US Made Sockets, Wrenches, Rachets Finds

[pauls_workshop]

Hey guys, for the newer mechanics or DIY types who don't already have some good made in USA high quality tools or can use more or fill ins, we've been doing good work over in Hot Deals listing good Ebay finds:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275031&page=12

Mostly SAE sets but also some Metric, only good made in USA brands listed. 4 Cycle has been leading the efforts. If you don't know about the older good brands or current good USA brands, take a look. You can often get the good stuff, much higher quality than most offshore modern tools, for less than new offshore tools, even China. There is really no reason for any GJ'ers to settle for foreign SAE sets of tools when you can get USA for not much money. Brands like SK, Proto, Bonney, Thorsen, Herbrand, Indestro/Duro, New Britain (Husky, Blackhawk, NAPA), Wright, Wilde, Channellock, US Craftsman, Klein, and little known good US military brands like Promerica, Kal, JS. - Paul

 

[anndel]

Great info, thanks!

 

[gearhead1]

Nice, thanks!

 

[four.cycle]

thanks Paul.
a note:
I spend way too much time on Ebay.
I poke through all the ads daily, looking for particular items. The stuff I'm posting in the "Hot Deal" thread is stuff that looks good to me, but is not necessarily something I need or want presently.
I am only posting stuff that appears to be in decent condition, is US-made, and isn't a mish-mash of mixed brands.
I pay no attention to ads for Snap-on, Matco, Mac, or Cornwell (because Ebay stuff is invariably ridiculously over-priced anyway, even without shipping costs.)

It's really not difficult to find stuff on there if you use the "advanced" search option to weed out what you don't want to look at. On any given day there are dozens, if not hundreds, of new ads posted just for socket sets.
Just using the standard "search" function for "socket set" gets a flood of stuff that's mostly fluff, and I just don't have time to pick through that many.

I post a lot of that stuff for guys who need good tools and don't want to shell out a fortune. Hence the lion's share of it is Craftsman.
If you see something I've posted there and don't recognize the brand name, go to Google and search "brand name Garage Journal" and odds are you'll find a half-dozen threads discussing that particular brand. (i.e., "VIM" or "JS tool" or "KAL".)

 

[pauls_workshop]

I think 4C you are finding many of the "gems" on ebay for the good US made tools. Whatever your method, it is not easily repeatable for most people, esp those who don't yet know what to be looking for. Very valuable for the younger GJ members or just those wanting to find out what is out there in the good US made tools! - Paul

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Is there any use for SAE hand tools anymore?? Even all American cars are metric now unless you are into restorations?? Just wanted to know???

 

[Jazz1]

Is there any use for SAE hand tools anymore?? Even all American cars are metric now unless you are into restorations?? Just wanted to know???

Well I finally learned something today..I thought the only North American cars with metric nuts were in Canada.. I sleep better now knowing you folks also have to put up with metric and having to double the size of your tool kit!

 

[davethorik]

Well I finally learned something today..I thought the only North American cars with metric nuts were in Canada.. I sleep better now knowing you folks also have to put up with metric and having to double the size of your tool kit!

My 1st car was a 1989 Buick Lesabre. The water pump on that car had half metric, half sae bolts. Never knew what size you'd need with that thing.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Is there any use for SAE hand tools anymore?? Even all American cars are metric now unless you are into restorations?? Just wanted to know???

Cars not so much anymore. Supposed to be all metric for years, but there are some occasional exceptions. But for any DIY stuff SAE is still plenty needed. I like to work on small engines and such and it is nearly all SAE. But we are finding metric deals on the thread too, just not as plentiful as the SAE. Take a look. And then lots of universal tools like pliers and such too. - Paul

 

[nutsnbolts]

Is there any use for SAE hand tools anymore?? Even all American cars are metric now unless you are into restorations?? Just wanted to know???

I work at a hospital in the Building & Engineering department. We work on boilers, feed pumps, air handlers, etc. and nearly everything is SAE

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I have always said hit your local flea market or swap meet.. What ever it's called in your area.. Garage sales.. For best American tools hit your local estates sales as most of these tools were bought before even China or Taiwan existed... Go hunting... Good luck

 

[Banshee365]

Is there any use for SAE hand tools anymore?? Even all American cars are metric now unless you are into restorations?? Just wanted to know???

Most every fastener in aviation is SAE.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have picked up a lot of gems (as well as some junk) at estate auctions. It seems that the auctioneers know the junk wont sell, so it gets mixed in with the better tools in box lots.

I have a number of kids, and now grand kids whose 1st tool box was populated by asian imports that I didn't want/need