The Last American Made Ratchet Wrench

Are they?? The last I heard they were bought out with Craftsman by that %^*%(( Romney partner 
Paul Singer the one from the Delphi scandal, the one that blackmailed the American people for $3.5billion and then sent the production to the chinese. So, is Armstrong staying American made or, are they just around while the chines learn the ropes?

It's hard to tell without looking deeper who makes what, and it changes all the time. Example:

Danaher tool in Gastonia, North Carolina (part of Apex Tool group) made sockets and other forged tools for Craftsman, Cooper, Kobalt, and others. Sometimes they were shipped in bulk to China for kitting and packaging. Bain Capitol bought the company October 2012 and almost immediately it was in the local news that the plant was being closed and production moving to Mexico. How long do you think it will filter out to the average American that those tools are no longer US made?

I voted you a GA here, since I read your post and was in such a hurry to correct your terminology for socket that I forgot you had already named Armstrong as made in USA.

I think even Grainger is unsure where Armstrongs tools are going to be coming from because, Along with Proto's the country of origin says USA but, yep there's a but with a single t, it also says (Country of Origin is subject to change.) Do they know something we don't. Shoot I'm becoming a pessimist, who'd have thought

I don't know if "Made in USA" means anything any more. A couple of years I (against my will) bought two Black & Decker weed wackers. They lasted about 1 hour per $15 invested (wasted). The $30 unit lasted 2 hours and the $60 unit lasted 4 hours.

A repair kit was available from Black and Decker for the one that broke in a manner that could have injured someone. The label on the bag and the shipping papers stated "MADE IN USA". As near as I could tell every item inside the bag was made in China. It appeared that to earn the "MADE IN USA" declaration all they did was have someone in America drop a Chinese spool, a Chinese shroud and two Chinese screws into a plastic bag.

I fear that companies might have tools "made in USA" tools where someone in America grabbed a Chinese handle, dropped in a Chinese gear, a few Chinese ball bearings and added a Chinese spring clip.

The label on the bag and the shipping papers stated "MADE IN USA".
They meant the bag was made in America.

I understand where your comment (I don't know if "Made in USA" means anything any more) is coming from in that, the stamping on products with made in the USA, but, our folks are dying around the world to keep our country and, our way of life strong while these Vulture capitalists like Singer and Romney etc etc. Hey did you know that the first CEO for Bain capital vultures ooops I mean ventures had spent a couple of years in Israeli army intelligence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_%26_Company). As far as I'm concerned, these people Don't give a hoot about us or our country. Hmmm, sorry about that folks, guess I got a little carried away. Hey I checked out Proto, they were bought out by, Black and Decker. I am trying to find out if they still produce over here as they manufacture for our military. Wow check this out it's a list of hand tool patents that are now 90% owned by lets make it anywhere but USA companies http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/site-index.html

There's a new thing called global markets and global competition, best you get used to the world being flat.

The fundamentals of Business isn't and never was about welfare. Business was about making a profit. All else from the profits comes as a byproduct.

And first and foremost is jobs and then in no order is infrastructure, social programs, ect....

And yes, Philanthropy from these same people you demonize.

Surprised? As an intelligent person you shouldn't be, look at the history of Ford, Rockefeller, Carnegie, ect....

They may have been very hard businessmen in their time, but those same people, and people like that is what built this country, as opposed from the people that cry, pout and lay blame to these demons for their own woes that was caused, not by these demons, but by their own poor life choices.

I totally understand but, it doesn't mean I have to be happy about it! (And first and foremost is jobs ) I come from the old school and that is take care of your own first and have pride in your product, Not screw everyone and sell a load of crap that lasts 5 minutes and then you have to buy another one. I guess we come from different schools, and believe in different ethics. (Surprised? As an intelligent person you shouldn't be, look at the history of Ford, Rockefeller, Carnegie, ect They may have been very hard businessmen in their time, but those same people, and people like that is what built this country,) Yep, and the regular hard working folks just sat around and watched. I'm also happy that when I was in recon, I had men that had my back, if it was any of your three it would have probably been every man for himself. We are in a different age now and things can be done easier without this venture vulture mentality. You know what, I'm going to offer you the last word on this as I would like to get back to the origin of what I was looking for and that is, "a good American product" Have a good day

Thanks riverrunner,

It's healthy not to be happy about it, and challenge the systems. it part of the checks and balances which IMO is what made and makes this country great....... I'm sure I'm bias this

And because we can challenge, it's the reason why the actions of the people I mentioned earlier don't....... Or I should shouldn't occur today..... Example of Rockefeller and the breakup of his monopoly. Which, given the choice what would you have? A large conglomerate thats domestic with a monopoly, or it being off shored.

The problem I have today is when company's or financial institutions are too big to fail, which is counter productive........if its too big to fail, the companies officers should at the very least do time and restitution that fits the offense. Which should start at 20 years. That should keep them honest in a business sense.

Proto... which started out as Plomb... was bought some years back by Stanley. A couple of years ago Stanley and Black and Decker merged.

And prior to that Walmart told B&D, if you don't manufacture off shore then you won't be competitive enough to deal with us and, we'll take our business elsewhere. Just like they told all there other suppliers.

I found this site :

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html#handtools

I would suggest looking also at German made tools. My best Channel lock type of pliers is made by KNIPEX--Outstanding quality----5 years later, and no receipt, it jammed in one position, they gave me a US address, and I returned it, and received a brand new, improved version. No questions. Also FEin makes a lot of good stuff--If GOOD tools are what you are looking for, look a little farther.Loyalty to the US doesn't always mean the best. Senco have been bought out (I now use Grex), Porter Cable, Black and Decker etc. are now under one conglomerate, I believe, that makes Dewalt--Crap as far as I am concerned.

Your perspectives match mine. I have a couple Dewalt tools that are quite good, but I have been unimpressed with the newer ones -- might as well take a Black and Decker and paint it yellow. Fein, Festo, both quite good. Milwaukee going downhill fast, but still a few good things. I love their current line of 12V small lithium rechargables -- I have a right angle drill that has taken over as the only drill I reach for. Also have a mini recip saw using the same battery that can be invaluable for jobs where nothing bigger fits and where there is not room to move a hand saw. (The same battery that lasts forever in the drill doesn't last long in the recip, but usually does not have to.)

Proto industrial ratchets and components are all still made in the USA.
http://www.stanleyproto.com/xhtml/LITERATURE/PROTO_CAT2012_HAND_SOCKETS_DRIVE_TOOLS_ACC.PDF

Sorry Doorman, I know it's semantics but a socket wrench is correctly called a ratchet.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

Yeah, sometimes I get stuck in old learned stuff. I see Wiktionary lists socket wrench and ratchet wrench as synonymous, so I was a too quick to offer my version of reality in comment #1.

I'm gonna hobble over to the La-Z-Boy, have me a few sips of Geritol, and watch the Weather Channel.

I sure could use a few hours in the recliner... except my wife sold it.

I just learned something though I had never heard the term of. One of my techs asked me for a skiving tool to trim some conveyor belting. Never heard that one before at all. Turns out it's what I thought was some sewing tool.

Until now, I've thought of skiving mainly as the joining of two ends of a belt -- although I wasn't sure if it was the joining... or the cutting before joining. But the term is also used in machining.

Being confused, even as I write this, I decided to look up the word "skive"

Verb

1. Avoid work or a duty by staying away or leaving early; shirk: "I skived off school"; "she used to skive lessons".
2. Pare (the edge of a piece of leather or other material) so as to reduce its thickness.

number one works for me....... ^{if I can get away with it.....}

Then just call me the skive master!

Show up late leave early and take a long lunch while there and take at lest a 15 minute break every 20 minutes.

I have found that with that strategy even the cheapest made tools will last a lifetime at work!

Show up late leave early and take a long lunch while there and take at lest a 15 minute break every 20 minutes.
Just make sure you let upper management know, and you'll get a raise.

Hi Switchman,

Hydraulic hose people use "Skive" and "Non-Skive" hose. Years ago all hose was "Skive" type (typically SAE100R1A and SAE100R2A) and the outer rubber cover had to be removed (skived) before the ferrule was swaged on. Nowadays they tend to use SAE100r1AT and SAE100R2AT where you can swage the ferrule straight onto the rubber outer cover.

Best regards,

John

I would be really disappointed if Snap-on were not mainly American. Their truck has imported stuff, but I hope they still make their ratchets and sockets here.

I have a 10mm Snap-on socket I've used for 42 years, and it is starting to become perceptibly worn. (All the other sockets in the same set, which get slightly less use, are perfectly fine.)

I'm rehearsing my speech to the Snap-On guy: "I've only had this blasted thing for 42 years and it is already worn enough that in another 20 years it may not work. I want a new one... now!"

If only more companies built high quality products. For my boat-building school, I bought four identical t-square levels. Made in Milwaukee, by Johnston. Checked them in my shop, and 2 out of 4 were out-of-whack, and read significantly differently when doing the standard level check -- very nearly half a bubble off, one direction vs the other.

You pay for quality, but you can tell the difference.

When I was 14 my brother went to tech school for automotive and diesel mechanics.

On the farm we had all craftsman, when my brother brought his set home he had to buy at school the set was snap-on, My first impression of Snap-On's thin wrenches, was what a piece of crap.........

Goes to show what a 14 year old knows.

On a simular note..... My neices husband, his parents own a comapany that does paint finishing equipment, they installed a powder coat system for the company that makes Kennedy Tool boxs. That is the main company, they also make the tool boxes for Craftsman and a lot of other tool manufacturers.

I had to replace the "guts" in my Snap-on socket driver. When the Snap-on dude got them in for me the inside packaging said "craftsman" He told me they are made in the same offshore plant now.

Sorry my brother used to sell Snap-on tools. When they went o the open stock market they started importing. Very few are made in the USA any more.

Even he doesn't buy Snap-on anymore.

OK, then what does he buy now?or is he still using the original snap-on

then Snap-On are pricey

too bad when a company lives on its repretation.......

When my brother sold the tools you had to buy most of your inventory so when he quit selling Snap-on he was left with more tools than most mechanics own. So I doubt if he's bought much in the way of hand tools. He still has parts set for rachets. He just repaired one of mine for me about a month ago. But I'll ask him what brand he does buy when I see him today. I do know whenm he buys stuff he tends to try to buy made in the USA whenever possible.

I would appreciate that Thanks

I asked my brother about what hand tools he buys these days. He said if he needs a set of something he still tends towards Snap-on tools but not Blue Point. But if he is just buying a single tool for some odd job he'll buy from Lowes (I believe they call them Hobart Brand). He hasn't needed to buy any set in ages.

He says most of the Snap-on tools are still made in USA just not all. Things like the internal parts of ratchets unfortunately are foreign made. Blue Point is completely foreign made now.

He is also very surprised how much higher Snap-on tools cost these days. Doesn't understand how the mechanics can afford to buy their own tools anymore.

Any tool that has Snap-on on it is made in the USA. A lot of the tools it use to make in the US have been discontinued under that brand name. They are being imported and distributed under the Blue Point label by Snap-on.

That is not so with all of their offerings. Be careful to say all of them are made here. You will find most companies will out source some of the brands that are cheaper to manufacture else where. Just the way it is. I don't like it one bit, but OH! Well! I am just one grain of sand in a shifting sea.

Thanks for the warning, its like I buy only American, that why I drive a Toyota....

But, I don't believe I said it was made here, what I said they have a plant in Milwaukee and through the U.S. though. Yes, It may sound like I applied it, and heck it could be just packaging........ but then they must sell alot of tools

These are five U.S. Manufacturing locations that produce Snap-on® hand tools, power tools and tool storage units. It may be out of date because I didn't get a chance to read the todays Wall Street Journal.

Algona, Iowa
Tool storage units

Elizabethton, Tennessee
Hand tools

Elkmont, Alabama
Hand tools

Natick, Massachusetts
Pneumatic tools

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hand tools

Steve

Here's a tidbit of their manufacturing plants in Milwaukee.....guess their green too.

Wright Tool made in the USA with US steel

http://www.wrighttool.com/testimonials.asp

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html

Thanks I will check them out Tuesday

Are you looking for a rachet(ing) wrench, or a ratchet drive for sockets? Aren't the same thing - there are wrenches that ratchet.

Cornwell tools are at least partly made here if not completely.

Personally when it comes to tools I don't care what name is on it who makes it or where just as long as they stand behind their product with an unconditional life time warranty.

For me Craftsman tend to be my #1 tools for that. I had some Snap off's on tools years a go with lifetime warranty but when I went to get several broken ones replaced I was told that I had to take them back to the dealer that I bought them from or buy new ones. That was the end of my Snap Off on tool buying right then and there.

No matter where I bought them any sears will replace any of my Craftsman hand tools under warranty regardless of how old or new they are or what I did to break them.

(1500 Ft/lb 1 1/4 spline drive impact gun reduced down to 1/2 socket drive most common failure point.)

That said I will add that so far craftsman cordless power tool batteries are crap now. I had a pair of cordless drills that ran for over ten years for near daily use and recharging before the batteries finally wore out now their new batteries barely make it a year before they are junk. That's my only peeve with them.

I have to agree, a life time gaurantee is exactly that...., Who needs more? You bring in a broken craftsman tool to any Sears location, and the replacement was hassle free.

I had heard that craftsman may have put some limitationa on some of their tools a while back. I think it was screw drivers........... since you not suppose to use some of the bigger screwdrives as a pry bar.

Have found the best (Pricey) cordless drills and drivers to be made by Panasonic (if you can find them)--Best electronic adjustments and clutches, 1/2 : chucks, and great torque, with Li_ion batteries that last a long time (3 times as long as my old Panasonic NiMHydride)--Also much less Memory problem. I also used to use my regular Craftsman sockets as Impact drivers, and was surprised to see how far they went before failure--Take them back and get a new one. Now, where was that broken Craftsman socket wrench??? (Sear's power tools are a definite stay away from)

When you say:

(Sear's power tools are a definite stay away from)

Do you mean Sears tools or Craftsman tools?

Craftsman.--In the 70's, I had a 10" Craftsman table saw that served me for over 12 years. Straight table, fence aligned, and would hold all adjustments. A little lubricating oil on the gears, belt drives etc, with a WD 40 spritz and buff on the table, and you were good to go. Now the tables are stamped, change with temperature and..... The last one I used, I got so frustrated, I made up a jig for my Skil Saw, cut oversized a bit, and then ran it through my Makita Planer to size it properly. I am now looking at a new PowerMatic,or a new Jet ... Also had some grinders, buffers, jig saws, etc, that just were crap....maybe it was just me....

I bought a Powermatic about 15 years ago, I just love the fence. Nice sound unit.

(Sear's power tools are a definite stay away from)
I agree. Three decades ago I used Craftsmen power tools, but everything I bought in the late eighties and 90's was junk.

I am also considering a Performax portable table drum sander. Just heard from Rockler that they have been bought out also, by Jet. Now the Chinese are buying out American companies...Cross your fingers, or pay 3X as much by going to German tooling. (Fein etc.) Ryobi used to have some good stuff--They came out with the first and best portable 10" power planer, then a 12", over 20 years ago, way before anyone else. Don't know if they went the way of B+D, Skil etc....?

Don't know if they went the way of B+D, Skil etc....?

It looks to me like they have... yet another one bites the dust.

I have an old drill press from China (maybe 15 years old). About twice the weight of a Craftsman of the day and rock solid. It has actually been a really good tool. I see the same casting on all sorts of brands now.

Oh... and I have a Northern Tool branded cheap but durable power hacksaw. (Still have the original replacement brushes which came with it.) I later found a Hitachi (which I would normally think to be higher quality) which differed only in color. Strange world.

Reminiscing about drills, on the farm my dad had a 1/2" BlackHawk single speed drill motor. I don't recall the HP. I think he bought it post WWII, or later on in the 50's

It was literally as well as figurally abused

It was geared down, if you where drilling in steel you had to put a cheater bar on it and and at times another person because when it broke through so you'd have somewhat control, so it won't snag and break your jaw.

The arbor itself was slightly bend because of this, and as your drilling it does a little shimmy

When not using it as its intended use/purpose, we were using it to power winches to raise silo loaders up 60 foot silos.

Like allot of good solid tools, Turns out it does have Quite a trail in its history of being a commodity.

.

http://www.ask.com/wiki/Blackhawk_(tools)

Nice flashback

So far the only complaints about their power tools is the crappy battery life they have now on the cordless stuff.

The corded power tools I own are all from the professional or contractor grade models and I have yet to ever kill one while under warranty or even out of warranty for that matter and believe me I have tried!

I couldn't agree more with this. I don't care what the name is as long as the quality is there. I have a huge variety of tools... the ones that have survived are the good ones. I've busted several Snap off wrenches and ratchets, won't have the damn things, but surprising never have had a socket break. However, Snap off truely makes some of the best tool chests that hold up.

Overall I prefer Proto just because I can't kill them. I've got a lot of old old Plomb, Mac and SK stuff too that just doesn't break.

And this is why I'm looking for real American made American pride tools Overall I prefer Proto just because I can't kill them. I've got a lot of old old Plomb, Mac and SK stuff too that just doesn't break. Thank you Switchman,

Have you checked Snap-On in Milwaukee ?

Snap-On, Mac Tools (Stanley), Matco, Cornwell Tools. I believe that they're all 100% US made.

Check out APEX Tools in NC. They bought the former UTICA TOOL CO.. I believe they still manufacture all their hand tools in the USA...

I still have a bunch of their rachets, sockets and extensions that are almost 40 years old now ans still going strong!

Good try Moosie but, Apex got bought out by Romneys Venture Vultures at Bain Capital, they are going to travel. Hey gotta give Mitt (what kinda name is Mitt, is it an abbreviation for mittens??) his due, he said he would create jobs, just not here

Also:

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

more.....

http://usamadeproducts.biz/hand-tools.html

Thanks, hadn't seen that one

I believe a company can claim "Made-in-America" if a certain percentage of it is made here. There is another phrase used these days and that is "Assembled-in-America". That usually applies to automobiles.