Tools from Taiwan

[whitemamba]

I will tell you that recycled steel must be lower quality as I am a longshoremen and we export scrap to Asia and bring in steel slabs from Russia and Mexico for the local Oregon steel mill

 

[monomach]

I agree relations are very strained at times between the two, but Taiwan does more import and export business with China than the US. Poke around here for more info:

http://cus93.trade.gov.tw/ENGLISH/FSCE/

JR

If you get into the breakdowns, it's a really lopsided trade imbalance. They export way more to China than they import. The imports from China are almost all from two categories:

"electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles"

and

"nuclear reactors, boilers machinery and machanical appliances; parts thereof"

It says iron and steel account for only 5% of imports, and that's a 37% increase over last year.

So, basically Taiwan gets TVs, toaster ovens, and ipods from China.

 

[Spinaker01]

Although i do have complete sets of snap on impact sockets, lately I've been putting some serious thought into purchasing impact sockets of Taiwanese brand, i.e. sunex, gp, Williams (tiawan)

Impact driven sockets, bits, etc are the only Taiwan tools I'll purchase.

Sunex impacts sockets are excellent. I have been using a set for almost 20 years ( as a hobbyist)

 

[Wakefield]

bring in steel slabs from Russia

that might be the good stuff if all the American sources are shut down

they made T-34s out of it didn't they?

I suspect reprocessed contains traces of other materials and metals that might help to organize local galvanic corrosion areas as compared against virgin iron ore/steel and how thorough is the purification process in the reprocessing? Just melt'er down and roll it out or cast it into ingots?

 

[d.mcfarland]

+1 !! It's all about the design, materials, fabrication process, quality control, and company culture. I definitely prefer to buy USA because I like to try and keep jobs and companies in the US. But, the US has no unquestionable lock on well made tools.

Excellent point. Thanks for the added viewpoint.

The quality of any product is dependent on the "people" who sit on the board of directors at any company on the planet. I'll leave it at that.

Thanks for nothing. Seriously.

 

[rice rocket]

The quality of any product is dependent on the "people" who sit on the board of directors at any company on the planet. I'll leave it at that.

This is the only correct statement in this entire thread.

 

[rice rocket]

You guys are all caught up in exactly which country it comes out of, but really it's more a reflection on how much a company is willing to spend on labor than anything. There are good workers/workplaces/quality control in China, just as there are bad ones. And same here. This forum has a raging ***** for Milwaukee stuff, all made in China. Bosch stuff? 90% made in China.

Then you look at some of the wide range of defective items that SK sent for SK day (to tool enthusiasts nonetheless, who would notice such things), and it makes you wonder....

I'm all for American manufacturing, I'm all for boosting our economy with well paying jobs, but be cognizant of blanket statements that you all try to throw out, there's plenty of holes to be poked in your blankets.

/rant

 

[rice rocket]

Full disclosure, I own all Milwaukee cordless tools, Bosch saws, and I participated in SK day. And I own a Snap-On tool box and a smathering of Snap-On tools.

 

[BK13]

Seems like lately, just about everything I've picked up has been Taiwanese...
GW 1/4" sockets
HF 'Pro' ratchets x4

I'd love to buy more American stuff. But it's just not available locally (well, except a little at Sears), at least that I have found. I suppose I need to be a little more organized to where I don't 'need it right now' so I can order Wright, Proto, or SK (or German, or Japanese) stuff off the interwebs.

 

[d.mcfarland]

You guys are all caught up in exactly which country it comes out of, but really it's more a reflection on how much a company is willing to spend on labor than anything. There are good workers/workplaces/quality control in China, just as there are bad ones. And same here. This forum has a raging ***** for Milwaukee stuff, all made in China. Bosch stuff? 90% made in China.

Then you look at some of the wide range of defective items that SK sent for SK day (to tool enthusiasts nonetheless, who would notice such things), and it makes you wonder....

I'm all for American manufacturing, I'm all for boosting our economy with well paying jobs, but be cognizant of blanket statements that you all try to throw out, there's plenty of holes to be poked in your blankets.

/rant

This is for the TOOLS, not the corporations and conglomerates that are trying to make a profit. I don't think anyone made a blanket statement saying that every American tool is fantastic, or China can't make a useable tool.

The idea was that for those who don't want to drop a paycheck on an item, there is likely an imported alternative that can withstand the stress we give it, and live up to the expectations we have in our heads.

 

[sasquatch12]

Gotta agree, the taiwan tools are just as good as N. American made. (They never used to be, but they cleaned up their act, and now have just as good a product at 1/2 the price.) The average guy trying to raise a family and keep up with alll other expenses just cannot start paying N American prices.

 

[rice rocket]

I don't think anyone made a blanket statement saying that every American tool is fantastic, or China can't make a useable tool.

So you're just replacing one blanket statement with another?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Anyone else becoming more and more impressed with tools that are made in Taiwan? [...] They did the job just fine for me.

That was my statement.

 

[Cato]

I have to say I am not impressed with Snap-On quality for some of their stuff. I'm on my 3rd(waiting for the 4th to come in) 3/4" drive 1-3/8 socket. First one the chrome was coming off. Second one the release button was missing and seemed to be unfinished in that area. The third one has a big nick on the top of the socket. Hopefully the forth will be ok. This set was $3500. I expected much better.

I'm not impressed with Snap On quality either. After all the folks who claim Snap On is the best tool out there, I thought I'd give it a try. I noticed NASA and the Air Force use it - there must be something to Snap On.

I bought a flank drive combo wrench set and three of the wrenches had flaking chrome. I thought at that price ($235 for seven wrenches) Snap On would have hired someone to check them before they hit the market. With all the money they make, I assumed they had some computer system that scanned the wrenches. But no, no computer nor little old lady working quality control. If Snap On did have someone on Q/C, he must have been drunk or asleep. I wonder where else in the manufacturing process someone was asleep or intoxicated.

Then it wasn't easy to return since I bought it online. They kept telling me to return it to my Snap On guy. I told them over and over I bought it online, but I guess that was excessively confusing for the phone rep. Another issue was that one Snap On rep told me chrome wasn't warrantied. I told the guy that the wrenches were brand new! They had never touched a fastener. I got transferred around and ended up with someone in authority and with some decision making skills and I finally got my replacement set. So these are the American jobs I'm supporting by buying Snap On?

Compare that to my Husky wrench set I bought about five years ago for $20. I walked into Home Depot, picked them right off the self, walked over to the cashier, paid for them and got years of perfect chrome and usage. They have served me in oil changes, putting together furniture, work benches, and assorted auto maintenance on my families vehicles.

 

[jeffhay]

If you go out of your way and go through the pain in the *** of ordering up some Toptul, you'll get even higher quality. I've used their wrenches and I'd say they're on par with the old US-made Craftsman Professional/Armstrong full polish that no one on earth will say a bad word about.

No one would go broke using Taiwan steel to make a living.

I've been to the Toptul store in Taiwan to play with some of their tools. I was really impressed. Locally, the company positions itself as the premium brand among all the other local offerings, and their tool prices reflect that. They are not in the US because they thought it would be difficult to sell at a higher price point compared with all the other made in Taiwan tools already here, when all carry the same "Made in Taiwan" stigma.

A few years back, I ordered some Toptul screwdrivers and ratcheting box wrenches from Wren Tool who used to be on this forum. I like them a lot, especially their satin finish. The tools seem to be very difficult to get ahold of and the dealers only sell what they think is worth importing. They don't stock the whole line. Toptul makes some fine stuff. I wish I could get more.

I got an SAE set by Gearwrench because Toptul was unavailable. GW is good, but I think Toptul is a little better.

 

[Krician]

A bit random but something I want to share. Just started 9 months ago in a foreign auto shop. All my Co workers seem to be hypnotized by the tool trucks... I haven't bought any tools off them till this day. Instead I hit amazon for my gearwrench ratchets, my GP sockets, OTC for my master torx set, etc. . And something I really appreciate- my sister's boyfriend and my friend working at harbor freight, and paying me back for favors with 3/8 earthquake gun. 1/2 earthquake gun. And my most prized item- the 5 drawer service cart. How can you refuse to be gifted with all those for free and not use them? Now all my Co workers annoy the cap out of me when they see me working and they just stare at the tools I have.. they always 'threaten' that I bought junk and I'm not 'pro' because I don't have tool truck brands. As much as I tell them 'hey... you know this was rebadged as your tool etc..' but they just see it as a load of bs coming from a 19 year old telling a 30 year old.. and that everything bought online is from china. .. what is it with these people!? I mean I understand, being St my age, we grew into online shopping when our elders did not have onine shopping back then. One thing that really ticked me off.. I was doing brakes on a mercedes, I was using my craftsman wrench to breat loose the caliper bracket bolt. My Co woworker happens to see me and stops me.. tells me no no no use this snap on, you'll break your wrench. WHAT THE FCK.

Another thing, keep my box as organized as a woman's make up box. My ratchets evenly spread out and everything. The snap om guy came around and looked in my box.. I saw him pick up my gearwrench ratchet look at the logo on the handle then just threw it back in my box... He noticed that I was watching him the whole time. He went up to me and said 'wow keep this up and you might actually call yourself a mechanic....

 

[Fedwrench]

You do well to stay off of a tool truck. You are wiser than your years. A long, long time ago in my misspent youth, tool trucks were the only source for real mechanics tools. Their tools had mystical powers like flank drive and they were the only source for certain sizes or things. Flash forward to the internet age, with expired tool patents, and this is no longer the case. The fact is that non truck brands have gotten much better and narrowed the quality/performance gap.
Don't get me wrong the trucks offer pay while you earn credit, truck to you service, and great tools but, I think the internet has changed technician's buying habits. That and technician wages not really keeping up with the price of truck brand tools. All that matters is that your tools serve you well day after day and never let you down.

 

[d4dawg]

The snap on guy came around and looked in my box.. I saw him pick up my gearwrench ratchet look at the logo on the handle then just threw it back in my box... He noticed that I was watching him the whole time. He went up to me and said 'wow keep this up and you might actually call yourself a mechanic....

That's downright disrespectful. Just ignore these idiots and be really happy that you're not in debt to the tool truck guys.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

That's downright disrespectful. Just ignore these idiots and be really happy that you're not in debt to the tool truck guys.

Dont fall into that trap. Good on you for staying away from the truck. There are plenty of guys who spent 30-50 grand on a trade school, then spent 15-30 grand on box and tools while they start out making 10 bucks an hour. Not too bright.

 

[bcradio]

that might be the good stuff if all the American sources are shut down

they made T-34s out of it didn't they?

I suspect reprocessed contains traces of other materials and metals that might help to organize local galvanic corrosion areas as compared against virgin iron ore/steel and how thorough is the purification process in the reprocessing? Just melt'er down and roll it out or cast it into ingots?

Play video games much?

 

[bcradio]

This is the only correct statement in this entire thread.

False!!!

But it is one of the correct statements.

 

[Doohickey]

I disagree... the absolute top quality hand tools I own are Taiwan made (Triangle Tools). They are perfect in virtually every respect including fitment and finish. The Snap-On tools I own are great, but these are a notch above them quality wise. Same goes for my German made hand tools.

Other Taiwan brands I own are not nearly as good though.

I thought the high prices on these were funny considering where they are made.

After buying some on clearance, I think the prices were justified and wish they had a wider selection available in the U.S.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Anyone have Taiwan sockets they can compare to USA ones?

I'm thinking of grabbing a 1/2 drive metric socket set and not sure what's worth the money or not.

 

[erty67]

Anyone have Taiwan sockets they can compare to USA ones?

I'm thinking of grabbing a 1/2 drive metric socket set and not sure what's worth the money or not.

I use the HF pittsburgh pro sockets and beat on them as much as my craftsmans. No broken ones yet. pretty good for a DIYer.

 

[Hako86]

My experience with tools from Taiwan are really good. The price is often very attractive and most tools have a lifetime warranty. The chrome on sockets and extensions is often better than my USA made Craftsman. My only complain about those tools is that sockets often fit very sloppy on ratchets and extensions.
Other than that I'm pretty impressed by Taiwanese made tools!
China tools are an absolute disaster in my opinion...

 

[d.mcfarland]

My only complain about those tools is that sockets often fit very sloppy on ratchets and extensions.

What about fit on the fastener? A lot of place claim to have surface drive so on and so forth, but without a proper fit, it isn't worth anything.

 

[Ruger_556]

Anyone have Taiwan sockets they can compare to USA ones?

I'm thinking of grabbing a 1/2 drive metric socket set and not sure what's worth the money or not.

Carlyle has held up much better for my use than US Craftsman, I think I broke every size up to 5/8 and the ones that didn't split started rounding bolts off (These are 6 point sockets mind you).

 

[joe_267]

Funny you should mention Taiwan made tools. My father recently passed away and I am going through all his old tools. Found this made made in Taiwan metric socket set from the 60s or 70s he kept..

The box says Japan, but the tools are stamped Taiwan. Go figure..

 

[joe_267]

I wonder about the steel. Does it come from a different place than it did in 1980? Haven't a lot of the places in Pittsburgh and Bethlehem closed since then? Were those where the tool steel came from? Is any tool steel made in Ohio?
Could some of the steel being used now in USA be imported? Does the steel used in Taiwan come from somewhere else? From the USA even?
Someone I know had one of the first Honda Accords ever made,when it started rusting he said it was the fault of reprocessed steel. As if it had been made of recycled stuff.

Just an anecdote, but my Grandfather worked at Wisconsin Steel in Chicago, for 40 some years. He told me around 1978-80 they were scrapping more steel than they were selling. By then, the lack of investment in new furnaces etc. , was really starting to show. Lots of garbage steel. Wisconsin Steel shut down right about 1980 as well.

 

[gbh]

Another thing, keep my box as organized as a woman's make up box. My ratchets evenly spread out and everything. The snap om guy came around and looked in my box.. I saw him pick up my gearwrench ratchet look at the logo on the handle then just threw it back in my box... He noticed that I was watching him the whole time. He went up to me and said 'wow keep this up and you might actually call yourself a mechanic....

Maybe it's about time you stepped onto a tool truck...and treated this jack offs tools in the same manner he thought it was okay to do with your tools.

 

[Hako86]

What about fit on the fastener? A lot of place claim to have surface drive so on and so forth, but without a proper fit, it isn't worth anything.

The fit on the fastener is as good as my USA made Craftsman, but not as good as my Proto USA sockets.