High Quality American Made Handtools

[rjvana]

I have a complete set of Craft man tool, Wrenches, ratchet. Sockets 1/4 to 1/2 bought them in the late sixties, the only thing that has been replaced was some of the gear sets in the ratchets. Back then they replace anything that broke or replaced them. I don't know if that is true now though. I also own some Overpriced Snap on specialty tools that were bought on sight because I needed it at the time. They been used through the years in my boat building days to my retirement from the Aero Space Industry. Back then they built quality tools .

[Grantman83]

Only 15% of their tools are made in the USA , 75% Taiwan , 10% China

This is true as They started out as originally all Chinese tools. They have slowly begun moving stuff to Taiwan and USA. From everything I have read, Taiwan sockets are top notch.

they also plan on apparently shifting even more tool production to the us.

[mactlman]

Moved our Snap-On factory to Mexico 20 years ago. Devastated the community. Not too fond of Snap-on now.

what was made in the plant there before the move? toolboxes? carts?

[mactlman]

This is true as They started out as originally all Chinese tools. They have slowly begun moving stuff to Taiwan and USA. From everything I have read, Taiwan sockets are top notch.

they also plan on apparently shifting even more tool production to the us.

hate to say it but the Taiwan plants are full of new state of the art manufacturing machinery and can and do make very good tools if they want to!!

[spinningreel]

hate to say it but the Taiwan plants are full of new state of the art manufacturing machinery and can and do make very good tools if they want to!!

The Carlyle tools by NAPA are made in Taiwan, Not quite Snap on Quality, but not far behind either.

For a good quality tool at a working mans price, either Carlyle, SK, or Wright.

[marathonman]

The snap-on plant made sockets sets and end wrenches

[Axkiker]

I think some of Snap On stuff is now made overseas and assembled in the US. Seems I remember hearing or seeing the ratchets no longer say made in the USA but assembled in the USA.

Might be wrong.

[mactlman]

The Carlyle tools by NAPA are made in Taiwan, Not quite Snap on Quality, but not far behind either.

For a good quality tool at a working mans price, either Carlyle, SK, or Wright.

sk pricey and terrible on warranty, wright hard to get service on warranty also

[brianf.]

Hi guys. OP here. Thx to all for your advice and guidance. I’ve got some shopping to do. As for those taking shots at me for abusing the tools, that’s not true. I know how to use tools. I just didn’t know how to buy them. Now I do. Thx again!

[rboren]

Out of curiosity what all do you do for insurance purposes in regards to documentation. Ive asked my agent a couple times what I need to do and all he has said is maybe take pics and upload to the cloud. I mean I guess I can take a pic of each tool box drawer but that still doesnt really show what all is in the box. I have thousands of drill bits / end mills / reamers / HSS / collets / adapters / etc etc. If I had a fire or someone pulled up with a truck when I was away they could unload me.

My agent doesnt seem to act like its a big deal I however feel like I would get screwed by the agency if something happened.

Close up pics of each drawer. I have one of the biggest S.O. Tool boxes. Corvette edition. I have everything organized so you can see exactly what is in each drawer. Bits and drills are in their own case. If it is something not really a normal tool I have a pic of just that one item. Took a while to do it but after I printed out pic and made multiple copies of each. One set of pics are in my gun safe,one set is in safety deposit box at bank, My son , who will receive the tools,has a copy. I included pics of my welder,plasma cutter,grinders,torches,jacks, and air/battery operated impacts and ratchets. It is an insurance company and the adjuster will try to rip you a new one. I have just tried to make his job as hard as possible!

[cneubass79]

For any kind of pliers it’s hard to beat Knipex quality. They are German made and can be found on amazon.

Best pliers around. Menards actually carries them too.

[bassnman81]

Most Pawn Shops will have all kinds of used tools at a fraction of the cost, check them out.

[Tom B]

Klein tools make nice stuff and made in USA

[Axkiker]

Best pliers around. Menards actually carries them too.

Man I wish our pawn shops were like that. I look through them at times and most of what I see is maybe 15-20% less than new. I bought a router table from one on a whim and price checked it later after I got home and used it. It was only about 15 bucks cheaper than new and that was them taking 5 bucks off the price.

[bass57348]

Knipex for pliers
Felo for screwdrivers.

[mgrice1981]

For any kind of pliers it’s hard to beat Knipex quality. They are German made and can be found on amazon.

+1 on Knipex. For screwdrivers, check out Wiha. They are German also and top notch.

[Axkiker]

Close up pics of each drawer. I have one of the biggest S.O. Tool boxes. Corvette edition. I have everything organized so you can see exactly what is in each drawer. Bits and drills are in their own case. If it is something not really a normal tool I have a pic of just that one item. Took a while to do it but after I printed out pic and made multiple copies of each. One set of pics are in my gun safe,one set is in safety deposit box at bank, My son , who will receive the tools,has a copy. I included pics of my welder,plasma cutter,grinders,torches,jacks, and air/battery operated impacts and ratchets. It is an insurance company and the adjuster will try to rip you a new one. I have just tried to make his job as hard as possible!

Yeah I need to do that. I guess I cant document every bit etc but I can at least give a general number and maybe a size range along with a pic. Some of these endmills or reamers etc can be 50.00+ a piece new. You get several hundred of them collected along with all the measuring equipment / gauges / hand tools etc and you are in for thousands that would most likely just be sold at a flea market or on ebay.

Did you take any special policy for all of it ? I asked about and was told it was not needed which makes me a little worried.

[BasserJim]

Klein

[mattmann7]

Recently found this site.

https://www.tools-plus.com/american-made-tools.html

[billnorman1]

One thing about plyers is look for the words "drop forged" permanently stamped in them. Many companies here and abroad make good products.