I'm looking for one or two US manufacturers of hand tools, (wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc). Quality is the primary concern.
US made tools.
- Thread starter salesmantony
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1. Stanley Proto
2. Danaher Armstrong
2. Danaher Armstrong
SnapOn for most of their stuff.
Danaher is nice, especially their Matco brand. Be aware though, I have some MATCO stuff made in China.
Danaher is nice, especially their Matco brand. Be aware though, I have some MATCO stuff made in China.
OVERKILL
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Snap-On.
Napa "Hand Tools" are made by Danaher and they seem to be of high quality. They super bargain priced though. Just watch out that you are looking at their premium tools and not their imported economy line.
But as far as hand tools go, if you don't mind spending the crazy money, it is hard to go wrong with anything from Snapon, Matco, Mac, and even Cornwell.
But as far as hand tools go, if you don't mind spending the crazy money, it is hard to go wrong with anything from Snapon, Matco, Mac, and even Cornwell.
I've used and own a fair amount of "Proto" tools, there almost indestructible. Most of their ratchets are rebuild-able and easily serviced. Sockets are on the thick side, i.e. their chrome sockets look like they're impact sockets.
Danaher makes a "LOT" of different brands, i just usually don't like the "feel" of armstrong tools, although i'm sure there great tools. I have some KD sockets and armstongs are noticeably different is some areas though outside dimensions are the same.
Snapon makes great hand tools, but some of the things that they make, just aren't worth the money paid. I would never buy snapon brand air tools or cordless tools. There great tools, no doubt, i would probably own some of their ratchets, if i didn't already have like 3 or 4 duplicates of every size i use.
Danaher makes a "LOT" of different brands, i just usually don't like the "feel" of armstrong tools, although i'm sure there great tools. I have some KD sockets and armstongs are noticeably different is some areas though outside dimensions are the same.
Snapon makes great hand tools, but some of the things that they make, just aren't worth the money paid. I would never buy snapon brand air tools or cordless tools. There great tools, no doubt, i would probably own some of their ratchets, if i didn't already have like 3 or 4 duplicates of every size i use.
I love klein screw drivers, and their pliers. If they also made some good slip-joint pliers i would probably never buy channel-lock again. 
Sorry, about the double post, but chad8, brought up a less known brand that i really like.
Sorry, about the double post, but chad8, brought up a less known brand that i really like.
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The newest Mac brand sockets have been the greatest sockets I have ever used. The unique shape inside the socket really does help loosen rounded off bolts.
"Made Entirely in the U.S.A. - From the design and engineering to the forging and finishing, all work on Wright tools is performed in the United States by skilled American workers. We do not use foreign blanks or forgings. Even the steel we use is American-made."
Like Armstrong and Proto, Wright is oriented towards the industrial sector. Snap On, Matco, Mac, and Cornwell are more towards the automotive sector.
http://www.wrighttool.com/
Don't forget SK tools. Ideal Corp. has invested new money into this brand. I hope they become what Craftsman used to be: excellent mid grade tools at MUCH lower prices than the ones mentioned above.
In other types of tools, there a still a handful of U.S. mfg., but that will have to wait for another time.
If you put a Snap-on 1/4 drive universal connected with a Sears Craftsman 3/8 drive universal and torque them until one fo them breaks, the larger 3/8 Craftsman will break and the 1/4 Snap-on will be as good as new.
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JH Williams. Owned by Snap-On but at normal prices, you pay more for the tool not the name.
CDI for Torque wrenches. Same deal.
IR and CP for air tools.
Klein
Proto
Some of the Craftsman Pro stuff but you need to pay attention these days. Most of their stuff has gone downhill bad and too much of it is Chinese.
Old Craftsman from flea markets are usually good American tools.
CDI for Torque wrenches. Same deal.
IR and CP for air tools.
Klein
Proto
Some of the Craftsman Pro stuff but you need to pay attention these days. Most of their stuff has gone downhill bad and too much of it is Chinese.
Old Craftsman from flea markets are usually good American tools.
I will second the Wright Tool recommendation. Less than the truck brands but every bit as quality of the best of them. Their prices are less to boot. Their selection is more limited than say Snap-On.
I would also suggest Precision Instruments then as the second one for torque wrenches.
I would also suggest Precision Instruments then as the second one for torque wrenches.
Snap on is probably #1 considering the value, meaning resale value is high. People like snap on. Buy once and don't waste money buying ten times. From what I read snap on has a real warranty. Some others if you read the fine print, essentially have no real warranty. All the others mentioned are good.
Personally I like Craftsman USA as it has the warranty and serves well, although Craftsman is not a manufacturer of course.
Personally I like Craftsman USA as it has the warranty and serves well, although Craftsman is not a manufacturer of course.
I should have mentioned. I'm looking to SELL these tools. Snap-on is a good tool, but I don't want to invest tens of thousands of dollars in a truck. I might be wrong, (and I frequently am), but I thought Proto was being made in Asia. Wright tools have some potential, as does Armstrong.
These days, manufacturers who have traditionally manufactured their tools exclusively in the U.S.A. may also supplement their line by putting their name on tools manufactured in Asia. That's not to say that if you buy set of sockets that the 10mm will be made in U.S.A. and the 11mm right next to it will be made in Asia; it's not like that. But one whole set of sockets may be made in the U.S.A. while another whole set of sockets (under a different part number) may be made in Asia. A perfect example of that would be Williams tools. As of right now, Wright probably has the most U.S.A. produced tools in their line of all the traditional U.S. tool manufacturers with Proto coming in at a close second.
Originally Posted By: salesmantony
I should have mentioned. I'm looking to SELL these tools.
You have my curiosity piqued. How are you planning to sell these tools? Many "tool truck" salesmen also carry the brands mentioned above so it is not like there is a big niche waiting to be exploited.
I should have mentioned. I'm looking to SELL these tools.
You have my curiosity piqued. How are you planning to sell these tools? Many "tool truck" salesmen also carry the brands mentioned above so it is not like there is a big niche waiting to be exploited.
I see snap-on trailers in my area, I think 24' or 28' car hauler sized. Maybe that's an option for you?
Selling tools out of a truck, in this economy? Good luck. Especially when there are the front-runners, like Mac & Snap-on all over the place.
But, if you're still interested, Id go with one of the 2 mentioned above. Or Cornwell tools. I'm pretty sure they're USA made. They're quality. Proto, Matco, and S-K are very good quality, too. I'm not sure if they're all USA made or not.
But, if you're still interested, Id go with one of the 2 mentioned above. Or Cornwell tools. I'm pretty sure they're USA made. They're quality. Proto, Matco, and S-K are very good quality, too. I'm not sure if they're all USA made or not.
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My primary lines are welding alloys, abrasives, and chemicals. I get asked about tools regularly so I'm just looking to see if it's possible. I don't want thousands of dollars in inventory or weekly payment plans. I already sell premium products, so my customers would expect me to have quality tools. I just want to have a "catalog" if you will of quality tools that I can provide for my customers.
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