YES!! Chinese hand tools are made to very loose tolerances and cheap steel. Even Sears Craftsman Tools are crap when compared to Matco, Snap-On, MAC, etc. A Craftsman Phillips screwdriver will strip out a phillips head screw in a NY minute. The better quality tools won't. Even Craftsman wrenches will "expand" when too much torque is applied. I've watched it happen. I DO have a set of tools that was made in China that I keep in the truck for emergency repairs. Those seem to be pretty decent. I found them at a Walmart in Virginia. I haven't been able to find another set like them. (It's a "Popular Mechanics" set with just about everything one could need for vehicle maintenance.)
That said, when it comes to drills drivers, electric saws, weed eaters, and some things like that, I've had really good luck with Ryobi. HOWEVER, their drill bits are mediocre.
I absolutely agree that Matco and Snap-On are spot on, for generally having the highest quality tools across their given lines. You're paying a premium, but the quality and service is phenomenal! However, it seems all of the cross-spectrum tool brands utilize contract manufacturing now and have shipped production overseas. It just seems a bit irksome to me at times, granted... with those brands you're also paying for customer service and support.
Amongst the widely considered Tier 1 brands:
Snap-On, now has one of the largest high-quality tool production facilities in... China. They produce for other brands, parts for Snap-On's internal customers (to be assembled in America), and coincidentally have now removed the "Made in the USA" stamps on their tools. Even Snap-On's website, lists more and more of not just the Blue-Point line but Snap-On as well, as having China or Taiwan listed as the country of origin. Still, Snap-On makes
some of the best tools in the world, without question. Although, with some items, others makes are better.
Matco, is pretty much right beside Snap-On, for the most part, IMHO. However, Matco is getting more and more into contract and Taiwanese manufacturing. The quality IS still there, without a doubt IMO, but it's still irksome. Thankfully, most of Matco's outsourcing tends to go to Snap-On like quality manufacturers such as Knipex, Whitte, Facom, etc. Still, unless you're receiving a great discount, or are utilizing Matco's warranty, the average person can save a bundle by ordering directly from the source brands. I also tend to think Matco's boxes are, on average, higher quality than Snap-On's or at least particularly in the sub-$10k boxes.
Mac, eeks... I pretty much stay far away from, and the whole "
Made
Across
China" jests, don't seem too far off based. Regardless, I've personally never had the best experience with Mac, and with how the whole Stanley fiasco unfolded... I'm too leery of the company.
Cornwell, I've never had much experience with. They don't, or used to not allow online ordering, seeing as it's an employee/dealer owned company. From scanning their catalogs though, it's apparent that a lot of it is contract manufactured out. Sometimes it's worth it to pay more, if you're having great service from a truck or sales rep visiting you, but if you're not...
Armstrong, which now can be found at Sears.com and local Fastenal distributors in addition to industrial supply houses are still one of the best all around professional quality brands with a balance of quality, service, and value. Danaher has been always aiming to target the brand to industrial facilities as about 10-15% below Snap-On in quality, but at upwards of a 25-30% savings. Considering distributors can often give additional discounts as loss leaders, they really can be a great buy. Plus, their hand tools at least are made here.
Of course, than again you have the
Knipex,
Whitte,
Facom,
Wiha,
Wera,
Beta, etc. Euro brands which without a doubt are all up there, but a bit hard to find or have serviced here.
Not that
Craftsman is considered in the same quality as those listed above, but there older stuff was of much higher quality, but long ago they realized more profits were to be had making tools for the masses. Certainly they're no where near the quality of the above brands. Additionally, they're marketing their brand now, and so almost all of it is contract manufactured out. My work actually banned Craftsman, not because they're necessarily bad tools, but because depending on who made the tools at the time... the quality would have staggering levels of difference. At times though, and with Sears aggressive discounting,
Craftsman Pro tools are some of the highest quality and best valued tools, period! For awhile they had Knipex producing some tongue and groove pliers, Matco adjustable wrenches, and Armstrong sockets... of course, the next production cycle can have a new lowest-cost bidder, with a quality level that falls in suit. Which of course, could be irritating when you go in to replace a high-end Armstrong socket and are given garbage.
