Supplying the world with cheap tools

[NJ Marty]

I Dont shop at Harbor freight but Ill bet they get their items from a place like this. The amount of cheap tools they have is impressive and must take a lot of slave labor to pump them out. Check out the other products this site has to offer. I think I see some copies of name brand items in the drills and grinders.

http://tools.made-in-china.com/

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I should buy one of these just to have spare plastics for my Husky

 

[PugetDude]

I Dont shop at Harbor freight but Ill bet they get their items from a place like this. The amount of cheap tools they have is impressive and must take a lot of slave labor to pump them out. Check out the other products this site has to offer. I think I see some copies of name brand items in the drills and grinders.

http://tools.made-in-china.com/

And you base this statement on what?

I Dont shop at Harbor freight

Ah, there's your answer!

 

[gdocktor3]

I Dont shop at Harbor freight but Ill bet they get their items from a place like this. The amount of cheap tools they have is impressive and must take a lot of slave labor to pump them out. Check out the other products this site has to offer. I think I see some copies of name brand items in the drills and grinders.

http://tools.made-in-china.com/

Asia is so technologically advanced with everything that I'd bet the only manual labor in those facilities is quality control and maybe putting sockets in their correct spots in the cases they sell them in. A fellow GJ member recently visited a few factories in Taiwan and was blown away with all the technology.

 

[1950mercury]

Most HF tools are made in Taiwan and are excellent for what you pay for them.

 

[zendriver]

Chinese workers are paid less but the cost of living is lower too.

Speaking of slave wages.

The "average" American factory wage $20 today, when adjusted for basic inflation, is the same as it was 45 years ago.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...rs-real-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/


People buy Chinese tools, because that's what they can afford.

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[Al Bundy]

People buy Chinese tools, because that's what they can afford.

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Some truth to that statement, but there's much more to it than that.

 

[gdocktor3]

People buy Chinese tools, because that's what they can afford.
/QUOTE]

Some truth to that statement, but there's much more to it than that.

Most people buy Chinese tools because that's what's available to them. Average Joe goes to lowes, HD, Sears for a washing machine and at the same time the employee explains how easy it is to install. Next thing you know Joe Blow is walking out with an adjustable wrench, some screwdrivers and pliers, plus the washing machine.

 

[zendriver]

Some truth to that statement, but there's much more to it than that.

OK so please share. I think most people would rather own a Ferrari, than a yugo.


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[zendriver]

People buy Chinese tools, because that's what they can afford.

/QUOTE]







Most people buy Chinese tools because that's what's available to them. Average Joe goes to lowes, HD, Sears for a washing machine and at the same time the employee explains how easy it is to install. Next thing you know Joe Blow is walking out with an adjustable wrench, some screwdrivers and pliers, plus the washing machine.

It's kind of hard to believe (for me, anyway), that all those shoppers lined up at Harbor freight check out, would be purchasing $3000 worth of snap on tools (or even $500 worth of cman), because That's all that was available.

Harbor freight's $75 floor Jack's sell like hot cakes. Would a $350 American made floor Jack be flying out the door, as quickly?

Of course not. The exact opposite.



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[dogdog]

I saw this Mark Twain quotes some where ... some time this week.... I think this applies, then again I am un-edu-ma-caked.

 

[Al Bundy]

A lot has to do with living in a throw away society filled with people craving instant gratification. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but you are way over simplifying. For example, I know plenty of people that can afford quality tools, but they have no desire to think beyond this afternoon. And the thrill of a whole cart filled with tools vs a couple items that will outlast them has no appeal. Combine that with the fact that corporate profits are better served when you make something cheap and the consumer has to replace it sooner and you get a much better picture of today's world.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The cheap prices are the magnet that draws the bulk of their customers through the door. Add to the variety of goods; you add to the volume of bargain seekers.

They have a few flagship items, such as their tool boxes..

Their customers are a mix of seasoned tool shoppers who understand a true bargain when they see one... And the bargain hunters in their race to the bottom price competition.

 

[Revelations]

Craftsman is now made in China too. I understand Sears had to send manufacturing to China, but they still charge craftsman prices... Someones making money, but it aint the guys using them

Snapon 3/8 ratchets are also now made in China too. I heard Snapon is testing the waters, to see how far they can push the China thing, all while still charging US made prices. Its all about greed... Not survival

The few good US tool makers like SK, Wright, and Proto, I cant afford. I'm part of the problem by refusing to pay high prices for tools, when foreign tools to the same job. I do however stick with Tawanese if possible. Its the lesser of the evils.

REVELATIONS 8

 

[Know Wosad]

Well if you look at the other world a hell of a lot of people working construction or turning wrenches are earning 3-4-5 dollars an hour so the stuff we-uns have way too much of is entirely out of their reality.
This is why companies Like Stanley,Williams,Matco,Black Decker, Makita(SPS line?) and many, many others reach to Asia or anywhere else they can to offer the other 7 BILLION people on earth something they can afford and make due with.
In some cases it's simply a business need. In other instances we're taking it in the *** simply because of the name glued on the tool.

 

[pi_guy]

OK so please share. I think most people would rather own a Ferrari, than a yugo.

But you would need the Yugo for when the Ferrari is in the shop.

Was talking to a Ferrari wrench and he was mentioning the hubs with bearing in one of the new models has a 8000 price tag and a 3000 mile life span.
So what regular person is ready to spend 32000 every 3000 miles just for uprights, bearing hubs and housing?

 

[sberry]

It amazes me how some think sears robs customers, so what if it is a bit more than HF for the same thing, if they charged 20x as much it would be a different matter. Sears are crooks but the snap dealer gives a guy 10 off on 300$,,,, what a guy. Replaces one socket and is a national hero,

 

[johnyg]

harbor freight saved my *** many a time. its local,cheap,i can afford it and if i will not use it more than a few times it works.it is what it is.if i needed something to make a living with i would go elsware as i did when i turned wrenches. im sorry about the whole american worker thing but sometimes it keeps this american working.

 

[1950mercury]

Craftsman is now made in China too. I understand Sears had to send manufacturing to China, but they still charge craftsman prices... Someones making money, but it aint the guys using them

Snapon 3/8 ratchets are also now made in China too. I heard Snapon is testing the waters, to see how far they can push the China thing, all while still charging US made prices. Its all about greed... Not survival

The few good US tool makers like SK, Wright, and Proto, I cant afford. I'm part of the problem by refusing to pay high prices for tools, when foreign tools to the same job. I do however stick with Tawanese if possible. Its the lesser of the evils.

REVELATIONS 8

Snap on ratchets are made in China.lol if it's on the internet it's true

 

[928'er]

People buy Chinese tools, because that's what they can afford.

It's not what they can afford, it's what's available to them.

chinese made Craftsman are priced the same as the USA versions they replaced. The retailer reaps the savings, not the customer.

 

[sberry]

Sears aint getting rich selling tools.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

It's not what they can afford, it's what's available to them.

chinese made Craftsman are priced the same as the USA versions they replaced. The retailer reaps the savings, not the customer.

Add to this the number of tool illiterate people who don't know the difference..

The HF stuff is hung on magic pegboards with prices that lead them to think other tool retailers such as Sears are crooks... The Sears stuff is sold based upon it's former reputation from the old days.. On the day of the Big Tool Race; The HF, Craftsman, and other dime store tools brands can choose their best horse... When the countdown gets to 4-3-2-1-Go , I hope the merry-go-round is in working order. May the best "Tool" win.

 

[yamaha0343]

Craftsman is now made in China too. I understand Sears had to send manufacturing to China, but they still charge craftsman prices... Someones making money, but it aint the guys using them

Snapon 3/8 ratchets are also now made in China too. I heard Snapon is testing the waters, to see how far they can push the China thing, all while still charging US made prices. Its all about greed... Not survival

As far as the Craftsman prices, do they ever not have a ton of tools on sale? I still find a lot of their tools to be a damn good bargain. Like the pry bars that are always on sale for $20. And not all Craftsman is Chinese. I see this misconception posted constantly on here. It's not like there's one giant Craftsman factory in China. They offer a ton of tools made by a ton of manufacturers.

For your Snap On comment..

 

[Know Wosad]

Craftsman is now made in China too. I understand Sears had to send manufacturing to China, but they still charge craftsman prices... Someones making money, but it aint the guys using them

Snapon 3/8 ratchets are also now made in China too. I heard Snapon is testing the waters, to see how far they can push the China thing, all while still charging US made prices. Its all about greed... Not survival

The few good US tool makers like SK, Wright, and Proto, I cant afford. I'm part of the problem by refusing to pay high prices for tools, when foreign tools to the same job. I do however stick with Tawanese if possible. Its the lesser of the evils.

REVELATIONS 8

Cant afford ?
You better find another line of work or learn where to shop ?
https://www.zoro.com/search?q=Proto+ratchet

 

[Revelations]

Cant afford ?
You better find another line of work or learn where to shop ?
https://www.zoro.com/search?q=Proto+ratchet

I like what I do for a living. I make plenty of money. I'm on track to retire 15 years early, mosty because Im not foolish with my money. Sooo, I should have rephrased my wording. I will not work till I die, so I cannot afford to be stupid with my money. If you insist on shopping for me, then I will provide you with a PO BOX to send me tools at your expsense. I will take free tools, American or Chinese... Otherwise, I will still buy Taiwanese for cheap on Amazon.

I "declined" to click on link you provided. I will continue to buy the tools I choose too. God Bless[emoji41]

REVELATIONS 8

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Cant afford ?
You better find another line of work or learn where to shop ?
https://www.zoro.com/search?q=Proto+ratchet

Yep , I go ape when drooling over the ProTo monkey wrenches... I have them because they can withstand the strength of a gorilla.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Snapon 3/8 ratchets are also now made in China too. I heard Snapon is testing the waters, to see how far they can push the China thing, all while still charging US made prices. Its all about greed... Not survival

Source for this, please?

 

[Gmonkee]

To get back to the core of this google ' India tools' .

The number of tool makers is astounding and the variety of hand tools made is quite wide.
Not all is cheap and not all is pot metal junk. They even make it pretty convienient to import small or large lots in packaging of your choice.

So.....
If you were inclined to get into a HF type operation it would only take money and a marketing plan.
If you want to make them in your hometown with local labor it takes a hell of a lot more costs and headaches before you even have a product to sell.
Its not a hard choice really if all you want to do is sell product for a profit. Let the maker worry about wages, overhead, suppliers and whatnot as you wait for the truck at your store.

Patriotism costs real money before you make any, and there is no guarantee your venture will succeed even into production.
Sears was smart a century ago and used products others made to fill their warehouses. They took few risks and had makers competing to lower unit prices to get that fat contract.
Recent events are a bit shady but still the same theory.

Until the powers that be make it a better deal to open a factory and get you and your neighbors walking across town to the new factory outsourcing is the answer.
Of course you will have to accept lower wages and the EPA rules would need to be relaxed to get the tools you demand now, but that is the price of patriotism.
Unless you would embrace nickel plate instead of deep chrome maybe. Could you?

Hard choices no matter where you turn. Meanwhile China faces labor problems akin to what the US faced in the century past because their people demand higher wages and better treatment just like our great grandparents did. And contracts shift to other countries where the populace is thrilled to have any job at all.

 

[magicrat]

I buy mostly USA but use everything even some HF if it looks sturdy enough. But as far as quality goes if a US company took the same machinery and same grade of steel and had it made in Taiwan is the quality still equal??? I sometimes wonder if my USA tools are any better than high quality imports.

 

[healing]

I "declined" to click on link you provided. I will continue to buy the tools I choose too. God Bless[emoji41]

REVELATIONS 8

You know you want to come on just try it!

 

[chrisnazzy]

Ummm.....please show me some proof on a China made Snap On Ratchet. Pretty sure that is not based in reality.

As for HF, I have a couple things, but when I say a couple I mean a couple. I found their newer Composite Ratchets to be a nice addition to my Snap On ones. I have their Oxygen sensor socket set which I've used once. I was also amazed recently when shopping for a miter saw stand that the HF offering was built as well or better than others I looked at and for the amount of use it would get at my house vs. the cost to own it was the obvious choice. (The saw that sits on it is definitely not HF)

But for me I choose USA as much as possible and I do love my Snap On tools. They occupy space in almost every drawer in box. Are a majority of my wrenches Gearwrench....yes. On the other hand my Trusty Cook order is being placed very soon to replace pretty much all of my hammers of lesser quality.

For those who aren't catching on to my point, it is this. No one should chastise another for their tool purchase decision. There are plenty of us out there that HF may be all we need and at a price that we can afford while there are others who spend $1000's of $ on the highest quality or to some overpriced tools on the market. Just don't have unrealistic expectations of low cost tools and don't be narrow minded and think our Snap On SLF80 is the only 1/2 ratchet that won't break under high torque. To each his own.

BTW... Sorry for being the "Can't we all just get along" guy in this thread!

 

[ZRX61]

I think most people would rather own a Ferrari, than a yugo.

Ferrari is owned by Fiat. Yugos were license built Yugoslav Fiats...

 

[The Fall]

Craftsman (Sears) didn't have to send manufacturing overseas. No one forced them to. They elected to. Meanwhile their stock plummets while their CEO literally rakes in millions running the company into the ground. If there was a respectable attempt to salvage the company, I'd see that argument -- "We honestly tried to stay competitive with American manufactured tools, but we couldn't make it work with consumers and their expectations." But they're in a death spiral due largely to CEO and corporate mismanagement. Just check the business press. While I have mostly American-made tools, I have a fair amount of Taiwanese/Chinese tools, and I'm fine with that. I just feel that it's sort of spurious reasoning to blame American manufacturers (and their associated higher costs) for the decline of the Craftsman tool line and not corporate incompetence and outright greed.

 

[davewo]

There have always been cheap tools for sale.

Now, we simply have more to choose from.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Ferrari is owned by Fiat. Yugos were license built Yugoslav Fiats...

Ferrari was spun off over 7 months ago. No longer part of FCA.

 

[ibedayank]

Ferrari is owned by Fiat. Yugos were license built Yugoslav Fiats...

Fiat Fix it again Tony

 

[ibedayank]

Craftsman (Sears) didn't have to send manufacturing overseas. No one forced them to. They elected to. Meanwhile their stock plummets while their CEO literally rakes in millions running the company into the ground. If there was a respectable attempt to salvage the company, I'd see that argument -- "We honestly tried to stay competitive with American manufactured tools, but we couldn't make it work with consumers and their expectations." But they're in a death spiral due largely to CEO and corporate mismanagement. Just check the business press. While I have mostly American-made tools, I have a fair amount of Taiwanese/Chinese tools, and I'm fine with that. I just feel that it's sort of spurious reasoning to blame American manufacturers (and their associated higher costs) for the decline of the Craftsman tool line and not corporate incompetence and outright greed.

sears didn't decide to do a damn thing... Apex who makes the tools moved production to china... and lots of other brands they own. but didn't stop it eier as Apex still has factories in the usa

 

[gdocktor3]

sears didn't decide to do a damn thing... Apex who makes the tools moved production to china... and lots of other brands they own. but didn't stop it eier as Apex still has factories in the usa

Exactly. Apex owns Armstrong, but they don't sell this stuff in normal stores. Why, because people just won't buy it. It's "overpriced" when compared to Husky or Kobalt. Sears has to compete with the big box store brands. Maybe everyone forgets that Husky and Kobalt were once made in the USA also.

 

[PMD1966]

Read a book titled "Made in China - Poorly". One man's experiences being a middle man between Chinese manufacturers and American retailers.

 

[M-technik-3]

Sears has far too much overhead and keeping all the large box stores with thousands of employees is killing them. Shame but the corporate front office failed to see online shopping become what it is today.

Craftsman line used to be a coveted tool now it's another disposable. When Sears introduced their cheapie knock off's beside the craftsman line people bought with their wallets and another reason why the Craftsman line was reduced to a disposable tool.

Shame, I love my professional ones and some of my fathers old basics. Now I shop off the truck when I need a something.