went to Harbor Freight yesterday

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

a lot of reps will lie to you; especially to people they know will believe them.

Although some major tool mfgrs claim "not made in China"... they use Chinese steel, and castings. The raw pulls are sent to India/Pakistan/Proud Republic of Tunisisa/ [insert third world country name here] and finalized there.

Don't be fooled.

Sure, HF sells some crap items as well - and so do the others. Like everything, you need to spend a few seconds and assess the item yourself.

Anyone that blindly buys a tool because of the mfgrs name alone - is putting their money at risk.

Some still believe that a screw tightened with a $20 lifetime-warranty snapon tool... is somwehow better that a screw tightened with a $4 lifetime-warranty Chicago HF tool.

If you want a hammer not made in China, get a Craftsman/Vaughn. My family has made those hammers for over 40 years in Bushnell, IL.

Only brand of hammers I'll buy.

[clutchdust]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

If you want a hammer not made in China, get a Craftsman/Vaughn. My family has made those hammers for over 40 years in Bushnell, IL.

Only brand of hammers I'll buy.

Noted!

[Jay13]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

If you want a hammer not made in China, get a Craftsman/Vaughn. My family has made those hammers for over 40 years in Bushnell, IL.

Only brand of hammers I'll buy.

If they're so good, why would you ever need to buy more than one?

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

If you want a hammer not made in China, get a Craftsman/Vaughn. My family has made those hammers for over 40 years in Bushnell, IL.

Only brand of hammers I'll buy.

I have had a Vaughn 22 oz framing hammer, long handle, for over 25? years now, my favorite hammer....I do some serious damage with it....

the handle is about the same blue as this page shows....

[mrvette]

Originally Posted by Jay13

If they're so good, why would you ever need to buy more than one?

At MY age I unlikely to wear it out, plenty of nail heads at risk there.....

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

If you want a hammer not made in China, get a Craftsman/Vaughn. My family has made those hammers for over 40 years in Bushnell, IL.

Only brand of hammers I'll buy.

There are one of the exceptions; good for them !

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Jay13

If they're so good, why would you ever need to buy more than one?

Different hammers for different things, plus I give them away a lot. My grandmother never let anyone work on her house with cheap Chinese hammers, so she always gave one of the Vaughn or Craftsman hammers to the guys doing the work. I do the same.

Whenever I go to Illinois, she'll give me 5-6 of them, since she still gets them free from the factory.

Lifetime warranty on them too, and they are sold at Sears & Lowe's.

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by mrvette

I have had a Vaughn 22 oz framing hammer, long handle, for over 25? years now, my favorite hammer....I do some serious damage with it....

the handle is about the same blue as this page shows....

Very cool. My grandma had a hand in making that exact hammer.

I have 2 cousins who work there now.

[clutchdust]

Originally Posted by Jay13

If they're so good, why would you ever need to buy more than one?

Hmmmm, ball peen, brick, ripping, roofing, mallet, claw...

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by clutchdust

Hmmmm, ball peen, brick, ripping, roofing, mallet, claw...

And on and on and on...

They even make axes and hatches, which I also have.

Since 1869, the Vaughan family has been committed to producing hand tools that proudly state "Made in the USA.". Innovation, ingenuity and manufacturing have long been the foundation and cornerstone for America's success. This success did not come easy but rather through hard work, perseverance and determination. The American manufacturer, including Vaughan, is a reflection and an extension of the pioneer spirit. Preservation and support for this vital part of our economy is key to keeping the integrity of our roots intact. If we continue with outsourcing we will erode the foundation of our Country.

Vaughan & Bushnell Manufacturing is a modern day testimony to the pioneer spirit. In spite of an unfair playing field, where imports have taken over, Vaughan continues to thrive and deliver top quality products. Vaughan is committed to providing American made products, comprised of American raw materials. Vaughan products are produced with the highest standards, in compliance with Government mandates. Preservation and protection of the environment is just as important as preserving the origin and root of our foundation. Vaughan is proud to say "Made in the USA."

[Kerrmudgeon]

I don't recall Vaughn being available up here. I've been an Estwing junkie all my life. Got a slew of 'em for different jobs, and the hatchets are tops. And the only time I've had to buy a replacement was when some douche stole them. They are like candy to theives!

And I do believe they are still made in the States.

[onedef92]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

I don't recall Vaughn being available up here. I've been an Estwing junkie all my life. Got a slew of 'em for different jobs, and the hatchets are tops. And the only time I've had to buy a replacement was when some douche stole them. They are like candy to theives!

And I do believe they are still made in the States.

My Dad's got an Estwing hatchet. I used to split kindling with it when we burned wood in the stove. Boogers tough as nails, alright.

[clutchdust]

Thing is, you can look at steel and 90% of the time you can just tell by the way it looks if it's worth a shit. I was in a tool shop just the other day where almost everything was a Chinese import and it all just looked cheap. Screw drivers and the like, not such a big deal, but compare a HF pipe wrench to a Ridgid and tell me there isn't a visible difference in quality.

[Bucwheat]

Hey, I shop at HF all the time,bought two side grinders there 5 years ago and they still work fine.

[sxeC6]

Originally Posted by Montehall

I remember reading somewhere that a few companies are re-openeing thier US plants because thay realized that the US is the largest consumer, and making cheap shit does them no good if no one has money to buy it.

Exactly, if we send all our manufacturing elsewhere, who's left to buy it here? We need to restore our quality manufacturing. Sure, it will cost us more, but, if the items work better, last longer, and keep people employed, it's worth it in the long run.

[Truck Guy]

Originally Posted by C5Nate

I've bought lots of stuff from HF.

While they may not be the best in quality they have tools that you may only use once or twice in your lifetime.

All their hand tools have a lifetime guarantee.

I bought a set of 1 inch to 3 inch sockets and 1 inch driver for $32.00 with a coupon. 1 socket from sears or snap-on would cost more than the entire set.

Used the 1 1/2 inch on a friends steel building. We had a 5 foot pipe over the end of the ratchet with 2 big guys on it. Finally snapped the bolt.

If I had to rely on tools for a living, it would be snap-on, matco or craftsman.

For just occasional use, HF tools do just fine.

I buy stuff that I know I'll only use once or twice from HF

Just bought some deep well 3/8" sockets for $13.00 a set. If it breaks, take it back.

[Jay13]

Originally Posted by C5SilverBullet

Different hammers for different things, plus I give them away a lot. My grandmother never let anyone work on her house with cheap Chinese hammers, so she always gave one of the Vaughn or Craftsman hammers to the guys doing the work. I do the same.

Whenever I go to Illinois, she'll give me 5-6 of them, since she still gets them free from the factory.

Lifetime warranty on them too, and they are sold at Sears & Lowe's.

So send me a freakin set of hammers already!! Mine are all pieces of Chinese shit!

[LATB]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

I don't recall Vaughn being available up here. I've been an Estwing junkie all my life. Got a slew of 'em for different jobs, and the hatchets are tops. And the only time I've had to buy a replacement was when some douche stole them. They are like candy to theives!

And I do believe they are still made in the States.

Estwing makes a good product no doubt.

but from a carpenters perspective...and, I bet I've swung a hammer more...and banged more mails, than ANYONE here x100000000000......

nothing, and I mean NOTHING beats a wood handle hammer. those steel handle hammers will wear your arm, wrist & shoulders out. not from weight, but from the recoil that travels from the steel. and no...the leather wrapping on the Estwing doesn't help.

also, fiberglass handle hammers are junk. they do absorb some recoil impact, but they splinter and those splinters WILL end up in your hand.

Wood handle hammers are the way to go for anyone who swings regularly...hickory being the favorite of most seasoned carpenters.

but, even a cheap ass Chinese 16 oz claw hammer with a wood handle is better than the best and most expensive hammer w/ steel or glass handle.

[C5SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Jay13

So send me a freakin set of hammers already!! Mine are all pieces of Chinese shit!

Send me your address, and I'll send you a hammer.

I have 2 or 3 at the house.

[Kerrmudgeon]

Originally Posted by LarsAtTheBeach

Estwing makes a good product no doubt....the leather wrapping on the Estwing doesn't help.

I agree Lars, but the leather stack one is my showy/feels good in your hand favorite. I've got steel/rubber grip and wood hammers for long jobs.