When did Great Neck go overseas?

[Toolhorder]

Was at a thrift store today and I found a 24 inch Great Neck level. It's made in the USA so I picked it up. It was $3.99 and looked decent so I figured what the hell.

 

[nyrapscalion]

I will hazard a guess of 1992-5. I have a tape measure that says 1991 on it and it's from the USA. A few hack saws, the same. The overseas stuff is beyond cheap, so I'm thinking a company/buyer acquired the company and started making the stuff in the far east.

 

[SMKS]

Hmmm....I would suspect they didn't go all at once. I would suspect they sourced some things from the US longer than others. I have a small trim prybar from them that appears newer than the early 1990s that is made in the USA.

But, I'm just speculating.

 

[Toolhorder]

The level is good quality, has yellow measuring markings on one side up to 2ft. It's aluminum painted black. Bubbles seem okay. For the money I thought it was worth it.

 

[86k10]

I always thought they were imports from the beginning. I grew up only seeing and hearing of them in Autozone. I always thought they were some cheap import brand. I never knew that they were once US made.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I too thought that they were always an imported **** brand.
So, what would brand would you compare the older USA Great Neck stuff to in terms of quality?

 

[Conductor562]

Growing up in the 80's I remember my Dad having a few USA Great Neck items. I'd guess early 90's.

 

[Toolhorder]

I too thought that they were always an imported **** brand.
So, what would brand would you compare the older USA Great Neck stuff to in terms of quality?

I can take photos. Easily C-man quality I would say

 

[CWP1616L]

Check out the SS100 jab saw. I have one and it's a great little hand saw. Made in USA.

http://www.greatnecksaw.com/products/show/651/jab-saw

 

[LA1Z24]

They were originally made right here on Long Island, in Great Neck, NY. Now, not so sure really.........

 

[zakmartin]

I have an old USA made Great Neck crowbar from the late 80's. I can't remember seeing any Great Neck products that weren't from China after the mid-90's.

 

[MAD]

I believe Great Neck is still making some of their products in the USA. I noticed the other day that some of the hand saws and wood chisels that are sold under the Buck Brothers brand at Home depot were still U.S. made. Even the cheapo plastic miter box was USA. These are identical to products that carry the Great Neck brand in some of the local hardware stores around here.

 

[Joe B.]

Yes, you can see some made in the USA stuff on their website. However, I don't know if they actually make any of it themselves or if they are just repackaging a few USA items from other manufactures just like they do with the China stuff.

 

[Conductor562]

I have some Buck Bros. chisels. They are USA made but I had no idea the were a Great Neck product.

 

[rusty65]

I have a really old hack saw made by great neck that I found in a really old Kennedy box and the saw looks like it's just as old as the Kennedy box and I suspect it is from the 40s to the 50s and the saw is made in USA. I also heard old great neck machinists tools were made by General in New York

 

[evildky]

Every Great Neck tool I've had was american made and ****, I'd take import HF stuff over the US made GN stuff I had.