Well, this sure is embarrassing. I came across a USA tool brand that I know nothing about – Pro America.
Pro America looks to be a big-time pliers manufacturer, and although I have never heard of them before, I do recognize some of their designs. What I’m thinking is that they’re mainly an OEM that produces pliers for other brands, which would explain why I’m not familiar with them.
Advertisement
From their website:
For over 50 years, Pro America Premium Tools has been supplying hand tools to the automotive, hardware and retail markets worldwide.
Competitive pricing and state-of-the-art manufacturing contribute to our success as one of the nation’s top choices for hand tools in America.
If you have used Pro America pliers before, what do you think of the brand?
Their pliers seem to be reasonably priced, but they’re a little higher than some other USA brands’ offerings.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Advertisement
Over at Amazon, there are 76 different Pro America pliers sizes and styles available. Whoa! I’ll keep this in mind the next time I want to try out some new pliers for a project.
fred
I have a pair of pliers that were marked “Pro America Tools – American Kal Industries” They are model #5016 – acquired in 2003 to do some UR Connector (Scotch-Lok) splicing on my home telephone system.
They are hanging on a pegboard in my shop – as they were a one-time use sort of tool.
fred
I Googled Pro America 5016 – and my pair look nothing like what I saw.
I Googled Pro America UR Connector pliers – and saw a pair on eBay (# 5018cc) that look more like mine.
Jim Felt
Damnitall. Now I’ve went and bought three odd ball tools from the eBay vendor you just mentioned. Have you no sense of my foolishness?
Oh well. Postage paid is always nice.
Peace.
Joel
I find them, along with Kal, often at surplus stores. Some appear to be Snap-On castoffs? The finish is VERY familiar.
Hang Fire
I know one thing, I don’t buy pliers with that type of spring opener. Nothing but trouble.
Adam
Agreed. The pliers in the pic look low-rent.
Joe Hanson
Why exactly? I haven’t really tried the spring assisted type much yet and I’m curious as to what lead you to dislike the design.
mike aka Fazzman
Yeah id agree with the above,never heard of,but with that name they are probably sold mostly in wally world stores.
Mike
I have two miniature pliers from them. One is a long needle nose with smooth cross hatching. Another is the standard needle nose pliers like you have pictured here. I was VERY unimpressed with the longevity of both. It wasn’t even six months before they both aquired severe handle wobble due to the joint wearing. It is so bad on the long needle nose pair that the spring frequently separates and has to be reset. Neither sees much use any longer.
For the price paid I wasn’t happy at all. Mine saw light to delicate duty on an electronics workbench and in smaller panel enclosures. The pliers I bought to replace these two have lasted many times longer and still have only a perceptible wobble, yet cost 1/4 as much.
Sometimes buying solely on COO ends up biting you, no?
Coach James
I have several Pro America KAL made in USA combination wrenches that I bought from a government surplus seller years ago. I’ve used them many times and they have been fine. They remind me somewhat of the Allen combo wrenches, but the Pro America have a nicer finish.
Nathan
funny I have 2 sets of pliers with that exact style spring assist – they have never once given me troubles.
one of which is a german company.
they are both small though, one’s a cutter and the other needle nose.
meanwhile as you say I’ve never seen that make either – but I could see where they are a branded line from one of the other companies. LIke a Allen or Proto etc.
Mark
Pro america was, and possibly still is, a military supplier. The 7″ tongue and groove pair I’ve had for years are my go to. I like them far better then the channel locks or craftsman I have. Also have a combo wrench and a 1/2 ” breaker bar I am pleased with. Not fancy but good tools.
jesse
I wonder if Harry Epstein carries them.
Randy
Jesse, no need to wonder really.
Just go to the Harry Epstein website and check. Then, you can report your findings back to us.
Or, are you just expecting someone else to do that for you?
Grady
I have a small pair of these needle nose plier’s I keep in a small tool box in the house. They’re spring loaded and great for electronic work. They’re also 40 years old and still going strong.
Harry
Proamerica tools have filled government tool sets for many years. The are basic no frills durable tools that get the job done with little fanfare.
T
Never heard of them.
Side note: Their website is horrible, as most tool company sites are. $1 says they paid godaddy or something. The Euro brands are starting to figure it out but their sites are still less than optimal. Jeeze, take a cue from car companies or at least consider hiring a couple comm college web design grads for a few months.
Some of their pieces remind me of Klein offerings. Wouldnt that be something.
Sam
I used pliers like those in a shop for two years. Mostly doing electronics work. Never had any trouble from the spring assist.
Bob
Something else to collect (dammit).
Phenom
I actually have a full Metric Combo Wrenches from Pro America, and a full SAE set of KAL wrenches. They were gifted to me a few years back.
David Watkins
OK so i have about 20 sets of PRO AMERICA socket sets 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ from 4mm-27mm and 3/16″ -1″ deep, shallow, everything.. just not impact. Their finish is great and im extremely impressed with
David Watkins
The fit. Is very nice. Ive left a full set out in the rain on accident when a guy never showed up to buy it and it sat in the bed getting soaked flippin quarter 3/8 and half’s all sat in h20 170 bucks in sockets and not a single dot of rust!