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What Craftsman Tools are USA made?

bmxdad

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Puyallup, WA
Searched and could not find anything ... but how do you determine what tools are made in the USA .... and are they better then anything else?

Are there certain types or names to look for, like professional or mechanics, raised or smooth?
 
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Leadberry

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Akron, OH
Searched and could not find anything ... but how do you determine what tools are made in the USA .... and are they better then anything else?

Are there certain types or names to look for, like professional or mechanics, raised or smooth?

The ones that say USA on them. Seriously, it's a toss up. There's no easy answer to this question.
 

madcrisis

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Dec 3, 2013
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I got a set of torx driver that were usa today. It also said it on the website. While in the store I did some perusing and noticed all of the screwdriver sets I saw were all stil USA. Dont know if its just my sears or not.
 

XxToolAholicxX

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SF **** Bay Northern California
Screwdrivers that are made by Western Forge and Pratt Reed are all USA made. Wrenches Sockets, Ratchets that say MADE IN USA are made here. If not made here it will say MADE IN CHINA. The one I cant understand says MADE IN USA of Global Components.

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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit
 

AV tinker er

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SoCal
Still some NOS available here and there. Probably many single wrenches available and sockets. CM pro ratchets, you might be able to find the Wilde or Mayhew made pry bars still. This isn't an inclusive list. Watch eBay, a lot of USA CM on there.
 

wait4me

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Jun 4, 2011
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Location
Pensacola, FL
Yeah, what they said. Adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers made by western forge are US. (not the mini pliers, those are just awful). Some of the measurement stuff (combination squares etc) made by empire are still US. Some of their hammers I think are still US. The pro ratchets are US. All line wrenches, sockets, and ratchets aside from the pro ratchets have gone to china though. Standard pry bars are china. All the christmas gimmick stuff is china.
 

darkzero

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SoCal
All the ones that are not made by them. :lol:

Seriously I have no idea but that's what it seems like. Well I suppose they really don't actually make any of their tools.
 

whitedogone

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I need a CM socket set. If I was to buy on ebay, how do I tell if it's usa or not?
 

bob15

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. The one I cant understand says MADE IN USA of Global Components.

A simple way to look at that would be a wrench. It might be forged in the US, but using imported steel. Or an item might have a handle from Canada, a guard made in mexico and the rest made in the US, but because the percentage on US materials means it cannot be called "made in USA" by law.

How to understand the "made in" law:
http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus03-complying-made-usa-standard
 

bob15

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Northeasten, CT
Last I heard Apex is no longer part of Danaher anymore. Just bought an Armstrong (Apex) wrench a few weeks ago, still made in the USA.

taken from Wiki......

Apex tool group includes:

Allen – Hex keys,
Armstrong Tools – Industrial hand tools,
Atkins – Hacksaws
Belzer – Mechanic's hand tools
Campbell – Manufactures chains and clamps.
Caulkmaster – Pneumatic dispensing guns.
Collins – Machetes, shovels, and axes
Crescent – Produces general hand tools and tool sets.
Delta – tool boxes
Diamond – Horseshoes and farrier tools.
Erem – Precision pliers.
GearWrench – Ratcheting wrenches and hand tools,
H.K. Porter – Bolt and cable cutters.
Iseli – Precision matched parts
Jacob's Chuck – drill chucks
JOBOX – truck boxes and site storage
K-D Tools – mechanic's hand and specialty tools
K&F – files and rasps
Kahnetics – Dispensing systems.
Lufkin – Manufactures measuring tools such as calipers, gauges, micrometers, and measuring tapes.
Mayle – Mechanic's hand tools
Nicholson – Produces files, rasps, and saws.
Plumb – Striking tools, such as hammers, axes, and chisels.
SATA – Mechanic's hand tools.
Spline Gauges – gauges
Weller – Soldering tools.
Wire-wrap – Electrical connection equipment.
Wiss – Scissors and snips.
Xcelite – Electronics tools such as general and specialized screwdrivers and pliers.

The Apex Tool Group Power Tool Division is headquartered in Lexington, South Carolina. It is made up of the following brands:

Airetool – tube cleaners and expanders
Apex – production impact sockets, bits, and universal joints
Buckeye – material embossing
Cleco – assembly tools
Cooper Automation – automated fastening systems
DGD – automated systems
Doler – advanced drilling equipment
Dotco – material removal tools
Geta
Master Power – industrial air tools
Metronix – Servos, drivers, and speed controls
Quackenbush – advanced drilling equipment
Recoules – drilling tools
Rotor – assembly equipment
Utica – torque measurement and control tools



Danaher

Test & Measurement:
Amprobe
Arbor Networks
Fluke
Comark
Datapaq
DH Instruments
Hart Scientific
Janos Technology
Ircon
Raytek
Datapaq
Fluke Networks
Visual Network Systems Ltd
Keithley Instruments
Tektronix
Tektronix Communications
VSS Monitoring[18]
Environmental
ChemTreat
Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Gasboy
Red Jacket
Veeder-Root
Hach
Environmental Test Systems
GLI
HACH LANGE
HIAC
Polymetron
Hydrolab
Lachat Instruments
Marsh-McBirney
MET ONE
Orbisphere
Radiometer Analytical
Trojan Technologies
WetLabs
Seabird Electronics
Satlantic
Dental
DEXIS
Gendex
KaVo
Kerr
Ormco
Pelton & Crane
PaloDEx
Instrumentarium Dental
Soredex
Total Care
Life Sciences & Diagnostics
AB Sciex
Hemocue
Beckman Coulter
Leica Biosystems
Leica Microsystems
Molecular Devices
Radiometer
Industrial Technologies
Danaher Motion
Dover
Kollmorgen
Calzoni
Portescap
Scientific Hexis
Thomson
Danaher Specialty Products
Linx Printing Technologies[19]
Qualitrol
Videojet
X-Rite
Pantone[20]
Esko Graphics

More Danaher:

ALLTEC | FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving Solutions [21]
Anderson Negele
Anderson Instrument
Negele Messtechnik
Armstrong Tools- In October 2012 Danaher and Cooper sold Apex to Bain Capital for about $1.6 billion.
Dolan Jenner
Dynapar
Northstar
Harowe
Hengstler
ELE
Gems Sensors & Controls
G&L Motion Control, Inc
Hengstler
Hennessy Industries
Imaging Sciences International
Invetech
Jacobs Vehicle Systems
Joslyn Clark
Matco Tools
McCrometer
Navman Wireless
Qualitrol
Iris Power
Neoptix
Robin Electronics
Setra Systems
Sonix
SybronEndo
Teletrac
Venture Measurement
Bindicator
Kistler-Morse
Levelite
Niagara Meters
West Control Solutions
CAL Controls
Partlow
PMA
West Instruments
 

HandToolGuy

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The tool does not have to be marked w/ country of origin. The rule is either mark the product or note it on the retail packaging.
 
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BDT/NWMN

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Erskine, Mn
Over the years, manufacturers have produced products for Sears in factories around the world... Having the Craftsman name is what they mostly have in common.. Made in USA is not as common as in the past.. Check out their USA hammers on your next visit.. :thumbup: There are still USA products at Sears, but I use a flea market approach, and sort carefully like I always have.
 

Sirnick

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Feb 22, 2010
Messages
40
Location
Northwest Ohio
Its a ****-shoot! What is made in the USA today could/will be made "elsewhere" tomorrow. Hell, Sears can even keep up with the county of origin on their tools. Best you can do is monitor Garage Journal to see what the latest news is.:dunno:
 

Alinnh

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Dec 30, 2012
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Location
New Hampshire
I was just at sears yesterday replacing a few ratchets and sockets. All the sockets and ratchets that I checked were made in china. I had to take what they had not much of a choice if I wanted to replace the broken tools. The cashier gave no problem with replacements. He rings them up on the register and says wow you saved $85. I said would be better if they were still USA made he look confused. Then some 20 something guy in a quickly lube uniform in line said all the best tools are made in china now!! He was serious . I tried talking to him but he had no clue. I just left shaking my head.
 

BDT/NWMN

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Erskine, Mn
I was just at sears yesterday replacing a few ratchets and sockets. All the sockets and ratchets that I checked were made in china. I had to take what they had not much of a choice if I wanted to replace the broken tools. The cashier gave no problem with replacements. He rings them up on the register and says wow you saved $85. I said would be better if they were still USA made he look confused. Then some 20 something guy in a quickly lube uniform in line said all the best tools are made in china now!! He was serious . I tried talking to him but he had no clue. I just left shaking my head.

His nighttime job is a comedian...
 

AA/FC

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Dec 9, 2010
Messages
2,080
I bought a 12 piece double box end metric RP wrench set last week from the Sears website...... Every wrench was stamped USA. :D
 

wild cowboy

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Birmingham
I need a CM socket set. If I was to buy on ebay, how do I tell if it's usa or not?
the ebay sellers, and there are many, are quick to trumpet the fact when their sockets or other Craftsman tools are made in USA - so it will be quite apparent in the auction listing & photos!
 

wild cowboy

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I was just at sears yesterday replacing a few ratchets and sockets. All the sockets and ratchets that I checked were made in china. I had to take what they had not much of a choice if I wanted to replace the broken tools. The cashier gave no problem with replacements. He rings them up on the register and says wow you saved $85. I said would be better if they were still USA made he look confused. Then some 20 something guy in a quickly lube uniform in line said all the best tools are made in china now!! He was serious . I tried talking to him but he had no clue. I just left shaking my head.
that's strange, I was at one of the rare BIG Sears stores a couple of weeks ago and had to replace about 40 different sockets, and well as several pliers, extensions, auto specialty tools, vice grip type locking pliers, and screwdrivers

all of the individual sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, and specialty tools were still USA, the extensions and vise grip type pliers were China, so I passed on those.

in fact, ALL of the hundreds of individual sockets hanging on the wall were made in USA
 

whitedogone

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Jan 20, 2014
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230
Ask the seller. I do it for stuff all the time (both B&M companies & e-bay). If they answer, great. If not, skip that person/auction and move on to another

Thanks. Is there some kind of marking system for sockets. I'm clueless except I am sure that the sets I have now are us because of age.
 

garthg

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Winchester MA
The USA made tools almost always say USA on them. You can still find a few USA items in old stock. I picked up a set of USA-made combination wrenches (6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14mm) for $9.95. It was the last USA box in a set of otherwise identical China boxes, but the box, unlike the others, was labeled "Forever" and Made in USA. My Sears Home and Hardware store (Cedar Knolls NJ) still has a few sockets, extensions and ratchets in open stock, but sometimes you have to pick through the China to find them. I saw a 1/4" flex handle (breaker) hanging, but I already have one. Good buy at $7.99.
 

MagnumForce

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Ohio
Screwdrivers, Pliers, Nut Drivers, hooks and picks, Pipe Wrenches, Adjustable Wrenches, Scrapers, Hammers, Chisels, Punches, tons of specialty tools and More. The only things not USA made are sockets, rats, and combo/box/flare wrenches.

This whole pry bar as China thing is a total myth. Even the 3 piece sets they had for BF were all US. Any anecdotal evidence can be chalked up to K Mart cheapos getting returned at Sears.

People whine constantly while they have kept so much us made stuff it's not even funny, meanwhile Lowe's and Home Depot have no made in US house brand stuff and Menards only has sockets, rats, end wrenches and screw drivers made in US.
 
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bob15

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Northeasten, CT
Thanks. Is there some kind of marking system for sockets. I'm clueless except I am sure that the sets I have now are us because of age.

If it says "USA" on it, you know where it is made. Even 50 year old wrenches, sockets and other hand tool will say 'USA" on them. If it says nothing, there is 99% chance it can from another country. I was given a couple matco sockets that have no COO stamped in them. Chances are they weren't made in the US.

Most quality tools will list a COO on the tool. Be it from:

England, Canada, France, Germany (or W. Germany), etc
 

NC-Shaun

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MY Lighted LED Telescoping Inspection Mirror is USA.....I do like it too!
 

byoungblood

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Berryville, VA
the ebay sellers, and there are many, are quick to trumpet the fact when their sockets or other Craftsman tools are made in USA - so it will be quite apparent in the auction listing & photos!

And the prices. They just aren't worth what some of those guys are asking. You can buy Armstrong, S-K, Wright, or even Snap On at some of the prices the eBay guys want for US Craftsman!
 

whitetrash1

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ft worth TX
last time i was in sears every craftsman item i checked was still US made. i wasnt checking every item, but of the 40 or 50 i did check, all of them were.
 
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