Stumbling onto Made in USA tools...

[cburnscrx]

I don't know what's been going recently, but I've been stumbling across some discontuned or semi-rare USA tools.

8" adjustable Crescent Wrench (Cooper Tools - USA)
10R Vise Grips (Irwin - USA)
Nicholson file handle (Cooper Tools - USA)
P3 Craftsman Pro
P4 Craftsman Pro
10.5" Craftsman Pro arc joint pliers

And of course the Nicholson USA files at Lowes on clearance

Anybody else find this odd or having this experience? None of these were bought online, just walk into the store and grab them off the shelf.

 

[Trucky]

I find it odd that you randomly stumbled upon a P4, yes. The rest, not so much. Maybe the VG's, if they were made in the US completely.

I have terrible luck finding stuff like that, so I usually stick to online ordering.

 

[Fast LT1]

I found 4 sets of 1996 USA vice grips today! I think they were 10" BRAND NEW IN PACKAGING

 

[Exceller8]

This happens sometimes when a tool is overpriced and doesn't sell or when stores are really lazy and don't rotate their stock. I bought a Vise-Grip multitool (model??) at my local hardware store for $30 and they're selling for over $100 on ebay.

That same store has some old keychain Swiss Army Knives marked at $10.99 and that street price is around $22 now. Always keep your eyes open when looking for tools...

 

[trexdoink]

Small town hardware stores are a great place to find NOS USA tools.

 

[cburnscrx]

I find it odd that you randomly stumbled upon a P4, yes. The rest, not so much. Maybe the VG's, if they were made in the US completely.

I have terrible luck finding stuff like that, so I usually stick to online ordering.

The Crescent wrenches were at Lowes and the P4 is still stocked on the shelf at my local hardware store. I bought one, and next week there was another P4 for sale.

 

[zkling]

Small town hardware stores are a great place to find NOS USA tools.

^X10 the little hole in the wall, not much traffic stores can really stock some nice old stuff. Unfortunately their prices are a bit higher usually. Another common place to look for NOS stuff is the run down part of town stores or stores that don't get much traffic due to sketchy surroundings. I have found that some of the worst looking places have some of the best items. Love it when you have to wipe dust off the packaging.

 

[oldldh]

Local hardware stores can be a gold mine of NOS/Discontinued/Out of business stuff...

Even Ace Hardware ain't too shabby in this regard...

Prices can be, however, another thing...