I recently saw on social media that Channellock has launched a new line of levels. Looking deeper, there are multiple styles, and they’ve also hinted that additional layout tools are on the way.
There are 2 styles of levels, I-beam, and box beam, and for most of the sizes you can choose between plain and magnetic reference surfaces. Sizes are available from 24″ to 78″.
Here is the full list of sizes and styles:
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Channellock I-Beam Levels
- 24″ (5100-0024)
- 24″ Magnetic (5100-0024M)
- 48″ (5100-0048)
- 48″ Magnetic (5100-0048M)
- 72″ (5100-0072)
- 78″ Magnetic (5100-0078M)
Channellock Box Beam Levels
- 24″ (5200-0024)
- 24″ Magnetic (5200-0024M)
- 48″ (5200-0048)
- 48″ Magnetic (5200-0048M)
- 72″ (5200-0072)
- 78″ Magnetic (5200-0078M)
All of the levels feature 0.0005 inch per inch tolerance in all 10 working positions, aluminum construction, impact-resistant end caps, and high contrast vials.
It looks like the Channellock levels are only available at Amazon, at least for the moment.
Channellock says they are making these in China to ANSI standards. In my experience, Channellock tends to have a very respectable history of only outsourcing production to overseas partners when there are no other feasible options.
Images on their website for the layout tools category suggest that we might be seeing Channellock rafter squares in the future.
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Jeffrey
I believe that Milwaukee and Empire are making similar rafter and trim squares in the USA.
I do not believe, for one second, that they did not have a feasible option for producing them domestically. This is 100% about profit.
Stuart
Milwaukee owns Empire and to my knowledge doesn’t make tools for other brands.
Channellock has been very consistent when it comes to sourcing, choosing USA when possible.
If they start making changes to existing products, that would be cause for concern. To my knowledge, they’ve only ever switched from import to USA production (screwdrivers).
The COO is worth noting, but not a big deal in my opinion, in the context of Channellock, given their history and how transparent they have been about it.
Al
I thought they were using the same supplier as Tekton hard-handled screwdrivers. I thought I bought a set for my wife. Maybe my memory is failing me.
Update: Sorry, I read that wrong. Changed _from_ import to USA. Yes, you covered that here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/channellock-screwdrivers-usa-announcement-2023/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Stuart
Yup.
Back in 2009, they expanded their licensed screwdrivers into main-line items. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/channellocks-new-code-blue-screwdrivers-and-nutdrivers-2009/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I remember talking to Channellock, and they said something about how they couldn’t find suitable USA suppliers.
In 2012 they switched to USA sourcing for their pliers’ cushion handle grips. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/channellock-code-blue-pliers-now-100-usa-made/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
In 2014 they launched new USA-made screwdrivers. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/channellock-screwdrivers-usa/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
And as you linked-to, they launched new USA-made screwdrivers in 2023. I believe they’re made by Mayhew.
It’s interesting to think about how everything fell into place. I’m guessing that Tekton’s USA hand tool expansion helped push Mayhew to expand their capabilities, and expanded capabilities opened the door for Channellock and maybe others to place their own orders.
In any case, Channellock never seems to hide from their sourcing decisions.
Just like they did 16 years ago https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/channellocks-is-an-example-to-be-followed/%3C/a%3E , Channellock continues to disclose when products are not made here.
I trust that they’d make the levels here if they could. I see that differently compared to where some brands used to make levels and squares here and then decided to send production overseas.
ITCD
I think Ideal Industries’ closures regarding their tool division also helped Mayhew. Up until then several companies seemed to be going through Western Forge for their goods, including Wright and Martin. Folding that opened an opportunity for Mayhew to slot in as a made in USA OEM; obviously could have hopped in anyway, but filling in that demand from other companies as well may have helped make it lucrative enough to spend what money needed spent on development and tooling.
Bonnie
Feasibility includes meeting a market price point. Channellock is, to my mind, a mid-tier brand outside their eponymous pliers and exactly where I’d expect to see Taiwanese or similar imports for their secondary products like this.
ITCD
Milwaukee owns Empire which is how Milwaukee is getting their goods, and Empire already has the requisite equipment and know-how as that’s their bread and butter.
Channellock is still a pliers company at heart, and just expanding into some other lines lately but outsourcing to do so rather than building facilities or otherwise bringing new equipment and know-how (or forking over an R&D commitment) to do so, since aluminum extrusions don’t play into the deck they’re playing with as they aren’t drop forged or any of that.
Stuart
Milwaukee didn’t just buy Empire; they discussed how they invested a good chunk of money into expanding and modernizing the factory. I believe that they gained know-how – as you said – and also a running start into the layout tools industry.
No brand is starting new production lines or opening new factories in the USA without large retail orders spanning years.
Ask Malco about how well Eagle Grip worked out for them.
If you need 1,000 pencils, you buy them from a pencil company. If you need 10,000,000, that’s when you learn how to make pencils.
fred
Like others in the mature and crowded hand tool business they must be feeling the pressure of competition from both the top (e.g. premium German brands like Knipex and NWS) and bottom (alphabet soup brands found on Amazon) – and everything in between. It is remarkable that they – a 5th generation family business is still competitive. Now, like Klein and others they may be in a fight for survival. I don’t recall when I saw any new-design pliers from the brand – so I guess they figure branching out will help them. Earlier this year they announced they were partnering with a Canadian firm to offer auto accessories like bike racks. Now its levels and squares. I hope they find success – but I have some trepidations.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Very informative, thanks!
Do professionals buy tools from the alphabet soup Chinese? If I were a pro, I’d get something I could rely on, and getting the absolute lowest price wouldn’t be a priority (especially if I can deduct or amortize them as a business expense).
Jeffrey
Some people care, some people don’t.
You can buy the Milwaukee rafter square and the trim square, as a set, for $20 on sale.
PW
Do you consider their “speedgrip” pliers a new design? I guess it’s been 5 or 6 years, but I feel like they’re trying to keep abrest of the competition in their core market.
I really appreciate that they’re still making USA hand tools at affordable prices, and do worry they they’re getting squeezed from both ends.
Stuart
Those pliers were a valiant effort.
Oarman
Maybe it’s just from reading this site but I don’t understand why so many brands are rushing to dilute their name by licensing products outside their core competencies, especially when it involves increasingly contentious PRC production. This feels like consultants somewhere laughing to the bank.
Stuart
Channellock has had licensed products for a long time. These appear to be new core products, not licensed.
Milwaukee was just a power tool company. Today they offer things like hand tools – include 100% USA-made – and Packout storage. Expansion isn’t always a bad thing.
On the other side of the spectrum, some brands just put their name on everything they can.
As for the reasons, sometimes it’s done for pure profit, other times it’s strategic.