Tool Manufacturers

[kartracer55]

It seems like these companies are constantly changing hands lately and I'm having trouble keeping track of who makes what where. I'm starting this thread as a list of all of the tool manufacturers in alphabetical order along with what company owns them and where they make the majority of their tools.

I am including the makers of common hand tools, power tools, tool boxes, and air compressors.

*Please feel free to post any pertinant info and I will continuously edit this thread to keep it up to date.


A&E
Agatech - construction grade laser levels
Ajax
Allen (Danaher)
Allied -somewhere in asia (typically junky)
Baldor - top notch grinders - USA
Baltimore - USA
Beta - (used by team ferarri) Italy ... Happy Ed? lol
Black and Decker - All over the place, China, Mexico, one or two USA Own DeWalt
Blackhawk - "Blackhawk by Proto" (stanley)USA
Blue Line - USA
Blue Point - USA, Taiwan
Bondus - (Balldriver, ProGaurd,Gorilla Gripuses "protanium" steel) USA (top notch)
Bosch- China, USA, Switzerland
Bostitch - (Stanley) Country of origin under review
C.K.
Cen-Tech
Central Pneumatic - China
Champion - Compressor, USA
Channellock (Channellock)- USA
Chesco (American Tool)
Chicago Electric - China
CIP- Insulated(electrical) sockets + wrenches- USA
Cooper - Makes Cresent, Campbell, USA, as Well as all over asia
Cornwell - USA (ohio I believe)
Chicago Pneumatic (tools)- Mainly Japan, USA, Possibly China.
Craftsman - Handtools USA, One or two from Germany
Crescent (Cooper)
CSPS - Tool boxes for Costco, Sams Club, Taiwan
Dewalt - China, Mexico, USA(owned by black and Decker)
Dotco (Cooper)- Air tools
Dremel - USA
Drill Master
Easco* - Formerly Moore Drop Forge, then Bough By Danaher -> allen USA
Eaton - compressor, USA, China
Eklind - allen wrenches & torx- USA
Emerson - Western forge, Rigid
Enderes - USA
Enkay-small precision style hand tools and accessories- mainly made in China
Facom - France
Fiskars - USA/Finland
Florida Pneumatic - Air tools - Japan
Foygelb
Fuji Pneumatic - Air tools - Japan
Gaurdian (Baltimore)
Gear Wrench- By KD(Danaher) Taiwan
Gedore - Germany
Grey pneumatic - Impact sockets - Taiwan
Gripper (Baltimore)
Hanson (American Tool) -USA
Herbrand (*) Canada, USA
Hezel - Mechanics tools - Germany
Hitachi
Hi-Tech (A&E)
Husky- Mostly Taiwan, Formerly by New Britain In NB, Conecticut
Ideal
International - Toolboxes for SK, Sears Canada, High End Canada, Low end China
IR, Ingersoll Rand (air tools) - High End, USA,others Japan, Regular line China
Irwin (American Tool)- Mostly USA
Ivy Classic- Powertool accessories (bits & blades) made in US, Hand tools in China
Jack (American Tool)
Jet
Joran (American Tool)
Kalamazoo - Metal sanders and chop saws- USA
Kastar (A&E) - USA (ratcheting box wrenches for Snap on, Craftsman, SK,others)
KD - (Danaher) USA, Taiwan
Kennedy - Toolboxes - USA
Klein- USA, one or Two from Japan
Knipex - Germany
Kobalt - USA, China
Lindstrom (Bahco)
Lista - USA
Lufkin (Cooper) - General purpose measuring - USA
Mac (Stanley) - Mostly USA (exceptions: micro tought ratchets, Taiwan)
Makita - "USA"(id like to know what though) Japan, China
Marathon (American Tool)
Marples (American Tool)
Martin Tool and Forge - USA, Others? Specialty tools (servo wrenches, Body tools)
Matco - (Danaher) USA, China, Taiwan
Mayhew - Punches, Chisels (possibly for craftsman) USA, Taiwan?
Meritool
Metabo - China, Germany
Milbar- Snap ring, saftey wire pliers - USA
Milwaukee - Corded Mostly USA, Cordless... all over
Moore Drop Forge* - Originally making Craftsman, Changed to Easco (see easco)
Oldeforge Tools
OTC - USA for Heavy duty Equipment, Most other stuff is Taiwan
Panasonic - Japan, China
Paslode
Pittsburgh - Asia
Plomb*- Name changed to proto in early 50s
PLS - Contstruction grade laser levels
Plumb (Cooper)
Powerpress (American Tool)
Pratt Read - USA
Pro-Craft (Baltimore)
ProSnip (American Tool)
Proto (Stanley) - USA, Formerly Plomb, over years name owned by IR and others.
Quick Grip (American Tool)
Record (American Tool)
Red Devil
Reed
Ridge- see ridgid
Ridgid- (emerson) USA, Elsewhere
Robert Schroder- German Made Woodworking hand tools, screwdrivers
Robotoolz- construction grade laser levels
Ryobi - Formerly USA Made* (back in the Day) Now Asia
SE
SK- USA, one or two from France
Skil - USA and China
Skyo
Sioux (Snap On)
Snap-It (Baltimore)
Snap-On - USA
Speedbor (American Tool) (irwin?)- USA
Stahlwille (Germany)
Stanley (Stanley) - USA for woodworking/construction - Asia For hand tools
Straitline (American Tool)
Stride
Surtek
Tajima - Made in China. Construction tools, tape measures, utility knives
Toptul- Made in Taiwan, claim to be the best "value" out there
Turbomax (American Tool)
Unibit (American Tool) (irwin?) USA
Urrea- Mexican Proto (no kidding, many tools share designs, formerly affiliated)
USAG - Italy
US General - Asia (probably china with a name like that)
Utica* - Pliers, torque wrenches, adjustables - Utica New York, USA
Utica (Cooper) - Currently Makes torque wrenches- Cant find out where from
Viking- Mostly USA, a Few from South america, Drill presses from Europe+ Taiwan
Vise Grip - Currently Irwin, TraditionalVisegrip USA, New line of Cutters- Taiwan
Waterloo - (makes boxes for Kobalt, Craftsman, possibly Armstrong+matco) USA
Weller (Cooper)- Soldering Irons & such
Wera - Germany
Western Forge (Emerson)- Screwdrivers, pliers, + other stuff for Craftsman, Rigid
Wiha - Germany
Wilde - USA
Wiss (Cooper)
Witco - USA
Witte - Germany
Wright - USA 100%
X-acto
Xcelite (Cooper)
Xuron
Yorkcraft
Zephyr


(*) = No longer being made.

Aside from posts on Garage Junkies, the second main source of information was from the Hand Tools Institute. (http://ww3.hti.org/0410HTIDirectory.htm)

 

[eschoendorff]

Beware... the new pliers that bear the Irwin Vise-Grip logo are made in Taiwan!

Also, you forgot Beta tools (It?)

I will post more criticism as it comes to me...



Seriously, though

 

[Luckydevil]

From the other thread... Cornwell, Eaton, CSPS Toolboxes (China), Knipex, Hezel, Whira, Witte, Stahlwille,

JeeperAZ- "You need to add Mayhew(at least some made in Taiwan) and Knipex (Germany) to the master list."

MarkH- "I did not see Cornwell. US made items similar to the other truck vendors."

KartRacer55- "Well For air tools I want to Add Florida Pneumatic, fuji Pneumatic, Dotco, IR, CP, Snap On/Blue point, and Suiox. Suiox is a Snap On Brand, made here as well. IR makes stuff here (higher end 3/4 and 1inch guns) and The Titanium/composite guns. The Other stuff like composite ratchets are made in Japan, Most of the regular line of impacts comes from China. Fugi and Florida are Japanese, and Im not sure about Dotco. CP stuff comes from USA, Japan, and Probably China too.

I thought of a few more for the list...
Grey Pneumatic -impact sockets- taiwan
CID- Insulated Sockets+ ratchets, Limited Info on them, but USA made
Bostitch (stanley)"


Also Gedore (German) and Makita.

 

[Coach James]

The Allen line of hand tools are made by Danaher.

If the "Baltimore" line is baltimore Tool Works, they are USA made and still made in the Baltimore area I believe.

The Eklind hex wrenches I have are USA made.

Enderes makes their tools in Minnesota. I've got some of their screw sdrivers and pry bars and they are top notch.

Pratt Read is also still USA made.

Wilde and Witco are USA made. Their stuff is A+.

Ingersoll Rand makes some of their stuff in the USA as they have a manufacturing facility about 7 miles from my house(Southern Pines NC).
James

 

[Thumper]

Stahlwille........Germany.......good stuff

 

[stupidjet]

csps boxes are made in TAIWAN....at least mine was....

 

[JeeperAz]

Knipex made in Germany, not Japan.

Also, Witte is the maker of Matco's "Torque II" screwdrivers.

 

[kartracer55]

Knipex made in Germany, not Japan.

Also, Witte is the maker of Matco's "Torque II" screwdrivers.

I knew this, advertised in catalogs, but Luckydevil must have seen proof otherwise to edit this, which is why I have it in ( ). Technical difficulties... Under review.

Jim

 

[Luckydevil]

My bad, I must have copied those down wrong.

 

[evildky]

Matco or at least some of their air tols are made in China!

 

[kartracer55]

Think they are rebadged IR?

I know the craftsman professional composite guns are the rebadged IR ti/composite guns. Specs are almost identical, and they have certian markings that are pretty distinct.

Jim

 

[Remi]

Metabo is also made in germany
My metabo jigsaw is made in germany but powergrip screwdriver is china.

Bosch is made in many more countries than Switzerland sometimes the same model is made in different countries.

What about JET or paslode?

 

[eschoendorff]

Well, since we're discussing this stuff, I figured I'd post a link to the Hand Tools Institute (whatever the hell that is). But it features primarily American-made tool brands. Lots of references to the aforementioned tool brands, and some neat websites. Sorry if this is a dupe:

http://www.hti.org/0410HTIDirectory.htm


BTW... check out the Channellock website. Quite an interesting company story, and their virtual factory tour is cool too.

 

[kartracer55]

Well does anybody have any info on KAL hand tools? Some of thier wrenches say usa, others japan. I didnt get a chance to check out thier sockets today, although from a distance they looked nice, and I was diggin the cool metal case they came in... my question is whos making them and are they USA made?

Cant find ANYTHING on them

Jim

 

[Thumper]

Does anybody know if Blue Line is still in business? I got a set of combo wrenches that have worked well for many years.

 

[kartracer55]

Does anybody know if Blue Line is still in business? I got a set of combo wrenches that have worked well for many years.

There is a set of these at the autoshop, not country of origin, satin finish. Where are they made? Ive never used them because its more convenient to grab a rack of SK or snap on.

Jim

 

[Thumper]

The Blue Lines I have were USA made. Mine were made back in the early 70's.

 

[river1]

Bosch is made in many more countries than Switzerland sometimes the same model is made in different countries.

bosch is made in china now

at least some are.

i emailed them about their 4 1/2 in grinders and where they are made. the reply said the ones in their office were badged USA but they listed a number of countries but not china. so i went down to lowes to buy a couple. check the box it said made in china emailed them back and asked if they had some made in china they said they were unaware of ant grinders made in china.
i replyed about my findings at lowes, they didn't reply back.

later jim

 

[evildky]

I just got a new matco air ratchet and swivle lead for , both quality made in Tiawan

 

[Luckydevil]

Thanks for all the input guys. Keep it coming.

 

[danski0224]

Metabo cordless stuff is made in China.

 

[kartracer55]

I just got a new matco air ratchet and swivle lead for , both quality made in Tiawan

What do you mean swivel lead?

And what model air ratchet? It looks like thier air tools come from all over the place.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

What do you mean swivel lead?


Jim

I think he might be referring to the whip hose between the air hose and the tool?

 

[evildky]

I think he might be referring to the whip hose between the air hose and the tool?

nope,
it's the new 1/4" air ratchet (I needed a smaller one for some tough to get to jobs) anyhow it's made in tiawan (and yes the swivel is tiawans finest as well), and if you go back in the thread you can see the pic I posted of the matco made in china die grinder

 

[Gregdoo]

Western Forge is listed as Vermont American. It should be listed as Emerson, which also is responsible for Rigid (Home Depot). In the past, their plant here in Colorado Springs made wrenches for Craftsman/Sears. Not sure if that is still the case. See: http://www.gotoemerson.com/brands/pro_tools/br_pt_dp.html#div1

 

[kartracer55]

Western Forge is listed as Vermont American. It should be listed as Emerson, which also is responsible for Rigid (Home Depot). In the past, their plant here in Colorado Springs made wrenches for Craftsman/Sears. Not sure if that is still the case. See: http://www.gotoemerson.com/brands/pro_tools/br_pt_dp.html#div1

I wasnt sure of the vermont amercan connection, but yes, they still do make wrenches and sockets. They also make many screwdrivers and pliers for them. If you look on your screwdrivers and pliers by the part number, You will see WF for western forge, and PR for Pratt&Read, only on screwdrivers as I recall

What else can ya tell me about Emerson? Thats one Ill have to do some research on. Interesting stuff!

Thanks

Jim

 

[evildky]

speaking or emersone, last I know emerson electronics owned both bosch and skil

 

[kartracer55]

speaking or emersone, last I know emerson electronics owned both bosch and skil

Bosch is Part of the Bosch Group I thought...

 

[Uncle Buck]

Kartracer: I know that WF designation on crafty sdrivers goes back at least to the 1960's cause my dads crafty sdrivers has the WF on them too, and they are from that era! I find that WF thing quite interesting, I always wondered what that meant.

 

[kartracer55]

Well I asked A guy I know, John Garner, who knows pretty much everything thier is to knwo about this sort of stuff, about WF vs. Danaher for craftsman...

This is his Reply

"Western Forge is an Emerson company today, but forty years ago, when they were founded, they were the Colorado Springs, Colorado gleam in the eye of the man who sold his Ohio-based tool company, Lectrolite, to Symington-Wayne. Sears provided most of the up-front financing, while the man (a Mr Schlosser, if I'm remembering right) provided knowledge and experience.
The original Western Forge products paralleled a portion of the Lectrolite product line . . . adjustable wrenches and pliers, which, because they are multiple-part moving assemblies, are more complex (and expensive to produce) than flat wrenches or sockets. Interestingly, the other Western Forge product, the screwdriver, is one of the simpler hand tools to manufacture.

The pliers, adjustable wrenches, and screwdrivers were sold primarily to Sears under the Craftsman brand name.

Within a few years, Sears had Western Forge produce a line of sockets and drivers that were to be sold, in sets only, at a price point well below that of the Craftsman-branded sockets and drivers. These sockets and drivers were branded Companion, and perhaps not surprizingly, the sockets looked very much like a lower-finish variant of SK's sockets. On the other hand, the ratchets were an open-head design that was a clear descendent of open-head ratchets that had long been produced by Pendleton Tool (think Proto, P&C, Penens, Challenger, Fleet, Vlchek brands), Thorsen, and Duro Metal Products EXCEPT that the Western Forge / Companion ratchets were re-engineered to be held together with a snap ring instead of by peening or riveting.

I have a distinct recollection that many Companion-brand sockets and drivers had a very dull plating that corroded to white (perhaps zinc plated?), but I do have a 3/8 inch drive Companion ratchet of that series that seems to be chromed.

I also recall that the Companion-brand sockets had a one-year guarantee and didn't hold up all that well to hard use but did provide reasonable service for the price. As you might expect, Sears' cheapskate customers refused to see that they bought an economical tool with a limited guarantee, and expected Sears to replace broken Companion tools as if they were Craftsman tools. I have always suspected that Sears regretted their attempt to compete with el-cheapo tools from the hardware store.

At that time, and continuing to today, Sears' primary supplier for Craftsman-branded sockets, drivers, and flat wrenches was (Moore Drop Forge which became Easco and then Danaher Hand Tool). Moore was originally from Springfield, Mass, but they opened factories in Arkansas and North Carolina mainly on the strength of their contracts to supply Craftsman mechanics' tools.

FWIW, the original Moore plant in Springfield was finally shuttered earlier this year. Their final product was the Moore-heritage ratchet line, including the variants sold under the Craftsman name. Throughout their 100-year history as a maker of hand tools, Moore's focus was on flat wrenches and sockets. I have heard that they dabbled in slip joint pliers and screwdrivers in the years before World War II, but they certainly didn't go after the plier and screwdriver business like they did the wrench business.

John "

Jim

 

[Uncle Buck]

Wow, that guy is a wealth of information, I know what he has to say is accurate info because I already knew some of this stuff, but thanks just the same.

 

[Thumper]

LMAO.......does the game trivial pursuit have a tool section? Great info anyways........damn......now I'll go around checking Craftsman screwdriver handles.......

 

[kartracer55]

thumper your not kidding... Its interesting to see hwo all the different tool companies tie together

 

[z28toz06]

Dont forget Baldor, American I believe, makes grinders and such.

 

[Der Bugmeister]

For us Canucks, let's not forget Canadian Tire's marquee brand of MasterCraft. The professional series carries the same lifetime guarantee as Craftsman. Canadian Tire even honours the Craftsman guarantee, replacing broken tools with MasterCraft equivalents...whether that's a good thing or bad thing is probably personal choice. Certainly more convenient for me, anyhow.

As for tool origins, I've just bought a couple air nail guns. The Craftsman from Sears Canada is made in Taiwan and the Bostitch is assembled in the US using domestic and imported components.

 

[kartracer55]

For us Canucks, let's not forget Canadian Tire's marquee brand of MasterCraft. The professional series carries the same lifetime guarantee as Craftsman. Canadian Tire even honours the Craftsman guarantee, replacing broken tools with MasterCraft equivalents...whether that's a good thing or bad thing is probably personal choice. Certainly more convenient for me, anyhow.

As for tool origins, I've just bought a couple air nail guns. The Craftsman from Sears Canada is made in Taiwan and the Bostitch is assembled in the US using domestic and imported components.

I know the brand, but I cant find anything about them!!!! Do you know whos makign the master craft? Also, Who makes sears canadas hand tools, and where are they made? Thanks!

Jim

 

[Der Bugmeister]

I think both Sears Canada and Canadian Tire contract the manufacture of different tools out to different name brands...it all depends on the tool. Unfortunately I don't know who they're sourcing through, but it would be interesting to know.

 

[kartracer55]

yup, thats why we have this thread... were trying to figure it all out. Do you know where the hand tools are made? I know the boxes are from International, and are made in Canada, but thats all I know about the sears canada line

Jim

 

[Jared]

Gray hand tools are also made in canada

 

[dink]

I guess I should throw in a couple names here


Enkay.....small precision style hand tools and accessories.....mainly made in China
Ivy Classic......Powertool accessory line....powertool accessories are made in house the hand tools are made in China



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