you'll go crazy (those are actual prices).

 

[928'er]

First off, Japanese tools don't deserve to be lumped together with Chinese and Taiwanese tools. They're just as good (sometimes better) than many of their American and European counterparts.

Yeah, the "made in Japan" pejorative died out in the '60's. Taiwan, probably sometime in the '80's.

The Chinese economic system, however remains, basically, organized crime and they will do what ever they can get away with. Shoddy tools, shoddy building construction and Melamine contaminated baby food and pet food - for example.

Can they make good products? Sure, but don't hold your breath.

 

[Adam.C]

Unless you are absolutely destitute, I don't see the value in buying certain imported tools. The difference in price between new imports and used Snap On (or whatever premium tool you choose) is often less than the cost of a dinner at McDonalds for a family.

For starter tools, homeowners' tools, I think Craftsman is the minimum. And I think I could argue (based on my reading here) that second hand US made C'man (sockets, wrenches, ratchets) is the absolute best value.

For anyone serious about repairing things, who has the means and inclination to appreciate and care for a good tool, I see no financial sense in buying cheap imported tools.

 

[KEH]

Good comments. Years ago when I wanted to add sets of tools to keep in differentr locations I found that I could buy used US tools cheaper than new imports, so I haven't had much experience with imports, except for import impact sockets, which have held up well.

Like deafautotech said, I have seen used imports sockets that have spread. US sockets usually either break, last a long time, or wear out.

Good used ratchets are not too common locally, they get snapped up when availaible.

KEH

 

[Moose97]

I can only speak from a DIY'er point of view. If I were turning wrenches for a living I would be a Snap-On man for sure but as a home user and the sole bread winner for a family of 5, I can't justify the cost. I keep our 3 vehicles (2 over 20 yrs old) running and upkeep on our home with mostly Craftsman tools. My very first set of tools were bought at Sam's better than 25 years ago. They are Chinese made Olympia socket sets and wrenches. I've used them a million times in a million different situations and they still hold up. They are currently in my travel set. The rest of my travel stuff is odds and ends stuff and Pittsburgh Pro. As I said, most of my home stuff is USA Craftsman though I will still buy the Craftsman brand even if not made in the USA. If it's something I need once or twice a year, I usually buy the HF Pittsburgh Pro stuff. I commend the Buy American guys and I will when the cost is justified (like Craftsman used to be) but I've never had an issue with most of the others. Like many others have said junk is junk but just cause it's Chinese or Taiwanese doesn't necessarily make it junk.

 

[cburnscrx]

Unless you are absolutely destitute, I don't see the value in buying certain imported tools. The difference in price between new imports and used Snap On (or whatever premium tool you choose) is often less than the cost of a dinner at McDonalds for a family.

For starter tools, homeowners' tools, I think Craftsman is the minimum. And I think I could argue (based on my reading here) that second hand US made C'man (sockets, wrenches, ratchets) is the absolute best value.

For anyone serious about repairing things, who has the means and inclination to appreciate and care for a good tool, I see no financial sense in buying cheap imported tools.

I don't want to start a whole different argument over this, but you can't touch a used Snap On anything for what you can get some cheap import tools for. I've never seen a Snap On ratchet and 20 sockets for $14.99 (after coupon) anywhere, and if you know of such a place please share.

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-piece-high-visibility-38-in-drive-saemetric-socket-set-67900.html

 

[brit road garage]

By the best hand tools you can afford, others stuff you can buy cheap and upgrade later it's worked for me


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[Dirty Diesels]

To be honest alot of these asian sockets I use for knocking on siezed nuts n bolts & some have withstood some repetetive impact & still stand up to the job, but I prefer US made gear like Snap-on, Mac & Chicago Pneumatic, they are basically the bees knees compared with asian gear & fit better, infact when you get the odd rounded bolt Snap-on & Chicago Pneumatic will still fetch them off where these asian tools will just slip off causing bust knuckles.

 

[Adam.C]

I don't want to start a whole different argument over this, but you can't touch a used Snap On anything for what you can get some cheap import tools for. I've never seen a Snap On ratchet and 20 sockets for $14.99 (after coupon) anywhere, and if you know of such a place please share.

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-piece-high-visibility-38-in-drive-saemetric-socket-set-67900.html

I never meant to say you could buy used Snap On for HF prices. What I tried to say was the difference is negligible for serious workmen, including amateurs.

What really is the difference between crappy $20 sockets and the best sockets, little used, for $75 or $100? Its a values thing. I think the OP was talking about ratchets. I bought my TL72 1/4" ratchet for $37, about half what it costs new. It's about twice or 3X what a craftsman would cost, but the difference is really a couple trips to Starbucks. I'd rather have decent tools than HBO.

I think cheap tools are penny wise, pound foolish (or whatever the expression is).

 

[jmm]

I think cheap tools are penny wise, pound foolish (or whatever the expression is).

I don't have the ability to change what you 'think', but that statement is demonstrably false. This is coming from a professional.

As a matter of fact, the opposite is often claimed around here. I'm inclined to agree, though there are other reasons to keep high end tools around (I sure own enough).

 

[bagsanthony]

Wait, they make tools in China? Oh wait I 'll just head to Sears and get Craftsman it's made in the USA .... lol, I'm sorry but it is just too hard in this day and age to buy ALL domestic tools and constantly watch COO. I don't know what types of paychecks you guys get but a functional tool can be had a decent price with the right knowledge, I don't care what anyone says. It's unfortunate, but times have changed and I will admit it the Taiwanese offerings have gotten much better over the years.

 

[jd_1138]

If the tool isn't made in Canada (Canadian tools are getting rare these days), I couldn't care less where it's made as long as it does it's job.

Not me, if a tool isn't made in the USA, I'd rather buy one made in Canada, Europe, Japan. Better quality, better human rights, better workplace conditions, etc..

 

[2oolhound]

Not me, if a tool isn't made in the USA, I'd rather buy one made in Canada, Europe, Japan. Better quality, better human rights, better workplace conditions, etc..

I'm in this league as well. I'm sure a lot of the china made tools are decent enough but why fuel the fire. All or most the top manufacturers have moved their factories off shore along with the jobs but we the consumers are the final part of the equation. We can eat out of their hands like they planned or we can say **** you and buy used or any of the above mentioned which will throw a wrench in the spokes of the big migration of our jobs, resources and futures.

I do own a few china tools but generally I stay out of princess auto and canadian tire (canadian HF) and find I don't really need a lot of what they have to offer no matter how cheap it is. We're lucky with tools because there is still a choice, just look for a microwave or kitchen appliance and see if you have a choice at all any more. It ain't the quality so much that's the issue it's the principal.