Anyone make quality tools anymore?

[BeatTheTunaUp]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTQF24F?ref=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_TX61FMD697T31T0PA0F8_3&ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_TX61FMD697T31T0PA0F8_3&social_share=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_TX61FMD697T31T0PA0F8_3&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1

 

[Lead Belly]

GearWrench makes very high quality tools. I have a bunch of their stuff and not had issues. The locking angle ratcheting box wrenches have saved me a ton of time. I also like the serpentine belt kit for tight places. Icon from HoboFreight is also good to go.

 

[Gordo]

I have a cheap bore scope that connects to my phone. I've used it to look in places that my older scope would get to. And HD video at that compared to the old 480pixel screen

Can you do your own colonoscopy?

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

Can you do your own colonoscopy?

Probably after a p diddy party

 

[Lead Belly]

Tekton (Taiwan) makes very good tools- especially sockets of the impact flavor. Taiwan makes much better stuff than mainland.

Amazon.com : TEKTON

 

[Lead Belly]

Wiha makes fabulous drivers and bits in hard-to-find sizes

Amazon.com : wiha

Make sure not counterfeit, as always

 

[Havok1]

I have really good luck with both new and old Craftsman tools.
The market places are full of used tools so that's a huge savings and you'd be surprised what to find.

I think I have 3 sets of Craftsman tools. The largest was used for work and still gets used the most the others are convenience and travel / side job tools. I've never lost a 10mm socket but I have several anyway.

My craftsman set is probably about 25 years old. A couple years ago I had a ratchet that broke. I called customer service and they sent me a new one. Tough to be unhappy with that.

 

[gdr_11]

Doesn’t cover a lot of mechanic tools but this site does show where to buy American made tools

When I used to work with my hands, I bought Snap On, Proto and Thorsen tools, but that was when each namr meant quality. Nowadays I use throwaway tools because HF and others are just as good as the name brands

Tools Made in the USA (20 Top Brands in 2024) - All American Made

Finding quality tools made in the USA is no easy task nowadays, but thankfully there are still many brands that do offer quality tools made right here in America.

www.allamericanmade.com

 

[craigntx]

Watch this test of a chinese vs old US made sledgehammer

 

[benenglish]

Watch this test of a chinese vs old US made sledgehammer

The old one wound up looking pretty, though I wish he had found a more elegant way to install that new handle.

 

[Tnhawk]

I just know that all those Craftsman tools my dad bought in the 1960s seem like they're going to last.

The only problem I've had with Craftsman tools was that they don't get returned.

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

I'll pass on Craftsman. It's just rebadged Stanley tools and the warranty isn't the same as the old days. Here's a Craftsman wratchet with two teeth

and here is a Harbor Freight Icon. I'll let you guess wich one is stronger and smoother.

 

[Nicholst55]

As far as the big-name mechanic tools increasingly being made in China, I worked for MATCO Tools in the mid-90s. Every time we unwrapped new tools (every week), it seemed like there were more that were badged 'Made in China.' The mechanics wouldn't buy them back at that time, but it seems like everything is made in China these days - or very nearly.

Another brand that tends to be excellent quality is Wiss; they make excellent stuff, regardless of where it originates.

And on the subject of quality and China. A purchaser for a tool company told me that the Chinese have the ability to manufacture to whatever quality level that you specify - and are willing to pay for. The problem is that everyone wants top-drawer quality at garage sale prices.

 

[G O B]

Billings were the best tools ever. Now they are
collectables. Same with Thor power tools.
Nothing new with that kind of quality.

 

[oldag]

Doesn’t cover a lot of mechanic tools but this site does show where to buy American made tools

When I used to work with my hands, I bought Snap On, Proto and Thorsen tools, but that was when each namr meant quality. Nowadays I use throwaway tools because HF and others are just as good as the name brands

Tools Made in the USA (20 Top Brands in 2024) - All American Made

Finding quality tools made in the USA is no easy task nowadays, but thankfully there are still many brands that do offer quality tools made right here in America.

www.allamericanmade.com

I am not sure that list is accurate.

 

[alternative]

I have a bunch of Milwaukee tools (all Chinese) which are pretty good and I have some pretty good Harbor Freight tools. I don't buy any expensive HF tools and have stayed away from their battery operated ones. Maybe not as good as my 50 year old Craftsman but for a home do it yourself person work okay. I have one of those Harbor Freight sledge hammers and no way can I hurt that thing.

 

[Steve In Texas]

Klein & Proto still make a good assortment of tools in the US and sometimes can be found well priced. Stanley bought Craftsman and sources all over. Stanley also owns Facom. Some of the European made Facom tools are awesome. Amazon and EBAY have made everything a global market now.

Milwaukee brand now is now bringing some of their production back into the USA. The parent company is foreign. The bulk of Channel Lock tools one finds are made in the US and well made.

I pick up used vintage tools second hand.

 

[ILexpatriot]

Knipex. Wiha. Wera. Milwaukee. Klein. Ideal. There are lots of good tools out there if you look. It depends on what type of tools you need, what you really want to spend, and how long you REALLY want them to last.

 

[alternative]

Brand/model?

As noted before, Teslong on Amazon are great. You will be impressed.