OT/ Is it just me or does everyone have trouble finding small tools that aren't made in China? I bought some Phillips screwdriver bits that used to be American made and now are Chinese. Wrote an e-mail to the manufacturer with my complaint and they won't reply. I'd rather pay premium to get good quality, wherever it is from, than get junk. The last batch of bits I bought were made in USA and lasted 6 months, bought a new batch last week and have already broken 5 out of twenty. Now I'll get off of by soapbox.
I've been finding pretty good USA made tools at the swap meet and occasional garage sales. Making up a junkyard toolbox . . . I hate to take my old and quality American tools out where they could get lost. Prices are cheap enough that I've been outfitting my small mill and lathe with dedicated wrenches. I am amazed at the rough treatment given hammers and Crescent Wrenches (adjustable spanners for the UK and OZ gang). Saw a medium sized ball peen a while back that had a piece of re-bar welded to it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How to tell if you're building up a good junkyard toolbox: Do a normal maintenance job on one of your vehicles. For me, it was replacing the power steering pump on my Ranger. I did have to tap into the regular garage tools, but it can be surprising at what you lack in the junkyard toolbox. A good learning experience in any event. The junkyard toolbox is heavy enough now that I have to take my swap meet/junkyard wagon along simply to haul the toolbox....
For the average consumer, Chinese made tools are perfect. Their relatively low cost and quality are offset by the average consumer who maybe uses these tools on an occasional basis. Remember that you always get what you pay for, I paid a lot of money for my Snap-On tools, but I have made all that money back and then some. Sure I'll buy some cheap **** now and then, but for something I use everyday, I'll always pay the premium.
even the "big 3" tools have a lot made overseas. i love vintage tools and i buy them at swapmeets, ebay. i still have yet to break a old proto or williams wrench and i use them for a living. the only overseas tools i like are stahlwillie (wrenches) made in germany. everyone laughs at me because i buy used old hand tools for work, but i get a tool allowance and can buy way more quality tools then they can.
This may be of some help...though I don't think it's entirely accurate, as I believe at least some of the Allen line is Chinese. Nevertheless, it's worth a look. http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
Check out Ryans other site Garagejournal.com. They can give you where to find most tools made in the USA and have a for sale section where members sale quality items fairly cheap (note: i sale items there once in a while). If you can't find what your looking for they can usually help out and are more than willing to do so. Josh
The Jalopy Journal
