Currently USA made hand tools?

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TUDrewser
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by TUDrewser »

Stuka wrote:
It may also be that the toolbox is made in China, but the suckers/Wrenches are made in the USA.


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No such luck. When I opened it I looked at every wrench and socket... All were marked as China. The one I ended up with specifically said on the side tools made in usa, box made in Mexico. And all tools said usa on them.

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Locked and Loaded
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Locked and Loaded »

If you want American made tools. Hit the estate sales.
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TUDrewser
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by TUDrewser »

It appears they may have outsourced customer service too...I emailed to complain about China tools and this was their response...a boilerplate response if I ever saw one:
Dear Drew *******,

Thank you for your recent correspondence. We are always interested in
hearing from our Sears customers. We apologize for the inconvenience you
have experienced with some of our tools being made in China.

We appreciate your feedback. By sharing your comments, you have enabled
us to address the issue and provide feedback to the appropriate person.
Truly, your remarks provide forthright feedback that will enable Sears
Holdings to improve the customer experience.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We value you as a Sears
Holdings customer and hope you will continue to make Sears your choice
for quality and value.

We thank you for choosing Sears and appreciate the opportunity to assist
you. We look forward to seeing you in our Sears store soon.

Sincerely,
Monica W.
Sears Holdings Corporation
They are quickly losing a customer...
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will e wrote:I guess life is better if you are not moving too fast.

will e
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by will e »

That's just too funny.
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CherokeeOwner
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by CherokeeOwner »

REDONE wrote:
hutcho wrote:even though you didnt ask milwaukee power tools all the way!!
Haha! When I worked in a boatyard on Puget Sound I learned to regard powertools as consumables, but I'll give you this much, I've paid for or had employers supply every brand of reciprocating saw under the sun, from makita to dewalt to bosch. Nothing compares to the original Milwaukee Sawzall! The old fashioned set screw types have all stripped to the point they can't hold a blade. The fancy new lever-lock types all break so they won't LET GO of the blade. That twisty doo-hickey on a Milwaukee has never let me down. ;)

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. I know that Craftsman (non-professional series) combo wrenches and screwdrivers are still forged in the US but don't know about Kobalt or Husky. I'm hoping they are because they're both real close by, while the nearest Sears is lots of city traffic away.
I owned a fab shop and the only power tool I didn't have to replace was my Milwalkee hammer drill. The dang thing had 7 years or more use on it when I picked it up. I still have it and use it from time to time. I bought just about every brand of grinder under the sun. From Harbor Freight to Bosch. I still have one Harbor Freight and a Bosch. I should have bought Milwalkee grinders too. I would still have them all.

I've spend most of my life in heavy equipment and truck shops before my little fab shop detour. Yes, guys can go on for weeks about Snap On, Mac, Matco and etc. and I don't slight them. But in almost every garage there has been one or two rengades. They bought Craftsman. You know what, they have lasted just as long and some of those guys are still using the very same tools. My father supplied the tools at the family business that was started in the fifties, his choice was Craftsman and he still has them... Well, some manged to follow me home after he sold the place. He sure has a firm a firm grip on his Sawzall.

It's a shame to see Sears go to Chinese tools, I'm sure the quality will decline and another aspect of our life cheapened.
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TUDrewser
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by TUDrewser »

Interesting update. After my not-so-great experience with Sears email support, I wrote a physical letter to Ed Lampert and his executive team. I sent it on Dec 30th, and while I doubt he himself ever saw the letter, I just got a call from an executive customer service team member. While there wasn't a whole lot she could do, she did acknowledge that they received my letter and she would log my concerns and said they have received other letters similar to mine. She also gave me her direct number if I had any future issues.

I have no unrealistic expectations that this will lead anywhere, but I do appreciate them actually giving me a call to acknowledge it. If anyone wants the mailing address or phone number to executive customer service, just send me a PM. I got the impression that had I actually had an issue, they have the power to deal with it and make it right.
1990 GW "saved by Jerry" edition
will e wrote:I guess life is better if you are not moving too fast.

Blazer3664
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Blazer3664 »

Found out something interesting the other day. Menards Masterforce brand hand tools are almost all made in the USA. Got a catalog around here somewhere i was going to scan and post, but can't find it now.
I asked about returns and was told "bring it back and we'll exchange it, no questions asked, no receipt needed"

I dont need anything in that department anymore though.

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ProTouring442
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by ProTouring442 »

SK Tools, available at Grainger, are still made in the USA.
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Southern Gorilla
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Southern Gorilla »

http://www.martinsprocket.com/products/ ... hand-tools

Got a catalog from these folks today. Saw the tools today at a pipe/hydraulic shop I frequent. They are stamped "USA" and seem to be of good quality. I didn't get any prices though.
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ProTouring442
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by ProTouring442 »

Southern Gorilla wrote:http://www.martinsprocket.com/products/ ... hand-tools

Got a catalog from these folks today. Saw the tools today at a pipe/hydraulic shop I frequent. They are stamped "USA" and seem to be of good quality. I didn't get any prices though.
I don't know about their other tools, but their body hammers and dollies are the best there are.
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Southern Gorilla
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Southern Gorilla »

ProTouring442 wrote:
Southern Gorilla wrote:http://www.martinsprocket.com/products/ ... hand-tools

Got a catalog from these folks today. Saw the tools today at a pipe/hydraulic shop I frequent. They are stamped "USA" and seem to be of good quality. I didn't get any prices though.
I don't know about their other tools, but their body hammers and dollies are the best there are.
That sounds like a solid endorsement. How do their prices compare to others? I'm going to get a price on one of the socket sets just to see if it's something I could justify.
Having seller's regret.
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Jjkage84
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Jjkage84 »

I'm really digging all the Pro USA Made I'm reading!

United we stand, divided we fall! No doubt about it folks!

I'll be checking into the Menard's for my tools in the future. I don't have any around, but I'd gladly pay for them to ship them to me if I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt I was helping to pay a fellow American's wage by purchasing a product they bought!

Gotta love it!
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243
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by 243 »

I have been hard on my Gearwrench non-reversable wrenches, never had an issue and I love them, use them more than my Craftsman flat panels.

JD-Williams screwdrivers.

Wilde Tool for punches, chisels and pliers.

Mayhew prybars.

TSC sells Mayhew punche and chisels.

Garage Journal is your friend, if you want to know anything or everything about tools.
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wewillsurvive
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Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by wewillsurvive »

Not sure if it's been mentioned but the Lisle tool line I saw at O'Reilly's seem to all be made in the US.


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243
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by 243 »

sanaamgupta...most EXCELLENT first post, what exactly is your point?
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carnuck
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by carnuck »

Salisbuy insulated tools is what I found searching that pic.
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yz400e
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by yz400e »

I know this thread is dead but work is slow so I thought I would put in my .02.

My dad was a heavy equipment mechanic ( highway construction and open pit mining). I have all his tools in addition to what I have acquired over the years. He had a mix. Some of the specialty stuff is snap-on and i see the odd Proto now and then but most is craftsman. He used to catch flak for having craftsman but he always said he broke fewer tools and never had any problems replacing tools. He used to have problems with the jobber tool trucks not wanting to trek out to the remote locations so he figured if they didn't want to make the trip he wouldnt give them his business so he always went to sears. That was a long time ago and times change so here are my suggestions.

My stuff is craftsman. I live in a smaller town , 50k people , that only has the "catalog" store ...appliances, lawn mowers, tools. The only tool I ever had problems with was a new torque wrench I bought in August. The ratchet quit functioning on my second use. I took it in and it was replaced no questions. She also said they had a run of crap torque wrenches and would be upgrading any that people bring in . So I say buy craftsman, the majority of stores still honor the NQA warranty . Plus their stuff is always on sale. If not this week then next week. And join the tool club. Huge discounts.

But if I was looking for a set of inexpensive, quality, American made tools I would look at pawn shops. Not just any pawn shops but ones that specialize in tools. My town has a place called "tool palace" and I see sets of Proto and Mac and Snap-On and S-K. Sometimes you have to dig through the bins and piece it together , other times it is still all together. Someone mentioned estate or rummage sales that is a good place too look and I know that is where this guy gets a lot of his stuff.

Hope that may help Someone
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Tatsadasayago
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Tatsadasayago »

Back in 2009 I went hunting for a garage and road toolset. I did a ton of shopping and settled on the big black Craftsman set shown in REDONE's first photo. I've been completely happy with the tools and the box itself.
Right after I got it my brother called from the freeway 80 miles out of Battle Mountain, NV telling me his transfer case took a digger and would I drive out to him with a replacement. I took this tool set and a Milwaukee bag full of random other tools and got him going. Ray was a lifelong Jeep/Chrysler tech and a Snap-On elitist. After using my tool set he went and bought one for his home use.

Thanks for providing the tool porn.
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Tatsadasayago
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Re: Currently USA made hand tools?

Post by Tatsadasayago »

HAH! I just noticed the date this thread was created. NecroPosting FTW
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