Made in usa

2456 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by ponyboy, Mar 21, 2014

robmac85

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2014 (Edited)

Lately I've been disgusted with the cheap imports that are flooding the electrical market. From the Topaz fittings that I have to beat onto the pipe, to the Hubbell wiring devices that used to be the cream of the crop that now are made on the other side of the world it's disgusting. Not that long ago most of our stuff was made domestically, it's not often that you see this today...

I know a lot of guys could care less, but MADE IN USA directly effects us in the electrical trade. Manufacturing facilities employ maintenance electricians full time and are constantly upgrading and making changes to production requiring the services of electrical contractors. So here's a list of some stuff that's still made here that I can think of off the top of my head. Sometimes it's impossible, but we ought to support companies using American workers and using stuff made here. As you pop open a box and see that made in USA add it to the list.

Ideal industries - Most stuff made in US
Klein Tools - alot made in the US but watch out they're slipping in imports more and more.
Mulberry - almost everything made in US
Leviton - most devices made in US
Cooper Wiring Devices - standard devices made in US
RACO- boxes made in US
T&B - boxes made in US
Bridgeport Fittings - mostly USA
Arlington Industries - mostly USA
King Staples - staples and straps All US
Slater plastic boxes - USA
Mercury light fixtures - USA
Eaton / C-H - Disconnects/ some breakers US
P&S - cover plates just about only thing US
Lennox - blades/ hole saws/ arbors
Milbank - meter sockets USA
Generac - generators made in US with foreign parts
Kohler - generators made in US
Carlon - PVC stuff made in USA
Southern Pipe - PVC pipe made in USA
3M - Some US made stuff

That's what I have at the moment. Keep em coming

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Reactions: 2

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

butcher733

· #2 · Mar 21, 2014

new balance tennis shoes. look for the label on the box. just as important as electrical products.

Reactions: 2

DEelectrician88

· #3 · Mar 21, 2014

Good to know! It's a shame more people don't have this mentality

MTW

· #4 · Mar 21, 2014

I saw some 4" square boxes made by Umi. I'm assuming they are made in China.

Awg-Dawg

· #5 · Mar 21, 2014

Ill look tomorrow, but Ive been putting in receptacles from I "think" Leviton that have the Made in Usa black magic markered out.

Not blacked out, an actual black magic marker.

robmac85

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 21, 2014

Yeah those UMI metal boxes are all China. Suppliers love to charge RACO and Bridgeport prices for UMI and Topaz.

dawgs

· #7 · Mar 21, 2014

robmac85 said:
Lately I've been disgusted with the cheap imports that are flooding the electrical market. From the Topaz fittings that I have to beat onto the pipe, to the Hubbell wiring devices that used to be the cream of the crop that now are made on the other side of the world it's disgusting. Not that long ago most of our stuff was made domestically, it's not often that you see this today...

I know a lot of guys could care less, but MADE IN USA directly effects us in the electrical trade. Manufacturing facilities employ maintenance electricians full time and are constantly upgrading and making changes to production requiring the services of electrical contractors. So here's a list of some stuff that's still made here that I can think of off the top of my head. Sometimes it's impossible, but we ought to support companies using American workers and using stuff made here. As you pop open a box and see that made in USA add it to the list.

Ideal industries - Most stuff made in US
Klein Tools - alot made in the US but watch out they're slipping in imports more and more.
Mulberry - almost everything made in US
Leviton - most devices made in US
Cooper Wiring Devices - standard devices made in US
RACO- boxes made in US
T&B - boxes made in US
Bridgeport Fittings - mostly USA
Arlington Industries - mostly USA
King Staples - staples and straps All US
Slater plastic boxes - USA
Mercury light fixtures - USA
Eaton / C-H - Disconnects/ some breakers US
P&S - cover plates just about only thing US
Lennox - blades/ hole saws/ arbors
Milbank - meter sockets USA
Generac - generators made in US with foreign parts
Kohler - generators made in US
Carlon - PVC stuff made in USA
Southern Pipe - PVC pipe made in USA
3M - Some US made stuff

That's what I have at the moment. Keep em coming

Crouse hinds.

FrunkSlammer

· #8 · Mar 21, 2014

Today I fixed a made in china light.

Had it been made in America, I would be out that money.

Made in America? No thanks!

Chrisibew440

· #9 · Mar 21, 2014

Occidental tool leather. Hand made in the USA with USA made materials.
Damn I look sexy!

Going_Commando

· #10 · Mar 21, 2014

Viking staples are also made in the USA, and I think Briscons are too, though we don't buy those.

ponyboy

· #11 · Mar 21, 2014

robmac85 said:
Yeah those UMI metal boxes are all China. Suppliers love to charge RACO and Bridgeport prices for UMI and Topaz.

I've used a pile of umi 4 squares. If the quality were subpar I'd be on board with you. But it's not. It's a 4" sq box, it does what 4" sq boxes do. It sits there and holds wires

Going_Commando

· #12 · Mar 21, 2014

ponyboy said:
I've used a pile of umi 4 squares. If the quality were subpar I'd be on board with you. But it's not. It's a 4" sq box, it does what 4" sq boxes do. It sits there and holds wires

I've never seen an Umi. I have predominantly used Steel City with a smattering of crouse hinds mixed in. Are they cheaper?

running dummy

· #13 · Mar 21, 2014

Thorogood work boots, made in Wisconsin.

robmac85

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 21, 2014

ponyboy said:
I've used a pile of umi 4 squares. If the quality were subpar I'd be on board with you. But it's not. It's a 4" sq box, it does what 4" sq boxes do. It sits there and holds wires

Yeah I've used tons of UMI boxes myself becuase thats what the supply house sent me, and of course they work just fine. Thats not my point. Point is to just to be aware of whats USA made and whats not. Like I said some guys dont care where its from and thats just fine. I just buy American stuff whenever I can, every little bit counts.

Chrisibew440

· #15 · Mar 21, 2014

running dummy said:
Thorogood work boots, made in Wisconsin.

Union made at that.

ponyboy

· #16 · Mar 21, 2014

Going_Commando said:
I've never seen an Umi. I have predominantly used Steel City with a smattering of crouse hinds mixed in. Are they cheaper?

No idea. Like the other guy is saying the supply house just sent them. I suspect they are though

Jlarson

· #17 · Mar 21, 2014

Are the Umi's the duller gray ones with the round ground screw boss?

ponyboy

· #18 · Mar 21, 2014 (Edited)

robmac85 said:
Yeah I've used tons of UMI boxes myself becuase thats what the supply house sent me, and of course they work just fine. Thats not my point. Point is to just to be aware of whats USA made and whats not. Like I said some guys dont care where its from and thats just fine. I just buy American stuff whenever I can, every little bit counts.

Yeah I hear ya. I'm not advocating the use of non domestic products but I'm not taking up the cross for something as trivial as 4 squares. I buy American made vehicles, guitars, and whiskey. That alone more than covers the difference on the small margin of foreign electrical junk I order

Reactions: 1

ponyboy

· #19 · Mar 21, 2014

Jlarson said:
Are the Umi's the duller gray ones with the round ground screw boss?

I don't think they're duller but I never really looked at them. I think the ground screw is raised like normal. I do know the 3/4 KOs come out a lot easier which is nice

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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