Country of Origin Trick Question

[Stuey]

I have a question for you guys.

If you had to choose between a foreign made tool vs. a US made tool of lower quality for the same price, what would you do.

So the question is - out of these two options only, would you go for the better quality foreign tool, or lower quality domestic tool?

Personally, I tend to go for the better tool. Sometimes that means a US tool, sometimes it means foreign. For example, I'd gladly take an Asian made Bosch over a US made Craftsman or Black & Decker any day.

Please answer the question using only the quality info I provided.

 

[lbgradwell]

Definitely the foreign-made tool of higher quality. Absolutely no question about it.

I'm not buying junk even if it's domestic.

 

[Merkava_4]

I might buy a Japanese made Mitutoyo caliper, but I won't buy any tools made in Taiwan or China.

 

[Merkava_4]

I have no problem buying French, German, or English though.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

Only foreign made if it's a democratic country (french, german, english, spanish, etc)
otherwise i would look for a better quality domestic tool

 

[wrenchr]

only one person has voted for the lower quality USA, I don't think that was Merkava 4.
lol.........hahahahahahaha.

 

[RenegadeEngr]

This is like Election 08. I'm going independent on this one

 

[Merkava_4]

only one person has voted for the lower quality USA, I don't think that was Merkava 4.
lol.........hahahahahahaha.

Yeah I haven't voted yet and given the available choices, I probably won't.

 

[mulepackin]

I haven't seen any American made junk tools listed? This might be a rhetorical question, not a trick question.

 

[Stuey]

I haven't seen any American made junk tools listed? This might be a rhetorical question, not a trick question.

Hmm, I suppose you're right. I'm a bit tired and couldn't remember the word I was looking for, so said "trick" question. Maybe should have said "theoretical".

I bought some really crappy made in the US hemostats before, if it makes a difference.

 

[Merkava_4]

1) Higher quality foreign-made tool
2) Lower quality domestic-made tool
3) Higher quality foreign-made tool (Non Asian)
4) Higher quality domestic-made tool

 

[cambell]

i'd get the better tool.

 

[lbgradwell]

1) Higher quality foreign-made tool
2) Lower quality domestic-made tool
3) Higher quality foreign-made tool (Non Asian)
4) Higher quality domestic-made tool

???!

I don't follow... Is this your "order of acquisition" list? Surely not!

 

[T56 Impala]

I'll buy anything as long as its not French. I stopped drinking Grey Goose when I read the label and found out it was French. I will not drink or buy French wines. I will not eat french food. I don't like the French at all. None of the country. I would rather buy cheap asian **** that high quaility French stuff. (Is there actually such a thing as High Quality French anything?)

Sorry if offended anyone, but thats how I feel.

 

[wrenchr]

What about french fries?

 

[lbgradwell]

Is there actually such a thing as High Quality French anything?

They say Facom tools are very high quality, but I'll never know! With the exception of Dijon mustard (for which I have a weakness), I too will buy nothing French.

What about french fries?

Weren't they re-named "freedom fries"?

 

[T56 Impala]

I simply call them fries. The French have nothing to do with it!

 

[NOMAD]

Higher quality tool. I only say that now becuase I used to say "lower the price, the better" till I started using the tools.

Gotta get the higher quality tools for the long haul as I don't have the budget to replace things twice at a slightly lower price.

 

[wrenchr]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Proud American. But I work long hours and very hard for my money and I will not sacrifice quality for anything else when it comes to tools.

 

[krusty the clown]

lower quality american tool = craftsman?
higher quality foregn tool = mac/stanley?
is this the question?

is there really a low quality american made tool? aren't most of the lesser brands foreign anyway?

 

[NOMAD]

is there really a low quality american made tool? aren't most of the lesser brands foreign anyway?

I'll take a pic of the "made in USA" 9/16 wrench I just got from my dad's old toolbox. That thing looks like the casting was carved from playdough.
I think it might even say "forged" on it.

 

[Merkava_4]

???!

I don't follow... Is this your "order of acquisition" list? Surely not!

No, not in that order. I tacked on #3 and #4 to Stuey's original pole choices. #3 and #4 would be my choices with #4 being my first choice.

 

[wilbilt]

I buy domestic whenever possible. As we all know, the definition of "quality" is very much a matter of personal opinion around here.

 

[krusty the clown]

I'll take a pic of the "made in USA" 9/16 wrench I just got from my dad's old toolbox. That thing looks like the casting was carved from playdough.
I think it might even say "forged" on it.

i have some ugly wrenches like that too.......but they're 80 years old!

i'm assuming were talkin about current production

 

[MarkH]

Cannot vote on this one since in today's world it is a trick question. You do not have that choice to make.

Years ago you did, but those companies or the divisions making the low quality tools are gone. Those things that you think were cast in a sand mold are not made here nor are the ones that can fool you with putting a nice polish on something made cheaply.

It is amazing to think that the lowest quality you get made here is the raised panel Craftsman and that is still a pretty decent tool for our farm use and outlasts the pretty polished ones in that use. Something about a tractor or combine toolbox that can turn a highly polished wrench into a turd in an afternoon while the raised panels just go on and on.

 

[wrenchr]

Most often that not with top notch quality they are usually made in the USA, As far as hand tools go. IMO

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't like FACOM's wrenches though; I can't see why they can't make a nice smooth, long pattern, polished chrome combination wrench.

 

[Merkava_4]

Wrenches should look like this:

 

[wrenchr]

I'm a fan of the satin finish as well, They do not show the abuse as much.

 

[Steve_S]

It isn't a fair question. I've never had a problem finding a quality US-made tool. Are we talking about junk tools at the same price as quality ones? In that case I'd buy the quality tool. But that isn't reality.

If the question is meant to say "would you buy a slightly lower quality tool instead of a slightly higher quality Chinese tool" then yes, I'd buy the slightly lower quality US-made one, providing the quality is still high. But again, I have never seen that happen.

 

[wilbilt]

Wrenches should look like this:

Yeah, they should look like that, but with the old logo.