Pittsburgh Pro Impact Sockets - Made in China

[krole]

Thought you guys might be interested. I didn't see anyone else mention this.

Went to go pick up some impact sockets the other day,
I noticed they are starting to source from China. They looked similar to the Husky ones at Home Depot.

FWIW only the SAE deep and metric shallow were China. I picked up the SAE shallow Taiwan. I will probably pick up the SAE deep anyways in the near future as I hardly use SAE.

 

[1982fxr]

I think even the Pro line switches every once in a while?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I made a thread a few weeks ago about that as well, consensus seemed to be that for the impacts they probably have 2 suppliers or something like that. Time I noticed it there was about 4 Chinese sets in front of the Tawian sets, next time I showed up there was some Taiwan sets on the front too, so they might just be getting whatever. I didn't see any different item numbers on their website so who knows.

 

[krole]

I made a thread a few weeks ago about that as well, consensus seemed to be that for the impacts they probably have 2 suppliers or something like that. Time I noticed it there was about 4 Chinese sets in front of the Tawian sets, next time I showed up there was some Taiwan sets on the front too, so they might just be getting whatever. I didn't see any different item numbers on their website so who knows.

Dang, I tried searching for older threads too. I looked through all sets and they were all the same.

I'll try again in a week or two, but not too worried since I'll probably use them only handful of times a year.

 

[Tallpilot]

I’m sure that helps keep cost down and the inventory channel full but it goes to show that even with the ‘gems’ one has to look carefully at each individual item. One reason I prefer Tekton sockets; consistency.

 

[krole]

I’m sure that helps keep cost down and the inventory channel full but it goes to show that even with the ‘gems’ one has to look carefully at each individual item. One reason I prefer Tekton sockets; consistency.

I actually have a full set of their regular sockets\ratchets. But most of their impact sockets are chrome vanadium, not moly.

 

[Mr_B]

Nothing wrong with crv impacts, I actually only buy crv taiwan impacts as far more long term usable, come in pretty much no skip sets and cheap enough self warranty 3 or 4 times in a career and still be up a fistful of dollars .

 

[dnschmidt]

Don't care where they're made. Are they quality or not quality? That the one and only question that matters. All of my Milwaukee tools are made in China and they're great. What's geography have to do with it?

 

[krole]

Don't care where they're made. Are they quality or not quality? That the one and only question that matters. All of my Milwaukee tools are made in China and they're great. What's geography have to do with it?

Way to miss the point.

I don't care where it's made, but they obviously have changed suppliers or have multiple. Based off my prior research it seems most peoples experience are the hand tools sourced from Taiwan are generally better than those sourced from China. Not just from Harbor Freight, and I thought the recommended ones were from Taiwan.

I would rather not be a guinea pig.

 

[6PTsocket]

I made a thread a few weeks ago about that as well, consensus seemed to be that for the impacts they probably have 2 suppliers or something like that. Time I noticed it there was about 4 Chinese sets in front of the Tawian sets, next time I showed up there was some Taiwan sets on the front too, so they might just be getting whatever. I didn't see any different item numbers on their website so who knows.

I just checked the web site. Pittsburgh professional SAE deep impact 10 piece set
#61707, #67912, #69263. Three numbers for the metric, too. Most HF stuff has multiple numbers. I would take Taiwan, too for lack of better information on quality. I like their Pro sockets for the way the small sizes are necked down rather than the tapered tip on the cheap ones. You usually find that design on high end sockets. They go better into tight spaces. Tekton is good stuff but they use the tapered tip. I have decided to ignore CrVa vs CrMoly. That argument has been beaten to death. Apparantly, either alloy can work well or poorly depending on other manufacturing considerations.

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[AceofSpad3s]

I just checked the web site. Pittsburgh professional SAE deep impact 10 piece set
#61707, #67912, #69263. Three numbers for the metric, too. Most HF stuff has multiple numbers. I would take Taiwan, too for lack of better information on quality. I like their Pro sockets for the way the small sizes are necked down rather than the tapered tip on the cheap ones. You usually find that design on high end sockets. They go better into tight spaces. Tekton is good stuff but they use the tapered tip. I have decided to ignore CrVa vs CrMoly. That argument has been beaten to death. Apparantly, either alloy can work well or poorly depending on other manufacturing considerations.

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When I checked a few weeks ago I couldn't find any online, appears I wasn't looking hard enough.

 

[Kenskip1]

I am not sure if this is the pro series or not. However it fits behind the seat in my truck.However it was made in China.

 

[Mr_B]

^ No that the basic line with the tapered tips rather than proper stepped necking .
I Generally find Taiwan a better product on mid range tools, design/alloy quality/finish consistency/durability tends be better across the board, china can do same but it not so easy found and not often worth a gamble .
If you take the phosphate finish for example on those Pitts Pro impacts, the Taiwan one with the more dry matte phosphate is far more deep durable protective coating wile the more shiny china ones polish right off after few uses and been rubbing on something .

 

[CobraRed]

Don't care where they're made. Are they quality or not quality?

Which one?
I think that's the root of the issue with this practice.

"I like mine no issues"

"Mine all broke into pieces"

Neither has much weight unless you can be sure they are talking about the same set you own or want to buy. Which is a bit difficult to ensure when there are multiple suppliers and even COO's under the same set.

All things being equal, Taiwan has historically shown to have higher quality and consistency. Now let's assume even that wasn't true, they certainly cost different to be manufactured.

Yet you get charged the same under the same model number.

 

[anndel]

I looked at the metric deep and shallow impacts last summer and they were made in Taiwan at that time. I guess HF switched COO.

 

[6PTsocket]

^ No that the basic line with the tapered tips rather than proper stepped necking .
I Generally find Taiwan a better product on mid range tools, design/alloy quality/finish consistency/durability tends be better across the board, china can do same but it not so easy found and not often worth a gamble .
If you take the phosphate finish for example on those Pitts Pro impacts, the Taiwan one with the more dry matte phosphate is far more deep durable protective coating wile the more shiny china ones polish right off after few uses and been rubbing on something .

Speaking of that finish. I attempted to write a generally favorable review on something from HF but mentioned that the black phosohate finish rubbed off rather easily. The robo censor jumped on the word black and said "your review is blocked for racist content" You can't make this stuff up.

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[FTG-05]

Which one?
I think that's the root of the issue with this practice.

"I like mine no issues"

"Mine all broke into pieces"

Neither has much weight unless you can be sure they are talking about the same set you own or want to buy. Which is a bit difficult to ensure when there are multiple suppliers and even COO's under the same set.

All things being equal, Taiwan has historically shown to have higher quality and consistency. Now let's assume even that wasn't true, they certainly cost different to be manufactured.

Yet you get charged the same under the same model number.

Too bad HF (and others for that matter) don't put the COO in their on-line site. I'm 40 miles from the nearest HF; hence I buy on-line. I do not see the COO on their website from looking at a couple Pitt Pro tools.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

China, Taiwan, India. ChiTaIwandia.. Regardless of which country of origin, it is made to HF specifications. They have been doing some horn tooting about their investments in foreign factories (production equipment inside the factories). Whether these factories located on the mainland or island; I question if HF quality would suffer due to the specific location of the factory.

 

[Mr_B]

^ it does, compare those china impacts in hand to the taiwan and taiwan better finish straight off by eye and feel .

 

[Wamsutta]

I've compared both in the store. The Taiwan sockets are machined better. The Chinese impact sockets will usually have have the letters stamped crooked and in varying debts of readability.

 

[Mr_B]

^
laser etching on the china ones not as easy read because a bit uneven clarity and the shiny phosphate finish seems loose the etching quicker when oily and been abraded .

 

[Professional Tool User]

At Harbor Freight's price point for sockets, I'd be more concerned about overall quality control than country of origin. It can go either way. My 3/8 deep chrome Pittsburgh pro socket set has loads of finishing imperfections. The Pittsburgh pro universal sockets I recently bought had uneven wall thickness throughout the set. Both of these were Made in Taiwan items. I'd rather have a Made in China item that is not as built to cost over a Made in Taiwan item with a lot of corners cut.

 

[Mr_B]

^ With HF you got do QC preferably before you pay or at least in car park before leave .
For socketry you almost always best doing some research and buying decent oem taiwan online as pretty much close to HF prices but better options such as design preferences and size coverages . HF tends bring out the worst in any coo even usa .
They have so many suppliers even multiple from same coo it total ballache make sure you getting the best version without lot of research and physical inspection .

 

[Wamsutta]

Look at these beautiful sockets here. Wow.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

At Harbor Freight's price point for sockets, I'd be more concerned about overall quality control than country of origin. It can go either way. My 3/8 deep chrome Pittsburgh pro socket set has loads of finishing imperfections. The Pittsburgh pro universal sockets I recently bought had uneven wall thickness throughout the set. Both of these were Made in Taiwan items. I'd rather have a Made in China item that is not as built to cost over a Made in Taiwan item with a lot of corners cut.

That is the HF **** shoot You end up with when ordering online. Last week, this week, and next week can all be different. Mr_B has it right about doing Your own quality control when shopping in the store.

The last two sets of HF impact sockets I bought online seem to be ok. (lucky?)These are 12 point deepwell crv impact sets in 1/2" drive. I bought them after having acceptable results with other HF impact sets in 1/2", 3/4", and 1" drive; both Pittsburgh crv and Pittsburgh Pro cro-mo. The large impact sockets that I have broke under heavy use have been replaced with Proto or SK. Overall, I have no complaints on the HF impact sockets. There are two other advantages for Me to buy these sockets: When I work on a vehicle; it leaves with a 6 point impact socket that fits the lug nuts, and an old but usable breaker bar.. If need be, a HF impact socket will be welded to a stripped bolt head, and then turned out when hot. So I use them, break them, burn them, and give them away.. For the price I paid for these sockets, and the luck I have had: I am either living right, or have been very lucky.

 

[Tonyuk]

Its not hard to make a socket im sure for any of the massive oversea's factories, they'll be perfectly fine to use.

More of an issue with stuff that relies on moving parts, then i'd probably go for the Taiwan set.

 

[Sdot]

Didn't want to start new thread...


A year or so ago, Pittsburgh Pro was not existent in 1/2" Deep Metric. I did notice that there are available now. Has anyone gotten a set recently, 1/2" metric deep that are made in Taiwan?

 

[qqzj]

Man, 1/2 metric impact has been in HF for who knows how many years. Where have you been?

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[ajchien]

I will absolutely buy a product from Taiwan rather than China. For similar reasons that I’ll buy USA over an import.

 

[Noworries]

Edited due to my being completely factually incorrect

 

[qqzj]

Where did you get this piece of insight? Taiwan is moving away from China now.

Not sure it makes a difference but remember..China is now solidly in control of Taiwan... at some point "Made in Taiwan" may no longer exist...

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[Iowafox]

I will absolutely buy a product from Taiwan rather than China. For similar reasons that I’ll buy USA over an import.

I am the same way 100% For me impacts sockets I am a believer that if there made in USA or Taiwan there good. China made ones as well as India made ones don't hold up well. Over the last few years i've broken only China made and India made impacts. Once I switched to Tekton or the HF Pits pro shallows no issues at all even after ALOT of abuse. :hitit:

 

[Noworries]

Where did you get this piece of insight? Taiwan is moving away from China now.

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Oops.. yup I was thinking about Hong Kong my bad..

 

[RedneckWelder]

I’ve seen the Pittsburgh Pro impacts from both Taiwan and China on the same peg. I always pick the Taiwan packages. This was true even 6 years ago when I brought my first sets.

 

[Wakefield]

Where do Wright impact sockets fit in this neighborhood?

not as expensive as Snap On but I guess on a whole set of them costs a good bit more than getting them from Harbor Freight?

 

[Sdot]

Man, 1/2 metric impact has been in HF for who knows how many years. Where have you been?

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Pittsburgh PRO 1/2" deep metric were not always a thing...

 

[dogdog]

Way to miss the point.

I don't care where it's made, but they obviously have changed suppliers or have multiple. Based off my prior research it seems most peoples experience are the hand tools sourced from Taiwan are generally better than those sourced from China. Not just from Harbor Freight, and I thought the recommended ones were from Taiwan.

I would rather not be a guinea pig.

I have no problem with their impacts sockets, don't remember the COO.. the CRMO ones anyways...
but this is a known thing with HF... same identical looking item will be sourced from different COO... nothing new.


Their CRMO 1/2 socket hex or Torx is also very good ... been happy with them on rusted VW body bolts... (f-u German Cheap **** car that makes me a tool-a-holic.)

and definitely nothing new that some of their stuff are Junk, where you can get similar items at box store for cheaper. and better.
for example my recent experience, their 2 gallon sprayer... leaked on first use... and the return experience for any pumps/sprayer are super F-ed. I did get my refund after about a week of emailing them.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Wow mine hasn’t got the ones from China yet I am glad I have some of the Taiwan ones that are still going strong after 5 years 4 years of professional use. I had no idea they were going to source them to China.


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[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I am the same way 100% For me impacts sockets I am a believer that if there made in USA or Taiwan there good. China made ones as well as India made ones don't hold up well. Over the last few years i've broken only China made and India made impacts. Once I switched to Tekton or the HF Pits pro shallows no issues at all even after ALOT of abuse. :hitit:

Same here bro I picked up a China one at the pawn shop put it on my 3/8 impact and it cracked just taking a ball joint bolt out I gave it to my friend who said he was going to make a custom tool from it since it’s a no name China ones. And yes don’t buy anything made in India either like the Harbor Freight wrenches I had some China ones that were ok but the India ones are very much more weaker.


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[sberry]

I made a thread a few weeks ago about that as well, consensus seemed to be that for the impacts they probably have 2 suppliers or something like that. Time I noticed it there was about 4 Chinese sets in front of the Tawian sets, next time I showed up there was some Taiwan sets on the front too, so they might just be getting whatever. I didn't see any different item numbers on their website so who knows.

I bet 3 suppliers do most of it, 2 big and a 3rd smaller one. Walmart or most major vendors would rather pay 50 cents or a dollar more for a set, even 2 if they got a socket they didnt have to warrant. There is a generic tool in a white box that goes worldwide and is pretty good except for some pliers are short yet,,, but gets rebranded in to ATD and NAPA. You can find a cheaper wrench but not one so good for that cost. 99 cents and 2$ in a single over the counter,,, junk India a dollar and its no good. Sears had hi prices in retrospect , 8 dollars for a single made the 1$ one tempting but when you can get one for 2 or even 5 it loses its appeal.