General Tools Canvas Fastener

About General Tools & Instruments

For nearly a century, General Tools & Instruments has built a reputation as a go-to source for specialty hand tools and precision measuring instruments. Founded in New York and now headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey, the company got its start in the early 20th century supplying tradespeople with hard-to-find specialty items — circle cutters, metal punches, and pocket screwdrivers among them. What began as a small catalog of clever specialty tools has grown into a vast lineup trusted by professional tradesmen, seasoned craftsmen, and dedicated DIYers alike.

What sets General Tools apart is a culture of ingenuity. Rather than chasing mass-market tool categories, the brand has consistently focused on solving specific, real-world problems with purpose-built instruments. That philosophy shows up across their entire product range, from highly accurate digital and analog measuring tools to inspection technology that lets you see inside walls, engines, and pipes without tearing anything apart.

Precision Measurement You Can Count On

At the heart of the General Tools lineup is an impressive collection of multi-purpose measuring calipers. Whether you need a traditional dial caliper for the shop bench or a digital LCD model for fast, repeatable readings, General Tools offers both analog and electronic options spanning a wide range of sizes and materials — including steel and carbon fiber bodies. These calipers handle length, width, height, and depth measurements with the kind of accuracy that engineers and machinists demand.

Rounding out the precision measurement category, General Tools also produces a well-regarded selection of rulers — including steel rules and specialty gauges designed for layout, marking, and shop measurement tasks where consistency matters most.

See the Unseen with Inspection Camera Accessories

General Tools has become a recognized name in video inspection technology, offering a wide variety of inspection cameras tailored to different environments — waterproof, Wi-Fi enabled, articulating, and pipe-and-duct models. Their inspection camera accessory kits complement these cameras with the add-ons needed to extend reach, improve visibility, and adapt to challenging inspection scenarios. Whether you're checking engine passages, HVAC ducts, or plumbing lines, these accessories help get the job done without guesswork.

Specialty Fabrication and Threading Tools

For machinists, mechanics, and metalworkers, General Tools offers a solid assortment of hand punches — tools engineered to create clean, precise holes in sheet metal, leather, gaskets, and other materials. Their punch lineup spans a variety of sizes and styles, making them a dependable choice for fabrication and repair work in the garage or the machine shop.

Threading tasks are equally well-covered with General Tools' tap and die sets, which provide the taps, dies, and accessories needed to cut, clean, or repair both internal and external threads. These sets are an essential part of any serious mechanic's or machinist's toolbox when dealing with fasteners, custom fabrication, or salvaging damaged threads on engine components and hardware.

A Legacy of Specialty Innovation

Across all of these categories, what ties the General Tools experience together is a commitment to solving specific problems exceptionally well. The brand's portfolio — which also extends to laser measures, inspection magnifiers, woodworking tools, and more — reflects decades of listening to what tradespeople actually need on the job. For anyone who demands accuracy, durability, and smart design from their hand tools and precision instruments, General Tools remains one of the most trusted names in the business.