Buying American Made...Sometimes Hard to Do

[Rudi]

One of the concepts that is being basically overlooked is the type of use. If you use these tools for everyday use to earn a living as in being a professional, then most of the HF stuff will not stand up to that kind of abuse. So .. Snap On, MAC, Blue Point, etc., and probably have the ability to write it off. If you are a hobbyist - and by definition the use will be much lighter than professional jobs, then HF, Princess etc., will suffice and will probably last a long time.

I bought a Needle Scaler from Princess - cost me $19.99 on sale. If it lasts for a couple jobs then it was worth it. If it fails - well I get a new one. To buy a professional such as Ingersoll Rand - well these are the prices on .. 10 times what I paid. Will it last longer, surely will but do I want to spend that much on a tool I may use twice or three times a year ?? the answer to that would be a resounding no.

It is all about economics .. our hobbies are not our jobs so the quality need not be as high. For the pro user (and I still have all my tools from when I was working as a custom cabinet maker - they are all higher end tools and not HF tools or the economy brands from Lowes/Home Depot etc.), it is a different ball game and the proper tools have to be used.

[Boss Hog]

I try to buy made in the USA , but it is hard to do. Lots of things are not made over here any more. As to why, free trade act
would be one thing that comes to mind. If enough duties or taxes was charged on imported goods , the American made would be more appealing. But still at a higher price. The country has been given away
A very said condition.

[Dennis]

I think we have beat this dead horse well enough. Time to lock it for posterity.