Chinese Tools and Equipment.

3979 Views 15 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Jdw1, Oct 4, 2020

Scotty370

Discussion Starter · Jan 13, 2012

I didn't really know where to post this, but we'll try it here and the Moderators can move as they see fit. I just got this ad from Harbor Freight: (I hope it 'links')

http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...2b_appends.html&cust=99999999999&keycode=1007

How can they sell this stuff so cheap! I know labor etc., but come-on.........

I rememember the days that when stuff was labeled "Made in Japan" my Dad would go ballistic in that it was 'trash'! Of course he was working in an aircraft plant in the 40's, making planes to try to kill the basta.....Well nevermind. After we lost our American TV producers, Motorola, Slyvania, etc, that we had here locally, the Japanese product quality went threw the roof, and were the finiest to be found! Along came Kia, and Hyundia in the Auto arena. Their quality was putrid! Now they produce some awesome vehicles that come up to any standards in the American industry. Question is this: Do you think that the Chinese Tool Manufactures (Harbor Freight) will ultimately be forced (or by their own election) become the 'New' Craftsmen, Mac, or Snap-On of the future? Just some 'musings' on a Thursday night..........~Scotty

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dieselshadow

· #2 · Jan 13, 2012

You're still sending American dollars to China. You can't avoid it 100% but you won't find me in Walmart. I use Harbour Frieght as a means to an ends. In other words, I'm in a jam and I need something right now that I don't expect to last past the job at hand. Even then, I can't stand it. I hate paying for something more than once. The old saying applys here,"you get what you paid for." That's why I own a John Deere.

Ok, sorry, I'll shut up now...

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Scotty370

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 13, 2012

No Diesel......Don't 'shut up"............

dieselshadow said:
You're still sending American dollars to China. You can't avoid it 100% but you won't find me in Walmart. I use Harbour Frieght as a means to an ends. In other words, I'm in a jam and I need something right now that I don't expect to last past the job at hand. Even then, I can't stand it. I hate paying for something more than once. The old saying applys here,"you get what you paid for." That's why I own a John Deere.

Ok, sorry, I'll shut up now...

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That's exactly the kind of dialog that I was trying to get started! I'm also a Walmart 'distainee", if that's a word! I'll buy ammo if it's Winchester, or Remington, and I don't even know if that's made on-shore! I guess what I was asking is : Do folks think that 10-15 years out that the inferior tools, of the HF storefronts, are going to rival any USA produced products. I really feel for our next generations, when we don't make anything, anymore! Are they going to be religated to service oriented jobs! It's sad.............~Scotty

dieselshadow

· #4 · Jan 13, 2012

It is very sad. I hope America wakes up and does something about it. I just don't know.

As far as Chinese products in the future, I hope that it stays the same. American made means quality, Chinese equals junk or at best low quality. Time will tell.

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Fran_K

· #5 · Jan 13, 2012

I'll just comment that a lady down the road bought a new Kia and there is some paint bleding at some trim along the side issue. I am talking like within a month or no more than two so I think your first post in this thread isn't accurate. Very frustating how things have been allowed to go without marking where things are made. It used to be every screwdriver in a set was marked now only the packaging is. I bought this pole saw I put a picture of elsewhere. It says made in Germany on the bar, that is it no tag on the engine or any other part. If some entity wants to make the highest quality stuff in the world they probably could invest in a facility in China. Now whether you could prosecute someone for patent infringment might be a deterent.

edit: According to the lady the kia is actually made in America I forgot where exactly. It was in the United States.

mjncad

· #6 · Jan 13, 2012

Scotty370 said:
After we lost our American TV producers, Motorola, Slyvania, etc, that we had here locally, the Japanese product quality went threw the roof, and were the finiest to be found! Along came Kia, and Hyundia in the Auto arena. Their quality was putrid! Now they produce some awesome vehicles that come up to any standards in the American industry. Question is this: Do you think that the Chinese Tool Manufactures (Harbor Freight) will ultimately be forced (or by their own election) become the 'New' Craftsmen, Mac, or Snap-On of the future? Scotty

The Japanese learned the value of quality from W. Edwards Deming. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Deming Be sure to read his "7 deadly diseases" especially number 2 at the bottom of the article.

As long as the Chinese have no real competition to make better quality products; they will use their immense size to continue producing crap.

Regarding KIA...they are getting better; but aren't quite there yet from what I've seen of their products at car shows. However; I have a problem with the thought of owning a car named KIA that is an acronym for "Killed In Action."

Scotty370 said:
I really feel for our next generations, when we don't make anything, anymore! Are they going to be religated to service oriented jobs! It's sad.............~Scotty

Although the global economy is here to stay, I maintain that a country that can't or won't provide for itself is doomed to failure. We need to be doing more to provide for our country; but that's going to take a fundamental shift in D.C. to quit over regulating and over taxing companies and people to death, and the American people will have to realize that manufacturing jobs won't be paying the big bucks wages common during the union heyday era of post WW2 America. Maybe Americans do realize that; but the unions sure haven't.

fran...k. said:
Now whether you could prosecute someone for patent infringment might be a deterent.

In China, the attitude is, "Patents? We don't need no stinkin' patents." Sadly our patent system has become a joke with a burdensome bureaucracy that is more interested in generating revenue for Uncle Sam than it is in protecting innovation.

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Scotty370

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 13, 2012

Thanks MJN..........

That's the kind of thought that I was trying to provoke.........I'll read your Wiki link. I guess I just wish that we'd get back into 'building' anything other than the Gestapo mandated windmills and solar panels! (Solyndra worked out real well......). Don't get me wrong, I'm not for trashing our environment, but the NIMBY's and Tree huggers, have taken us off the playing field. Now that they're all camped out at "Occupy Anywhere" Could we please get Congress to allow the resourceful American work force to build anything without their strangle hold? Thanks again! ~Scotty

Kennyd

· #8 · Jan 14, 2012

I have a few HF (Horrible Fright) items that I think where an OK deal:

1) The 1/2" drive Heavy Duty Deep Impact sockets are a really good deal, mine can with a nice metal case but I think that has changed to cheap plastic now. My sets (SEA and Metric) are also made in Taiwan and not China. http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-sae-deep-wall-impact-socket-set-67903.html
They also have a new line called Pittsburg "PRO" that looks OK-I saw them in the store a few weeks ago.

2) 5" Vise: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html I think I paid $50 for mine, and it is not to bad.

3) Needle Scaler: http://www.harborfreight.com/air-needle-scaler-1108.html works pretty well also.

4) Parts Bins: http://www.harborfreight.com/parts-rack-with-removable-bins-95496.html I have 4 of these unit's, they used to be $30 and on sale for less.

I have read good things about the red tool box's they sell, and they looked decent in the store. I probably have a few other small things, but those are the big ones. I will NOT buy anything electric form them!

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KHOP

· #9 · Jan 14, 2012

HF Tools

The last large item I bought from HF was a cement mixer. I got it on sale for $190 and it was a good buy. I am remodeling another small home and used the mixer to mix over 115 60lb bags of concrete. The first ten bags seemed like a breeze, then my age (53) kicked in. I couldn't wear out the mixer, it won.
It is hit and miss with some of their tools. Like they say "you get what you pay for". I didn't go cheap with my tractor though.
KHOP

Concrete mixer Floor Warehouse

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mjncad

· #10 · Jan 14, 2012

You're welcome Scotty.

deeregator

· #11 · Jan 14, 2012

Chinese tools

I buy American products if they are better or equal to other choices. One of my vehicles is a Prius (Japan). Nothing comparable made in the USA. My solar panels are made in Germany. My John Deere has parts made in India. The FEL is made in Mexico. The rototiller is made in China. HF has some good products and some poorly made. You have to look at each individual product (sometimes each batch) and be selective.

rgd

· #12 · Jan 14, 2012

I bought their tubing bender (16 ton). its doing a good job so far.

X758er

· #13 · Oct 4, 2020

Horror freight has awesome zip ties and really good stinky rubber products.
Go China!

theduke

· #14 · Oct 4, 2020

Their Zip ties last a year in the sun....bout the same for the Bungees.

I have 2 of there Gantry cranes for the Sawmill...there fine....bought used for half price.
Steel is basicly steel.....I know there limits......My everyday cranes are American by ME.

Have there 20 ton press.......Earned its place in the shop on the first Browning build.

A few other goofy tools tat are a once in 10 yr use but nice to have if and when I can find them.

I'm done shoppin there...No more Walmart...I like the new TSC...but I suspect theres some Chiner stuff happening.....Still like it for now.

I'll buy once cry once on any tool of weekly/monthly use ....china has wrecked us in multiple ways.

I'm not a fan of supporting them ever.......maybe the poor people they have abused ( slaves/prisoners)
as a country..They are next on the list of war games.

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SRG

· #15 · Oct 4, 2020

Go Recommended Reading!

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Jdw1

· #16 · Oct 4, 2020

I realize this is an old thread, if you have Netflix, watch “American Factory”, it will tell you a lot, part of the problem is our own greed and insecurities (as humans) about our lifestyle and how it impacts the us workers an business owners!
To me, it is extremely sad to watch!

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