Hand Tools Made In USA
Article by Mark Trotta
For over a century, America has been manufacturing professional-grade wrenches, ratchets, sockets, pliers, hammers and screwdrivers, most all forged from US steel.
The following is an alphabetical list of popular American tool brands:
******
Armstrong is known for their unique looking ratchets and their excellent quality. However, they can be hard to find. Fastenal is one place that sells them.
Pictured: Armstrong aviation ratchet, built specifically for the aerospace industry, features a pass-through hole for tightening Hi-Lok and other frangible collar fasteners.
******
Blackhawk is Proto’s budget industrial line and they offer many U.S. made tools.
******
Bondhus
In 1964, John Bondhus began manufacturing the original Balldriver ball end hex tool. Since then, many other innovative products have followed.
Bondhus Ball, Hex, and TORX tools are made at their Minnesota manufacturing facility, just across the street from the Mississippi River.
Whether it be for automotive, bicycles, or guitars, all of their products are guaranteed for life!
******
Carlyle Tools
Around 2012, NAPA parts stores started carrying Carlyle hand tools as their exclusive house brand, which means you won't easily find them elsewhere. Although the majority are Taiwan made, some of them are made in America.
With the exception of torque wrenches, all Carlyle tool products carry a lifetime warranty.
******
Channellock Pliers
Founded in 1886, Channellock still manufactures pliers and other hand tools in the USA (Meadville, Pennsylvania).
This three-piece pliers set has been a popular seller for years.
I bought this trio 30 years ago. Set includes 6-1/2", 9-1/2", and 12" slip-joint pliers. All three sizes see constant use, not only in the garage, but around the house and yard as well.
******
Cornwell hand tools are mostly U.S. made.
******
Craftsman Tools
Once 100% USA-made, Craftsman is now a mix of U.S. and imported. Over the years, they were made by several manufacturers, including Danaher Tool Group, who also manufacture tools for Matco, Allen, K-D Tools and GearWrench.
In 2010, Sears sold off the Craftsman tool line to the Black and Decker group, which continued the hassle-free replacement warranty policy.
Fast Fact: Before acquiring the Craftsman brand in the 1920's, several Sears executives were concerned that mechanics would not want or buy shiny chrome wrenches. Apparently, their fears were unfounded.
******
Indestro/Duro
A shout-out to my very first set of tools, the now defunct Indestro.
Originally a Chicago-based hand tool manufacturer back in the 1920's, Indestro eventually became a subsidiary of Duro Metal Products.
In addition to their own branding, Indestro manufactured tools for other companies, such as Craftsman, Montgomery Ward, True Value, and probably others.
Duro-Indestro closed its doors in 1990.
******
Klein Tool has been manufacturing tools in America since 1857.
******
Mac and Proto
Mac Tools are predominantly USA made with very few import items. They were acquired by Stanley Works in 1980. In 1984, Stanley Works purchased Proto from Ingersoll Rand and it became Stanley Proto.
In some cases, a Proto item will be near or completely identical to a Mac item in all but color and price.
******
Martin Tools
Based in Arlington, Texas, Martin Tool and Forge has been a family owned business since 1917. Automotive specialty tools include hammers, dollies, and spoons.
All Martin products are U.S. made with the highest quality materials and engineering.
******
Matco hand tools are still made in USA, although no longer 100%.
******
Old Popular Tool Brands
Most popular brands are no longer "lone" companies, and have become part of a larger corporate family. Every year, tool companies are buying and selling other tool companies.
Stanley Works merged with Black and Decker in 2010, and is now called Stanley/Black and Decker. Their home base is New Britain, Connecticut, and they are a Fortune 500 American company. The company also includes Porter Cable and Dewalt.
Bosch owns Dremel, Vermont-American, and others.
DeWalt tools are made in multiple countries, including United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, Italy, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.
******
Snap-On
Most of Snap-on's hand tools (wrenches, sockets, ratchets, pliers) are still made in the US, but much of their electronic and power tool lines are now from China and Taiwan.
Today, Snap-On owns Blue Point, Sioux, Williams Tools, and others.
******
S-K Tools
S-K Tools is another old American tool company. Up into the 1980's they were sold at many auto parts stores.
In 1985, S-K became part of Facom Tool. They were nearly out of business, but came back after being purchased by Ideal in 2010.
For bottom-end engine builds, I rely on my 1/2" drive, two-foot-long, SK 77250 torque wrench. It accurately reads up to 250 foot/pounds.
******
Tekton Tools
Although largely internet based, Tekton does sell in a few brick and mortar stores as well. They also have a broad selection of shallow and deep impact sockets.
Although they are a U.S. based company, a large part of their selection is sourced from Taiwan.
******
Vaughan Tools
Many modern hammer designs in use today were originally introduced by Vaughan Manufacturing, who have been around for over 135 years.
Located in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, manufacture of a Vaughan hammer starts with U.S. made, high carbon steel. They are made with an attention to detail that is exceptional.
******
Williams Tools
Williams Tool was acquired by Snap-On a few years back and now they're technically Williams Tool Group, and operates as Snap-On's industrial tool division. Be aware that there are two Williams lines - one is U.S. made, while the other is Taiwan-sourced.
Shown above is the aptly-named Williams box-end "Superwrench". This one has been in use since the 1970's.
******
Wright Tools
Ohio-based Wright Tool is a privately owned company that focuses on the industrial market. They produce high quality tools.
Wright Tool doesn't have as many items in their line up as other companies (like auto specialty tools), but they are 100% made in the USA with U.S. steel.
******
Notes and Misc
Other tool companies that manufacture in the USA include Chapman, Eklind, Estwing, Mayhew Steel Products, Park, Snyder, Stiletto, and Wilde Tool.
There is a difference between 'Made In USA' and 'Based In USA'.
******
"Good tools, as a rule, don't wear out, and good secondhand tools are much better than inferior new ones." - Robert Pirsig, Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance
Pictured: vintage Snap-on wrench from the 1970's.
******
Related Articles: