How times have changed -- products made in China.

O

Oystein

Registered Senior Member
Now, this is only about one product but it's pretty funny . . .

At Amazon.com, products are reviewed, sometimes by several people, sometimes by thousands of people. I was reading the reviews for hand tools, wrenches I think, and came across someone who was asking if these tools were made in India. Another customer answered him with (paraphrased) "No, these are still the well-made tools from China."

I remember back in the late 60s when items made in Japan were laughed at. It wasn't too long before the reality set in that the better motorcycles and cars were being made in Japan. Better than the US anyhow. German motorcycles and cars were always quite good.

Funny how times change.
 
BTW, almost all Harley-Davidson aftermarket parts (these are the official Harley parts sold on the H-D website) are made in China. And they are pretty damn good too.
 
When I last bought a set of sockets, I paid more for American manufacture - I've had too much experience with tool failure, breaking Chinese sockets in particular. That was some years ago (both justifying the expense, as they have proved rugged, and explaining part of the market loss, as I have needed no further purchases in that line). Maybe things are different now.
 
I'm not a pro mechanic so Chinese hand tools are fine by me. Back in the day it used to be that top-of-the-line were Snap-On tools, then Craftsman, then S-K Wayne, then others. Not sure if that holds up today . . . .
 
<-----------has bought tools made in china.
<-------------uses tools till they break, then rebuilds them and uses them again, and again, and again
<-------------has been frustrated with the unavailability of spare parts for tools made in china

If it ain't repairable, then it is an investment in landfill crap.

(on the other side ---delta 5hp 3 phase unisaw table saw needed new bearings---delta supplier wanted $32/ bearing and said there would be a 6 week wait----------damn damn damn---the last thing i wanted was a torn down saw cluttering up my shop--------upon closer examination, and a little web research, and a few phone calls, the bearings were a common item---bought them at barrons automotive for $2.50 each---they had many more than I needed in stock)
so, the parts supply problem ain't just with chinese tools...

Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that customer service matters much more than the brand or cost of a tool.
 
Well, I was referring to non-electric hand tools. Things like wrenches, sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, hand-saws, etc.. For electric tools I have mostly Makita (Japanese). Without welding, not sure how you'd fix a broken socket, and the fix may cost more than the tool. Back in the day if a Craftsman or Snap-On tool broke, then you could get a free replacement just by taking it to Sears or waiting for the Snap-On man to drive by.
 
Some Craftsman hand-tools are made in China and Taiwan. Not sure of the percentage but it seems like half.

Snap-On tools are still made in the USA. Top end and pricey.
 
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