This Buy Wisconsin report is from Mark Horn, AFSCME Local 1, and originally appeared in the Union Labor News, SCFL.
When I was young, the holiday season started for me when the Sears Christmas catalog arrived. Nothing gave me more pleasure or hours of entertainment than hunting through its hundreds of pages for toys, tools, sporting goods; yeah, and they even had clothes. Among its wonders, I was sure to find just the right gift for dad, while I dreamed of the treasures that might also come my way.
I don’t shop from the Sears catalog anymore, but I learned the importance of top quality tools. My bench and toolboxes are full of tools that have delivered years of faithful service; tools I depend on everyday. Today, whether shopping for myself or somebody else, I look for value; that means buying union-made tools.
Knopp K-60 Voltage Tester For seventy years, Knopp has been making top quality electrical testing equipment. They are not the fanciest but their rugged dependability means they will be still be in that special someone’s toolbox a generation from now.
American Beauty Soldering Irons They make serious soldering solutions for the electronic professional. If you know somebody who spends hours at the bench, you know how quickly inferior quality soldering irons fail. Cheap equipment is less comfortable to work with and makes clean work more difficult.
Stanley Tools These are quality tools for the do-it-yourselfer or professional. Few tool lines deliver better value. I have a Stanley tape measure in my hands almost every day.
S-K Hand Tools These tools are top quality tools for the serious automotive or plant mechanic. I wish I could afford more S-K Tools. Their wrenches, sockets and drivers are top notch.
Channellock It’s a trusted name best known for tongue and groove pliers. Anybody who works with their hands probably owns at least one set of “Channellocks” the Kleenex of groove pliers. If I’m wearing a tool belt, it almost certainly contains a set of “Channellocks.”
Warner Their painting, drywall, tile and masonry tools set the standard for painters and wall covering professionals. When I think about that kind of work, Red Devil Razor Blades, Scrapers and Cutters also come to mind. We have original cedar siding on our home and Red Devil scrapers come out when it’s time to make that 88 year old house look like new once more.
Clauss Cutlery Sheers, scissors and tweezers are union made by UAW members.
Reed Manufacturing Pipe Tools and Vices are highest quality professional grade. In the Madison area find them at Pumps and Equipment on Mayfair Avenue, First Supply near Southtown and C&M Hydraulic Tool and Supply in Cambridge.
Union Tools It’s known for garden tools under the Ames True Temper, Griffon Corporation brands. Available at Sears and true value hardware stores; Union Tools are made by members of USW Local 1688.
Rayovac Batteries Holiday giving frequently includes buying batteries. While Rayovac Batteries may no longer be made in Madison, their headquarters remains here and they are still union made.
This year, stuff that stocking with union-made batteries. Your best sources for union made gifts of all kinds are the labor411.org and unionlabel.org websites. Thanks for indulging in my very male centered holiday shopping romp. Next year I promise to turn my attention to those sections of the Christmas catalog that engendered more interest from my union sisters.
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