Made in the USA (resources, not a RANT)

I've been thinking since seeing the Vise-Grips moved manufacturing to China thread and it just came to me that we could use a good, ongoing "Made in the USA" thread. THIS IS NOT A RANT. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR CHINA THIS AND FAT CAT THAT! And, I don't care to hear your politics or flagwaving, either. I believe in a global economy on one hand, but it makes the most sense to me to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY, FIRST!
With that said, this thread's (if it flies) theme is about the resources we want to buy that are still made in the USA. It's mostly about tools. It can be questions, and answers:

Q: "Hey, where can I get good 'vise grips' that are made in the USA?"

A: "I live in Ohio, and there's a local company that makes a good product for a reasonable price ..."

Other tool examples:
Air compressors
Welders
Hand tools like sockets and wrenches

Get it?

Thanks,
Kurt

 

Other tool examples:
Air compressors
Speedaire (Grainger)
Welders
Miller
Hand tools like sockets and wrenches
I'm running Husky (Home Depot) since S-K wouldn't warranty my 20 yr. old ratchet w/o original receipt.

 

Good idea. I have had good luck finding used USA tools on craigslist. Also, join the local Vintage Cheverolet Club or equivelant. Lots of oldtimers in these orginizations, who are often too old to use them and will pass them on at a good price. As far as new, I'd like to know my damn self.

 

I forgot Wholesale Tool( www.wttool.com )has a function where you can search by origin of manufacturer, that's how I buy loose sockets, etc. There is one near my office, which is nice, but they do mail order from a huge catalog as well.

 

Great idea! Im into the buy American deal, but...how? Where? Great thread idea.

 

lincoln welders are out of ohio, hence the red color...i believe the owner went to OSU

 

I got so mad at Levis leaving the USA I looked and found these american made jeans
http://www.schaeferoutfitter.com/1850.html
I have used the crap out of two pairs and they are great

 

i support usa first i bought a hammer puller for my jeep axles , almost ended up with a chinese one , then i found a place in minnisota that makes them it cost $45 more than the copy but it will still be usable and in someones tool box long after im gone

 

Kurt, this is a good idea. Thanks for the level headed post about a touchy subject.

 

I LOVE these guys. An engineer there offered to send me a prototype of a valve spring tool tool to use to see if it would work on smaller valves!

Mostly specialty stuff, but it's great quality:

http://www.lislecorp.com/

 

Denim jackets,jeans,coveralls,overalls=Pointerbrand.com.Made in Bristol tenn.

 

I second the motion !!!!

 

a thread i can get behing

jeans
http://www.pointerbrand.com/

some of the diamond cut are US made
http://www.diamondcutjeans.com/

sunglasses
some are safety glasses also
http://oakley.com/

clothing
http://www.zebulonusa.com/index.asp

welders
some lincolns aren't US made
http://www.millerwelds.com/

later jim

 

Snap On hand tools are made in the USA.I know they are pricey,but they usually last until you lose them.

 

I believe Channelock pliers are still made here

 

http://www.madeinusa.org/?OVRAW=tools%2520made%2520in%2520the%2520USA&OVKEY=made%2520in%2520usa&OVMTC=advanced&OVADID=7604591011&OVKWID=45631385511

 

-Red Wing insulated linemen boots (I think very few of their product line still is) are still made in the USA.
-Some Wrangler jeans are as well.
-The tie rod ends that Deuce Factory sells are still US made & fairly cheap
-There is also a chino company making pants in the US. Very pricey @ $90.00, but they claim it will be the last pair you buy. They copied the US Army chino pant and improved it a bit wirh heavier material. http://www.billskhakis.com/shop/pants_twill.html

Here is also a link of a company that only sells US made clothes
http://allusaclothing.com/

Thanks so much for starting this.

-

 

And dont forget Hedman Hedders are made in U S A

 

Most all autoparts lines (Bendix, Wagner, Felpro, etc...) have 2 levels of parts. The more expensive level is GENERALLY made in the US. Just ask.

 

All my " Model T " gas tanks are made in the USA. Those spun aluminum "dune buggy" tanks are not and don't have baffles.

http://www.thehotrodcompany.com/shopnow/show_dept.asp?dept_id=78

 

This type of thing takes a lot of research at times. I am glad to see a post like this, hopefully it will not get closed as well.

Just to let everyone know. When buying a car or at least a GM car the window stick will tell you where the engine, transmission and final assembly of the car was. They will also show you to % of domestic (USA/Canada) parts on a car.

Example: the new Saturn Astra is built in Belgum and has a 3% USA/Canada part content.

Like I said I know GM does this and I would assume other car companies do the same but not sure.

Here are some web sites to check out.
http://www.howtobuyamerican.com/index.php
http://www.madeinusa.com/index.shtml (this one I have a hard time finding specific products)
http://www.classicsandcustoms.com/american_made_tools.asp
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
http://www.usstuff.com/powrtool.htm
http://www.unionplus.org/union-made-savings.cfm?source=google
https://unionshop.aflcio.org/index.cfm

A lot of times when I am looking to buy something I will just ask where the product is made. I recently bought a pair of Red Wing boots for my wife. I sent them an e mail, described what I was looking for and they gave me a list of the styles that were made in the USA.

 

Williams Lowbuck Tools has a real interesting web site,all fabrication stuff,made here.They are real old time Hot Rod guys,and are also real characters,have bead rollers,tube notchers etc.We use some of it ,and it's very nice equipment.(Some day I'll figure out how to post a link.)There are several similar folks out there.Every little thing doesn't need to be made here to work on a Hot Rod,but it's sure better to deal with honest ,equal trading partners.Thats the way HotRods have been,built since day one,an American phenomenon,and if we're going to try to stick to some sort of traditional ideal,why not respect the way most of them were built.

 

The BEST T-shirts I have ever worn are made by "Union Line". I recommend them HIGHLY.

 

One caution about this website: I have bought items from companies listed here, and the items have been made in China or elsewhere.

 

Here's are some websites that I have used in the past for research into what companies are still making things in the good 'ol USA that I can patronize. They have all been very useful!


http://www.madeinusa.org/

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

http://www.madeinusa.com/ (not the same as above)

http://www.unionlabel.org/

 

This goes right along with what you just pointed out....it deals with that same thing.

http://www.usstuff.com/saipan.htm

I don't shop at Wal-Mart anymore personally.

 

http://www.round-house.com/

Made in USA overalls. Est. 1903 and still going strong.

I've worn a lot of these on the job, though sometimes they are made a bit off here and there and you have to exchange them for another pair. No worse than a pair of dickies made in indonesia!

 

That was the dealer, not SK. I have never had a problem with SK in over 40 years of dealing with them.

 

I'm guilty of buying some Chinese product. BUT, I sure like the option to buy U.S. made stuff. I don't appreciate a store/source that offers ONLY the Chinese product. Good thread

 

http://www.lowbucktools.com/prod.html

Most of the time you can right-click the web address (URL) and copy it, then right-click and paste where you want to paste it.

Try the globe-chain link icon about in the middle of the toolbar above. Write "link to Williams Lowbuck Tools", highlight it, click the icon, paste the URL, press the OK button. I usually check that the links work when I preview my posts.

link to Williams Lowbuck Tools

Thanks,
Kurt