Why aren't there more USA made jack and jack stands?

[paulsomlo]

I just picked up this Milwaukee used on Offer Up. I ruined the white warning sticker after I took this photo cleaning it so I ordered a couple of decals off eBay I’ll be putting in its place. I’ve given it a quick touch up paint now. The Milwaukee and made in the USA stickers are what I’ll be adding to it once they come.




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Wrong Milwaukee

 

[CmpAnaheim]

Wrong Milwaukee

I know but it still will look cool


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[American Locomotive]

The "short answer" is that people aren't willing to pay the prices for a U.S. made jack and jack stand, and it wasn't profitable to make them here.

The long answer is that American manufacturers rested on their laurels for decades and never modernized or updated their production facilities. They used old outdated production methods that were/are very labor intensive, and therefore had very high costs.

There's a recent video floating around from the Wilton Vise factory, where they had someone manually loading the vise lead screws one at a time into some ancient decrepit manual threading machine. That same person running a CNC bar-fed auto-loaded lathe could probably make 2x the screws in the same time with far greater precision.

Same thing with the Channelock factory tour - there was just one person's who job it was to take a plier half, put it on a jig and punch a hole through it with a press. One at a time. In a later area, the teeth were cut on the jaws - one half at a time, in an ancient manual horizontal milling machine.

Compare and contrast Channelock vs. Knipex

 

[Bacon!]

^ Production speed aside, I think you have it backwards since the overall quality is usually no better and often worse. Just because some high cost, fancy newer machine exists, doesn't mean a Chinese sweatshop is using it. On the contrary they have cheap labor so all the more incentive to keep things manual and if it takes longer, so what? Put two guys on it if that stage is at half the rate of the rest.

Would I take a Wilton Vise over a Chinese import? Heck yeah, though I'd also take one they had made in Taiwan which, IMO, has a higher standard (on average) than China.

 

[American Locomotive]

I'm really not sure what you're arguing against? I never said anything about sweatshops or Chinese built products.

My point was that many U.S. brands stopped making things in the U.S. because they couldn't compete on cost. They couldn't compete on cost because they were still using the same manufacturing process they were in the 1940s. They never fully modernized. If they had modernized their production facilities, they would have been able to produce more, for cheaper.

Knipex is a high-end German manufacturer (where it's extremely expensive to build things!) and they are able to compete globally with affordable (well, the premium side of affordable) tools that are extremely high quality. They can do this because they invested heavily in automation and training their employees how to use these machines and be more productive.

 

[Bacon!]

^ You can cherry pick a few examples but there will always be a market for premium widgets, and that's just a small piece of the puzzle. Even with modernization, it is still cheaper to have things made in China or Taiwan. There is good reason why the US companies did not make that investment, except to some extent they did, it would be wrong to assume they were all stuck in the 1940's.

On the other hand, Germany is the worlds 2nd/3rd largest importer of steel and where do you suppose that steel comes from? China is their largest trading partner. The US has tried to preserve its steel manufacturing and therein lies one of the factors, that it's not just modernization but almost every aspect of the infrastructure that is more expensive in the US than China, so modernization would just be wasted money if they produce equal products at significantly higher prices while consumers still buy based on price.

There were US companies making higher quality tools than the oriental imports, at less of a price difference than Knipex charges! It wasn't enough.

 

[M6erfan]

I'm really not sure what you're arguing against? I never said anything about sweatshops or Chinese built products.

My point was that many U.S. brands stopped making things in the U.S. because they couldn't compete on cost. They couldn't compete on cost because they were still using the same manufacturing process they were in the 1940s. They never fully modernized. If they had modernized their production facilities, they would have been able to produce more, for cheaper.

Knipex is a high-end German manufacturer (where it's extremely expensive to build things!) and they are able to compete globally with affordable (well, the premium side of affordable) tools that are extremely high quality. They can do this because they invested heavily in automation and training their employees how to use these machines and be more productive.

Yup. Good post.

Back in the '80's-'90's U.S. manufacturing companies had a choice, modernize production or offshore the manufacturing. We know which road they took.

 

[measuredtwice]

It is ridiculous that so little interest is shown about the USA manufacturers that do exist in a topic that is supposed to be about why there aren't more of them.

they were still using the same manufacturing process they were in the 1940s. They never fully modernized.

When Snap-On built a facility in North Carolina in 2002, where did they get all the 1940s manufacturing equipment?? In 2011, Industry Week named it one of the top 10 plants in America.

I wonder how Tesla can build cars with tools and techniques from the 1940s.

 

[1982fxr]

I'm really not sure what you're arguing against? I never said anything about sweatshops or Chinese built products.

My point was that many U.S. brands stopped making things in the U.S. because they couldn't compete on cost. They couldn't compete on cost because they were still using the same manufacturing process they were in the 1940s. They never fully modernized. If they had modernized their production facilities, they would have been able to produce more, for cheaper.

Knipex is a high-end German manufacturer (where it's extremely expensive to build things!) and they are able to compete globally with affordable (well, the premium side of affordable) tools that are extremely high quality. They can do this because they invested heavily in automation and training their employees how to use these machines and be more productive.

Thank the Marshall plan.

 

[jonesg]

Lawyers.
Cradle to grave product liability.
Higher manufacturing costs.
Cheap customers.

All that, including OSHA and EPA trying to snuff out industry, unions driving non union production offshore, shareholders who expect decent return on stocks.
Weak politicians who let the offshore mfgers take full advantage , and they did.
It been a long time coming but theres a backlash knocking at the door.

 

[letMeIn]

why aren't ?? Because we have a Walmart culture

 

[WittHay]

One of those questions that nobody has thought about in over 20 years, . Every shop up here uses Napa, Norco , Strongarm(Sunex) jacks and stands for years with no problems.

A certain discount retailer that only sells in one country has had problem with products from one or all of its five Chinese factory's. Now people are wondering about higher quality or made in USA products.

Dont know what to say even if somebody sets up a super modern automated plant to make jack stands the market would be still small. Its against certain retailers principles to buy made in USA products because there is always more profit to be made from buying from China

 

[American Locomotive]

There were US companies making higher quality tools than the oriental imports, at less of a price difference than Knipex charges! It wasn't enough.

Knipex tools are not even that espensive compared to some brands. My point was looking at the differences in technology. Knipex has robots doing everything. Channelock is paying a guy to punch a hole one at a time in pliers.

When Snap-On built a facility in North Carolina in 2002, where did they get all the 1940s manufacturing equipment?? In 2011, Industry Week named it one of the top 10 plants in America.

I wonder how Tesla can build cars with tools and techniques from the 1940s.

You're exactly proving my point. Snap-On modernized and Tesla is a throroughly modern operation. They are both thriving as modern U.S. Manufacturers.

It is possible to manufacture affordably in the U.S., but you need a top of the line and very modern facilty. I used to work for a manufacturer, and we could compete against China on certain items by having a single machine, run by a single operator that could do the work of 3 machines and 3 operators.

 

[zendriver]

Interesting how many love and supports capitalism - until it produces something they don’t like.

As much as we Americans like to make it “all about us” it’s really not.

Many or most companies sell products globally, other countries could care less where the product is made maybe even seeing US made as a negative.


Briggs and Stratton did their best to keep it local, but they were rewarded by having everyone by Honda Or Chinese engines

That whole capitalism thing.


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[measuredtwice]

Knipex tools are not even that espensive compared to some brands. My point was looking at the differences in technology. Knipex has robots doing everything. Channelock is paying a guy to punch a hole one at a time in pliers.


You're exactly proving my point. Snap-On modernized and Tesla is a throroughly modern operation. They are both thriving as modern U.S. Manufacturers.

It is possible to manufacture affordably in the U.S., but you need a top of the line and very modern facilty. I used to work for a manufacturer, and we could compete against China on certain items by having a single machine, run by a single operator that could do the work of 3 machines and 3 operators.

Until now, you didn't say anything positive about manufacturing in the USA.
You generalized that USA manufacturing is stuck in the 1940s and said that people are resting on their laurels.

What Channellock does in their USA plant making inexpensive pliers has nothing to do with the manufacturing of Jacks and Jack stands. My example of Tesla has nothing to do with Jack stands either... at least I don't think Tesla makes jack stands but who knows --they're even making chocolate chips now.

Unless someone on here has inside information about the modernized or antiquated facilities manufacturing of jack stands in the USA, we are just making guesses.

 

[zendriver]

All that, including OSHA and EPA trying to snuff out industry, unions driving non union production offshore, shareholders who expect decent return on stocks.

Weak politicians who let the offshore mfgers take full advantage , and they did.

It been a long time coming but theres a backlash knocking at the door.

Lol for the irony anyway.

Dangerous jobs, toxic pollution and piss poor wages Health benefits.

Old school American factory owners loved it, it made them quite successful - everyone else - not so much.

Going back to that will make America successful in manufacturing again, What’s the price for everyone else?









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[measuredtwice]

Lol for the irony anyway.

Dangerous jobs, toxic pollution and piss poor wages Health benefits.

Old school American factory owners loved it, it made them quite successful - everyone else - not so much.

Going back to that will make America successful in manufacturing again, What’s the price for everyone else?

Greater availability of products during a pandemic (quotes below). New employment opportunities during a time of massive unemployment. Leveling off the trade deficit and the massive transfer of wealth to China.

As far as I know, we all live on the same planet and polution has global consequences even if it originates in China. Not saying that local consequences aren't important also.

In case everyone forgot, we had a virus shut the country down for three months.

If everything was made here, we wouldn’t still have shortages.?


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Essential manufacturing included tools (they keep other essential things running) and many tool companies remained open. Snap-On remained open except when they temporarily closed to clean after workers tested positive... I think that happened a couple of times.

Also some companies started manufacturing essential products that they had not previously manufactured to help with shortages.

 

[zendriver]

Greater availability of products during a pandemic (quotes below). New employment opportunities during a time of massive unemployment. Leveling off the trade deficit and the massive transfer of wealth to China.

As far as I know, we all live on the same planet and polution has global consequences even if it originates in China. Not saying that local consequences aren't important also.

For sure and they have plenty of it, China’s working on their pollution issues as well as worker problems.

Funny thing is they are starting to believe by implementingthese things they are pricing themselves out of cheap highly profitablemanufacturing so they’re actually starting to look looking at other countries to outsource work to themselves.

Africa is one country they are looking at.

FWIW america’s biggest problem with manufacturing is that we are a victim of our own success.

The cost of a safe workplace, good wages in a clean environment makes it hard to compete with places that don’t offer that.


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[American Locomotive]

Until now, you didn't say anything positive about manufacturing in the USA.
You generalized that USA manufacturing is stuck in the 1940s and said that people are resting on their laurels.

What Channellock does in their USA plant making inexpensive pliers has nothing to do with the manufacturing of Jacks and Jack stands. My example of Tesla has nothing to do with Jack stands either... at least I don't think Tesla makes jack stands but who knows --they're even making chocolate chips now.

Unless someone on here has inside information about the modernized or antiquated facilities manufacturing of jack stands in the USA, we are just making guesses.

Good grief man, The context of my comments was about items that are no longer made here and U.S. companies that no longer exist and why that is. Why do I need to talk positive about American manufacturing when it's literally not relevant to the conversation?

I came from the manufacturing industry, the company I worked for has been around for over 45 years. The owner of that company watched American manufacturing die. He watched his competitors go under while he prospered. He used to have competitors call him and ask him how it was possible that they could underbid them, when they were already barely breaking even with their bid.

He continually reinvested in the company, replacing antiquated equipment with new and constantly developed techniques to improve quality and reduce manufacturing time. While competitors were single spindle Brown & Sharpes from 1930 that had to be manually loaded, he was using 10-spindle bar-fed CNC monsters capable of making 8 parts at once start to finish that could literally run for hours unattended.

We can blame evil Chinese slave-labor all we want, but the real reason is American corporate greed and American manufacturers failing to reinvest into their facilities. Channelock and Wilton are perfect examples of these failures to re-invest. Jackstands could be made in the U.S. completely by robots in a lights-out factory, but most American manufacturers closed up shop with their largely antiquated and manual assembly lines.

The manufacturers that took the time and money to invest in their facilities are prospering. Companies like Wilton and Channelock that didn't are now slowly outsourcing more and more of their product.

 

[1320it]

Brunnhoelzl still makes jacks in the USA. Hold your wallet tight though

http://brunnhoelzl.com/aluminum_racing_jacks.html

About 7 years ago I purchased a new HW Jack and jackstands and they were still fully made in USA. I am glad I got it when I did - I believe they are only assembled in the USA now as not all the components are USA made. I wish I picked up a 3 ton jack when I had the chance.

 

[1982fxr]

For sure and they have plenty of it, China’s working on their pollution issues as well as worker problems.

Funny thing is they are starting to believe by implementingthese things they are pricing themselves out of cheap highly profitablemanufacturing so they’re actually starting to look looking at other countries to outsource work to themselves.

Africa is one country they are looking at.

FWIW america’s biggest problem with manufacturing is that we are a victim of our own success.

The cost of a safe workplace, good wages in a clean environment makes it hard to compete with places that don’t offer that.


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You're dropping so many pearls of wisdom in this thread.

The country of Africa lol.

Saying they are "looking at" Africa is basically pro-Chinese propoganda. It's not an honest statement. The truth of what they are doing in Africa is far uglier. They are not there for the benefit of Africa. Or the African people. Or the environment. Or human rights. Or anything good at all.

 

[CmpAnaheim]

Made in the USA in Japan or Europe regarding tools means you can trust the quality. My Milwaukee or Walker jack smoke that POS Snap On want to be yellow jack at HF.

Something to think about the Snap On weighs several more pounds. It is built better period. It might not be worth $750 but I would pay more for it.

Some Chinese products are excellent but if it’s built for a budget you sometimes get cheap, not long lasting or even dangerous (HF Jack Stands)

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[WittHay]

I fully support North American manufacturing unless there is a better product made elsewhere in the world. I think at one time most farms used the flat head Briggs until the noticeably better Honda commercial engines came along.

One example of US manufacturing is mechanical counters used on equipment. John Deere sources theres from Veeder-Root based in Elizabethan, North Carolina. Bulk fuel tank locking valves are made by Bayco in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Once you get away from the cheap diy stuff there is still lots of specialty commercial/industrial stuff made in North America

Jacks, vises and jack stands along with machine tools like drill presses are something that there were so few US manufacturers and the prices charged were too high. Thats how Harbor Freight, Sunex, Wilmar and Jet got started. I am middle aged but as far back as I can remember there were China vises, Taiwan grinders/ drill presses, Japanese jacks and jack stands from Taiwan later China

All I can think of US jack manufacturing for the consumer, small shop/farm use was Lincoln, Walker and later Hein -Werner . I am wondering at what year or decade you could go to Napa or Sears and buy a USA made jack or vise and if there was a choice of brands?

 

[Samuel D]

On the other hand, Germany is the worlds 2nd/3rd largest importer of steel and where do you suppose that steel comes from? China is their largest trading partner.

Germany imports steel from a lot of countries but China is far down the list. The big countries from which Germany imports steel are Belgium, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Austria in about that order. Germany also produces a lot of its own steel.

American Locomotive makes several good points about the decline of American manufacturing that could equally apply to British or French companies.

Taiwan, by the way, is not an especially low-cost place to manufacture. However, it has become a centre of excellence for tool design and manufacturing (and several other niche industries such as high-end bicycle manufacturing). This has not happened by accident or the application of pure ideology. Taiwan has set up state-funded institutes to coordinate research and development, to discover applications for new manufacturing processes, to coordinate sharing of information across industries, and more. Companies and universities make overseas research visits to see if anything can be learned from factories in other countries, even though European, American, and Japanese companies would probably learn more by visiting Taiwan instead – not that their hubris would allow them. A lot of innovation in Taiwan comes from the supplier networks.

 

[zendriver]

You're dropping so many pearls of wisdom in this thread.



The country of Africa lol.



Saying they are "looking at" Africa is basically pro-Chinese propoganda. It's not an honest statement. The truth of what they are doing in Africa is far uglier. They are not there for the benefit of Africa. Or the African people. Or the environment. Or human rights. Or anything good at all.

Fair enough point on my geography Misstep.

It sounds like the-solution to “be like China”

Force American businesses with government control to relocate back to the US

And to remain globally competitive...

Degrade or eliminate pollution, worker safety and pay standards

Hire workers from other displaced industries (airline flight attendants, school teachers bartenders) to work in the factories

It should be a real manufacturing “recipe for success”



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[measuredtwice]

Good grief man,

The context of my comments was about items that are no longer made here and U.S. companies that no longer exist and why that is. Why do I need to talk positive about American manufacturing when it's literally not relevant to the conversation?

The frustration is equal on both sides. Saying that US manufacturers are stuck in the 40s is not the same as saying US manufactures stuck in the 40s weren't profitable and US manufacturers that modernized were successful. If you had said the latter, I wouldn't have replied. But you only talked about foreign companies modernizing. As I and others have said, your examples of Channellock is not really relevant. They don't manufacture jacks.

The manufacturers that took the time and money to invest in their facilities are prospering. Companies like Wilton and Channelock that didn't are now slowly outsourcing more and more of their product.

This is worded much better. I agree. It may or may not apply to jacks. Those companies manufacture vises and pliers, and none of us shared specifics about companies manufacturing jacks.

Brunnhoelzl still makes jacks in the USA. Hold your wallet tight though

http://brunnhoelzl.com/aluminum_racing_jacks.html

About 7 years ago I purchased a new HW Jack and jackstands and they were still fully made in USA. I am glad I got it when I did - I believe they are only assembled in the USA now as not all the components are USA made. I wish I picked up a 3 ton jack when I had the chance.

Thanks for bring us back on topic.

 

[JRC3]

Probably Chinese made at the price point I'm at. QuickJack, MaxJack, etc.

That kinda answers your question...You're buying a Chinese lift for the same reasons people buy Chinese jackstands.

Chinese stands are good if you just buy bigger ones. I have some old HF 6 ton stands, not 3 ton. I also have those big tall 10 ton Sunex stands. When it comes to jack stands it's like the idiom says, "go big or go home." LOL

 

[1982fxr]

Fair enough point on my geography Misstep.

It sounds like the-solution to “be like China”

Force American businesses with government control to relocate back to the US

And to remain globally competitive...

Degrade or eliminate pollution, worker safety and pay standards

Hire workers from other displaced industries (airline flight attendants, school teachers bartenders) to work in the factories

It should be a real manufacturing “recipe for success”



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How on earth did you go from what I posted to that? I'm sorry you hate US manufacturing. It can provide a pretty good living for millions of people.

Second best income I ever had was in a factory. I don't remember us destroying the environment, getting hurt everyday (or ever), and it was the best pay in the area for a large percentage of the people.

 

[CmpAnaheim]

That kinda answers your question...You're buying a Chinese lift for the same reasons people buy Chinese jackstands.

Chinese stands are good if you just buy bigger ones. I have some old HF 6 ton stands, not 3 ton. I also have those big tall 10 ton Sunex stands. When it comes to jack stands it's like the idiom says, "go big or go home." LOL

harbor freight just recalled all their jack stands so your theory is off.


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[zendriver]

Nailed it, but the order would be opposite of that:



Cheap customers

Higher manufacturing costs

Liability and lawyers.

Calling their customers cheap, is just taking the easy way out, IMO

Eons ago when everything was American made. I always wanted a floor jack, I could not afford one, and even used ones were rare,because they were relatively expensive at that time.

By the time I got to the point where I could easily afford one, and justify getting one for occasional useI didn’t need and American made one because I had already purchased an inexpensive imported model that got the job done

Average size USA made floor jacks today looks like they start about $300 and up where is the import is 75 Bucks

According to reports many people barely have $300 to their name, so if they needed a jack it seems more likely To go for the import, more out of necessity, Than to add the difference to their stock brokerage account.




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[reader2580]

I fully support North American manufacturing unless there is a better product made elsewhere in the world. I think at one time most farms used the flat head Briggs until the noticeably better Honda commercial engines came along.

One example of US manufacturing is mechanical counters used on equipment. John Deere sources theres from Veeder-Root based in Elizabethan, North Carolina. Bulk fuel tank locking valves are made by Bayco in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Once you get away from the cheap diy stuff there is still lots of specialty commercial/industrial stuff made in North America

The average American thinks manufacturing in the USA is dead because most everything they see in retail stores is not made in the USA. They also see all the news stories about factories closings, people losing factory jobs, and towns folding up when factories close. Most everyone knows someone who lost a manufacturing job.

My understanding that manufacturing in the USA has actually been flat or growing. The thing is most manufacturing is for construction or industrial use so the average American never sees all the stuff made in the USA.

It is true that manufacturing employment is way down, but automation has killed more of those jobs than imports. My employer has automated away many worker's jobs in both manufacturing and other areas. A process my employer does every day required 400 people in the 1970s. That number started to shrink rapidly with automation in the late 1970s until today there are maybe ten people doing that same job.

 

[JRC3]

That kinda answers your question...You're buying a Chinese lift for the same reasons people buy Chinese jackstands.

Chinese stands are good if you just buy bigger ones. I have some old HF 6 ton stands, not 3 ton. I also have those big tall 10 ton Sunex stands. When it comes to jack stands it's like the idiom says, "go big or go home." LOL

harbor freight just recalled all their jack stands so your theory is off.

How so?

 

[Indexmill]

OP; do you really have to ask "why"? Really. Do you live in the USA? Do you know history?

 

[bpjr]

It's all about labor costs and govt restrictions. It doesn't matter how modern the equipment is. The offshore guys can buy the same modern equipment we buy and still do it for less. We modernize at high costs and the result is job loss with the product still costing the same or more. That's why mfg went offshore.

Saying mfgs are greedy doesn't tell the whole picture. In 1980 (Yep, 40 yrs ago) a large (25k employees) USA mfg company I worked for spilled 20ish gals of DI water diluted acetone due to a cracked pipe burried under the ground. It was traveling to the mandatory waste water plant we built...for millions to meet EPA and other regs. It cost over a million to remedy the spill and pay the fines. In comparison, offshore countries just dumped it where ever and had no govt agencies to deal with. In the USA the EPA requires reporting spills of 4 oz or more and it doesn't end there.

 

[M635_Guy]

America doesn't have the domestic preference you see in Germany, Japan, France, etc. and given the chance to get something less expensive often go with it.

Corporate America looks at that as well as the labor, liability and overall legal situation here and went overseas.

 

[zendriver]

America doesn't have the domestic preference you see in Germany, Japan, France, etc. and given the chance to get something less expensive often go with it.

Corporate America looks at that as well as the labor, liability and overall legal situation here and went overseas.

https://tradingeconomics.com/japan/imports/china

New statistics show that China has overtaken the US and Britain to become the third largest exporter to Germany with clothes, shoes and electronic products topping the list.

https://www.dw.com/en/made-in-china-label-hugely-popular-in-germany/a-2845341

Seems hard to find much of anything from Sony, Canon, Toshiba etc. not made in China.

 

[joecon]

Consumer products are made inexpensively overseas mostly because most people can't tell the difference between a quality product and a cheap dangerous one. When It come to jacks' People routinely crawl under cars and trucks supported by the cheapest jack they could find with out jack stands [because they are an extra cost] with out thinking a second thought. They don't care that a good jack will out live them and not collapse on them at a bad time.

 

[reader2580]

He continually reinvested in the company, replacing antiquated equipment with new and constantly developed techniques to improve quality and reduce manufacturing time. While competitors were single spindle Brown & Sharpes from 1930 that had to be manually loaded, he was using 10-spindle bar-fed CNC monsters capable of making 8 parts at once start to finish that could literally run for hours unattended.

I'm glad to hear that company is prospering while still making stuff in the USA. I think the reason why a lot of small manufacturers don't upgrade their equipment is because the manufacturers are barely making a profit even on the best day. You need to have profits to be able to invest in the company. I know a number of small businesses in this position. They need to modernize to stay in business long term, but no money to modernize.

My employer is in a declining industry that is being replaced by digital content. We expect to produce physical product for about ten more years. The machines to produce the product need major upgrades, but it would take all of the company's meager profits for ten years to pay for upgrades. Consumers aren't going to buy any more of the product even if we upgrade our machines.

 

[M635_Guy]

https://tradingeconomics.com/japan/imports/china

https://www.dw.com/en/made-in-china-label-hugely-popular-in-germany/a-2845341

Wow - you're quite the googler.

Seems hard to find much of anything from Sony, Canon, Toshiba etc. not made in China.

First, that's true of the products under those brands here, but it's not as true of the products under those brands there. Japan isn't immune to the rise of Chinese production, but when it comes to a lot of things like tools/power tools, cars, higher-end cameras/lenses, lots of household appliances, etc. the demand for Japanese-made is extremely strong, and far more than exists here in the US for US production.

 

[M635_Guy]

My Milwaukee or Walker jack smoke that POS Snap On want to be yellow jack at HF.

Something to think about the Snap On weighs several more pounds. It is built better period. It might not be worth $750 but I would pay more for it.

Dude - that's laughable. At best the SO jack is squeaks by on a couple small points that might be worth a tiny fraction of the premium they're asking for a jack almost certainly made in the same facility. The Daytona (yellow) jack is an outstanding jack, and absolutely worth what they're charging for it. The differences appear to be the wheels (difference in lift height and probably the majority of the weight, along with what I understand is a slightly different handle). It's not MiUSA, so it's worth what HF is charging for it, maybe a few bucks more for the improved seals I understand they use, but that's about it.

Some Chinese products are excellent but if it’s built for a budget you sometimes get cheap, not long lasting or even dangerous

You could say the same thing for products made pretty much anywhere. Even Japan and Germany have their examples.