US made Hammer impacts?

[Outlawmws]

I've had an imported (Taiwan) Hammer impact for about a long as I have had automotive tools. (had to have SOMETHING before I finally got an impact wrench...). I still use them in selected uses, as they are a better tool for those applications, (Philips fasteners in general, but MC cases in particular, and the door hinges on Samurais)

A month or so ago I got one that was US made in the last big tool box buy. Made by H.K Porter Mfg.

Today I picked up what has to be an older hammer impact and it was also US made, but for Craftsman.

Both differ quite a bit on look feel and hot it works from an exterior perspective.

Until those two I'd NEVER seen one made in the USA...

So How many other people have US made Hammer impacts, and who made them? Who has imported Hammer impacts?

Top one is Taiwan, the middle is the Porter, and the bottom is the Craftsman. the shank visible on the craftsman is flat on one side (and looks like a great way to collect a blood blister...)

 

[darkzero]

What did you mean by hammer impact? We you taking about an impact hammer like an air hammer/air chisel or since you mentioned philips did you an impact driver for screws like the kind you hit with a hammer?

 

[tinbender 66]

Ya made me run out to the garage in the dark 'cuz I thought I knew what I had but wasn't sure. It says Craftsman, made in USA with #947634. I've used the heck out of it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Oops, forgot the pics; Sorry, Fixed now...

 

[7.62]

What did you mean by hammer impact? We you taking about an impact hammer like an air hammer/air chisel or since you mentioned philips did you an impact driver for screws like the kind you hit with a hammer?

I believe he's referring to what I would call an impact driver.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-29200.aspx

That's the one I have, though I have no idea what it's COO is. Presumably somewhere in Asia. I use it only occasionally, and it's worked fine so far.

Edit: Yeah, those.

 

[Outlawmws]

Ya made me run out to the garage in the dark 'cuz I thought I knew what I had but wasn't sure. It says Craftsman, made in USA with #947634. I've used the heck out of it.

That's the exact Model No. of the Craftsman I picked up today. Any clue when you bought yours?

 

[tinbender 66]

I'm not sure when I got mine. I know I bought it new and I'm sure it was before we moved to this house so all I can tell you is prior to 1989. Actually, I'm sure I bought for something on my Jeep which was gone in '85. Is that vague enough for ya lol.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I had a HF (China) one, now I have a Mac (USA)... Big difference in the driver and bits. The HF one worked a few times then just sucked after that.

 

[Outlawmws]

It's enough of a ball park, thanks!

 

[lwlobo]

I have a matco set that is US made, I think. I bought my Dad one off CL, just like the Taiwan one you show, outlaw, because he kept needing mine while working on his motorcycle.

I found a nice Vessel (looks just like Outlaws Taiwan driver, but made in Japan) driver at a garage sale a few years ago but passed it along in the GJ Secret Santa after refilling the case with Apex bits.

 

[bindernut]

I had a proto, not sure where it was made. Borrowed a snap on from a coworker, next time the snap on truck cMe through, guess what I bought? Dad took my proto, but I'm pretty sure he had me get him a snap on. Also have dad's old Vessel.

 

[darkzero]

I got my impact driver from Sears around 2000-2001, by Lisle made in USA. I believe I paid $15-$20 for it. Was one of those things that I wanted but didn't want to pay a lot for. Ended up using it quite often & it never failed on me. Googled it & looks like they still make it.

I do remember that the Snap-On driver we had in the shop, you would turn the direction you wanted & it would set in place. My Lisle driver is spring loaded, you would turn the direction you want & have to hold it there then strike with a hammer. That's one of the things I like about the Snap-On better.

But with the Snap-On there was no bit holder like the Lisle. It used a 3/8" drive like a socket with the bit pressed into it. The shank on the bit was much longer than the bits used in the Lisle & we broke them often. Of course our dealer would just press in new bits or replace when needed. With the Lisle & the shorter shanks I've only broke one of the bits a few times but I can't remember using it on anything else than Honda rotors. Since the Lisle had a bit holder, replacements were cheap but not free.

 

[DWise]

I also have the Craftsman 9-47634. I bought mine in 1973.

 

[mvptrukin]

Bought my PIT120 years ago from SO trk ,though I think it is badged Blue Point made in USA--haven't used it in years. Always had access to air at work or home shop but it came in handy during junk yard trips or off-road repairs. Now with the advent of great cordless impacts I wouldn't waste my money on an impact driver-- no matter where it was made! I used to carry a small CO2 tank to run my air tools in the same situations but now that setup just collects dust. The main part on the SO one that wears out is the spring and you can't buy it anymore!

 

[EvilWelder]

I have a few old Craftsman ones in the yellow vinyl pouch, hard to say no when they are new at a garage sale for 5 bucks.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I have an older USA made Mac and a more recent Taiwanese Westward. They both do their job well, but I have noticed the Westward doesn't have as much "oomph" as the Mac does.

 

[kc-steve]

I've had a Japanese impact driver since the 1980s and never used it. Recently though I have bought a couple of used US-made KD drivers that work much better, meaning when I finally got around to using the Japanese driver it made a blood blister in my hand. The KD drivers have not yet done that, but then again, I'm much more careful about using them now too.

Although I have an air compressor and air ratchet, these hand impact drivers have uses where the air stuff just doesn't work as well. Stay with the USA stuff.

Steve

 

[canuckian]

Snap on 3/8 and 1/2 sets....both US made

 

[transittech]

Older Mac and newer SO EPIT208. Haven't used either since buying a 1/4 battery impact.

 

[oldtools]

MAC 3/8, Proto 3/8, Lisle, HF. So far, I have only used the HF.

 

[ndoran]

Snap on 1/2 inch that I use with an old draper bit holder that I have owned for over 30 years.

Also have a one from Princess Auto tat holds standard screwdriver bits - surprisingly it works better than it sounds. Useful for tight spaces.

 

[TOOLFREEQ]

the snapon impact drivers are very bad for breaking bits dont know why? maybe its the bits maybe the driver somehow. my dealer always replaced the broken bits he also noted he replaces the driver bits alot!! I got sick of it and got a matco its great and I havent broken a bit yet. I did have a Taiwan made performace tool brand impact driver never had any problems with it but it didnt have many bits so I bought the snapon bad idea looking back but I love my matco and it has a large variety of bits

i

 

[otis66]

I've had an imported (Taiwan) Hammer impact for about a long as I have had automotive tools. (had to have SOMETHING before I finally got an impact wrench...). I still use them in selected uses, as they are a better tool for those applications, (Philips fasteners in general, but MC cases in particular, and the door hinges on Samurais)

A month or so ago I got one that was US made in the last big tool box buy. Made by H.K Porter Mfg.

Today I picked up what has to be an older hammer impact and it was also US made, but for Craftsman.

Both differ quite a bit on look feel and hot it works from an exterior perspective.

Until those two I'd NEVER seen one made in the USA...

So How many other people have US made Hammer impacts, and who made them? Who has imported Hammer impacts?

Top one is Taiwan, the middle is the Porter, and the bottom is the Craftsman. the shank visible on the craftsman is flat on one side (and looks like a great way to collect a blood blister...)

I bought my Snap On Impact in 1992 along with the bit adaptor.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Been looking for a good US-made one for some time, actually. As a point of caution, those at Sears/Craftsman today are no longer US-made, they are US-assembled from global components. I tried to find some US-made, but all they had left were the global ones.

My father has an older Craftsman set, if memory serves, that is US-made and he's beaten on that thing for years. Surprisingly, it works very well for tackling bolted-on vise jaws that are long rusted into place.

 

[tawhite]

I bought a Craftsman 3/8" close to thirty years ago. Didn't use it that often, but was glad I had it about twice a year.

A few years ago, I couldn't find it. Bought a 3/8" and later a 1/2" from McMaster Carr. Both are Jawco (Jaw Manufacturing Company -also have a thread restoring file from them).

Found the old Craftsman about 2 weeks ago in another toolbox.


taw

 

[Toolman 1912]

I have and would choose an H.K. Porter impact driver always! My dad help make those tools at their ppant in Boston in the 1960s. Any import one I would throw out!

 

[Outlawmws]

Man, the poll is still active near 8 years later!

 

[vssjim]

I have and would choose an H.K. Porter impact driver always! My dad help make those tools at their ppant in Boston in the 1960s. Any import one I would throw out!

They still make them and list them in their catalog

 

[senlow]

Well, since this thread has been resurrected I'll play. I have two Snap-on manual impacts that are US made.

 

[rustyjames]

I have a Snapon 3/8" set that I bought in the early 80's.

 

[BiggityBen]

i have a Lisle 3/8" that i bought off the Cornwell truck, i believe it is USA made. i never even used it, though, so no comment on its quality