I generally will not get involved with political discussions because a) there is no one answer and b) what do a bunch of car guys know about the economy when the world's best economists can't figure it out.

That is "RodKnock Validation" of thread content, if I ever heard it....:cool:

Well said Rodknock
Maurice

I'll tell you what: Common Sense.

Politicians and economists leave that at home when they go to work in the morning.

I've often thought about running for president (and the though is happening more often). My platform will be "I can't screw it up any more than they have".

I keep waiting for someone like Harry Truman to come along again. Sadly, noone wants the job.

This is all interesting, but back to the point of my original post... I just bought some used Armstrong metric ratcheting wrenches on eBay for a good price. Clearly US made, and only cost me a bit more than the new Chinese Craftsman stuff. If I like them, I'll buy the SAE set before my Cobra arrives. I'm not hardcore but I prefer to buy American when possible so this seems like a good solution.

Hey y'all, going back to then Craftsman tools being made in China:

My wife (god bless her... she's so awesome) got me a 540-pc mechanics tool set along with a 14-drawer tool cart, AND a 9-drawer tool chest ALL for christmas!! I was so elated and proud until I saw this thread:( Now I will always be proud/thankful that my wife gifted me like that, but wanted to run discuss this with you.

The outside (main) box says "made in USA". I just opened the box to inspect its contents. It seems that out of 540 pieces, there are 76 that do not have "forged in USA" or "made in USA". These 76 are 60 hex keys that come in 4 different packages. The packages themselves are labeled "made in USA" but each key is only marked "Craftman". Then there are 16 ratcheting wrenches (8metric 8inches) that are marked "Craftsman U.S.A." but do not say "made in USA" or "forged in U.S.A.".

So what do you guys make out of all this? Do I have 464 pieces made in the USA and 76 pieces made in China? Or, are they all made in the USA? Or, are they all made in China? If they are all made in China, is Craftsman misrepresenting their product? I have not found "made in China" anywhere in the box or contents...

From what I read here, do I need to deduce that I have a set that is mostly made in USA and a fraction (76 pieces, or 14%) that may have been made in China (or elsewhere since there is no indication)?

Like someone else mentioned earlier, does it really matter (political/economics matter aside) to the rookie/amateur car guy? Probably not...

No, it doesn't matter. The warranty is what matters. There is almost NOTHING sold in the U.S. that is made 100% here. That includes EVERY car from the big three.

It sounds like a really nice set that is mostly if not entirely made here anyway. My point wasn't that all overseas tools are bad. Just that I expected US tools from Craftsman as they have been in the past. I bought my kids each Craftsman starter sets before the Cobra arrives and they are actually US made.

My son got a set of craftsman wrenches for Christmas and I almost had a hemorrhage. Then after further and careful reading of the package, the tools are made here in the USA, and the crappy theft resistant plastic peg board packing is made in China. Close call. They seem as well made as my 20 year old ones. As of late, I've been a fan of Lowe's Kobalt tools.

Also, I bought him a couple of crescent wrenches at home depot. They had a pack with 2 wrenches, black etched parkerized, looking a little more bling, but made in China, or for almost double the cost, you could buy the old looking plain chrome crescent made in the USA, packaged separately. I bought the latter and was glad it was at least clearly enough labeled for me to make that choice.