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American Made Power Tools

nahudson

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Oct 23, 2010
Messages
615
A few months ago, I decided to replace all of my foreign tools with American Made Tools. I have sold a bunch of stuff on Ebay and I have replaced most all of my hand tools.
However I just have a few things left to replace
Locking pliers, I found one Proto from Cripe and I am looking for some long nose and 10in protos as well at a decent price and also some Tin snips

Now that I am almost done with my hand tools I am looking at my power tools

Are any of them made in the USA. I thought that Bosch was assembled in the USA and I consider that American made, as close as it can be

So what power tools, or cordless tools are made in the USA.

I already have a nice set of Dewalt cordless, but I do not think they are US made.

Any suggestions would be helpful
 
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00V8

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Apr 30, 2012
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Bosch is not american made. Some ridgid and milwaukee stuff is made in mexico and canada. That may be as close as you get these days!
 

brtsvg

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Take a look @ Makita - I just bought a Makita 6407 3/8 corded drill made in GA
 

RedFordTruck

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I have recently done the same thing you have done. Sold 99% of my imported hand tools on craigslist, some for more that I paid for. Now virtually all of my hand tools are American made. I have a few taiwans and what not, but no chinese garbage. Sold my big 227 piece kobalt socket set, a boatload of chinese garbage kobalt pliers, a bunch of chinese assorted junk. Now I have Mostly craftsman, with a good number of channellock, estwing, etc. I am a LOT happier with my American made tools. They dont start to rust right when you open the package, they have a sturdier feel to them, and best of all I get to read MADE IN USA when I pick up a tool. Sick of all the chinese ****.

For tin snips, I would go with midwest. Great product. Made in the USA. I got mine at sears. Wiss are nice too.

For power tools, SOME Milwaukee tools are Assembled in the USA. You have to check the package. Dewalt is mexico/asia, depends on the tool. Mexican Dewalt seems to be nice, plus I would rather have mexican than chinese.

Other than that I dont have a clue.
 
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woody 73

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Man I wish you were with me on Saturday I passed up a good deal on a fantastic old 1960's Craftsman saw with the case and all the original paperwork for $20.00 Dollars. That beast was built in the USA.

You might have to look for older used power tools,they are out there for the taking if made in the USA is important to you.
 

caseyrod

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hollywood,fl.
same here i ve been replacing what little chinese tools i have with U.S. made ones.even repairing old power tools,its worth it.
 

RedFordTruck

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May 10, 2012
Messages
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I've been buying almost any american made vise grips I can find. A home depot near me still has maybe 15 pairs of the American made big 11 inch vise-clamps. I forget what the official name is. Maybe 11C?

Sure, american made tools cost more, but its worth it for quality and knowing that your tool was made by an american, not some 12 year old chinese.
 

nanofrog

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FWIW, the Bosch cordless drill I own was made in Switzerland, and the batteries in Malaysia.
 

Terra Nova

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I can't think of any power tools still made in the USA, not that they don't exist but I can't think of any, certainly not an entire brands' lineup. Milwaukee is coming out of China and Mexico along with most. If your just anti-china you could go with Bosch or Festool, most of their products come out of Europe.

Couple of years ago I was shopping circular saws. Had my mind set on a Milwaukee before even getting into the store since that's what my dad used as far back as I can remember. After handling them all I changed my mind to a Makita. Which is NOT an easy thing for a product to do. But the Milwaukee said COO was USA and Makita was an import. Grabbed a Milwaukee off the shelf and took it home. Opened her up and it was "Made in China".... arghhh! The display must have been a couple years old I guess. That said, the base plate was actually better then the US made display unit and that saw is an animal and I enjoy using it.
 
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nahudson

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Oct 23, 2010
Messages
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I have recently done the same thing you have done. Sold 99% of my imported hand tools on craigslist, some for more that I paid for. Now virtually all of my hand tools are American made. I have a few taiwans and what not, but no chinese garbage. Sold my big 227 piece kobalt socket set, a boatload of chinese garbage kobalt pliers, a bunch of chinese assorted junk. Now I have Mostly craftsman, with a good number of channellock, estwing, etc. I am a LOT happier with my American made tools. They dont start to rust right when you open the package, they have a sturdier feel to them, and best of all I get to read MADE IN USA when I pick up a tool. Sick of all the chinese ****.

For tin snips, I would go with midwest. Great product. Made in the USA. I got mine at sears. Wiss are nice, but I have an aversion to Apex since theyre moving every F***ing tool brand possible to china or some other 3rd world country.

For power tools, SOME Milwaukee tools are Assembled in the USA. You have to check the package. Dewalt is mexico/asia, depends on the tool. Mexican Dewalt seems to be nice, plus I would rather have mexican than chinese.

Other than that I dont have a clue.



I actually just found some midwest on Amazon, got me a pair for $8
I also went to Harry Epstiens and I found USA made Irwin vice grips!!!
Right now it is just odds and ends, like a tape measures, putty knifes, cutting knife and other items
 
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nahudson

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Oct 23, 2010
Messages
615
Take a look @ Makita - I just bought a Makita 6407 3/8 corded drill made in GA


Will do, I just sold my only corded drill, it was a black and decker I bought about 10 years ago, it was pretty beat up
 

plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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I have a pair of Midwest snip's, they cut pretty nice, IMO.


I agree that you wont find much for new US made power tool's.
 

fivespdcat

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Oct 25, 2011
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Depends on exactly what you are looking for. A drill is probably going to be hard though...
 

tribbles

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Las Cruces, NM
I have a Craftsman drill, typical 3/8" corded reversible, probably 20 years old and marked 'Made in USA' on the label. I just can't kill it.
 

-->

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NY outer borrough.
FWIW Metabo is made in Germany. Not USA but still high quality. Barring that I would try to find older power tools in good shape that are made here.
 

BJ42LX

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Snap on !!!!

Yeah, but the USA selection is pretty slim.

Basically you have the 14.4V drill and impact, and the 18V drill and impact. The corded tools are all Blue Point which means China. There are also Blue Point versions of the 14.4V and 18V cordless tools.

Batteries appear to be made in Mexico.
 

Guns R Tools

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May 23, 2011
Messages
257
I have Milwaukee Cordless Impact marked "Professionally Made in China".

It's gonna be tough hunting finding USA made power tools, especially cordless.
 
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kidney

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Apr 27, 2007
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I have a 1/2 corded Milwaukee drill and a Super Sawzall that are USA made. I think I bought them just before they got sent overseas.
 

vintagefan

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Joined
Mar 2, 2012
Messages
613
A few months ago, I decided to replace all of my foreign tools with American Made Tools. I have sold a bunch of stuff on Ebay and I have replaced most all of my hand tools.
However I just have a few things left to replace
Locking pliers, I found one Proto from Cripe and I am looking for some long nose and 10in protos as well at a decent price and also some Tin snips

Now that I am almost done with my hand tools I am looking at my power tools

Are any of them made in the USA. I thought that Bosch was assembled in the USA and I consider that American made, as close as it can be

So what power tools, or cordless tools are made in the USA.

I already have a nice set of Dewalt cordless, but I do not think they are US made.

Any suggestions would be helpful

I commend you. If more people start thinking like us, instead of the "screw everyone else, I'm all about ME" mindset that has brought this country to where it is now, then maybe, just maybe we might have a chance of turning things around in our manufacturing sector.


I think you'll find going 100% USA on tools is pretty much impossible, but you can certainly try to go with mostly American made.


Here's a better approach: Go USA when possible, but diversify away from tools. There are many other ways to buy USA, and not spend a whole lot more (if any more) doing it.

As far as tools go, I usually try for USA first, then I go for most of Europe and Canada, next is Taiwan and Vietnam, and then finally if I have no other choice, I'll go Chinese. I'm not going to lie, my tool buying is quite a bit political, but it's mostly about supporting my fellow Americans, not about my opinion of other countries.

I have recently done the same thing you have done. Sold 99% of my imported hand tools on craigslist, some for more that I paid for. Now virtually all of my hand tools are American made. I have a few taiwans and what not, but no chinese garbage. Sold my big 227 piece kobalt socket set, a boatload of chinese garbage kobalt pliers, a bunch of chinese assorted junk. Now I have Mostly craftsman, with a good number of channellock, estwing, etc. I am a LOT happier with my American made tools. They dont start to rust right when you open the package, they have a sturdier feel to them, and best of all I get to read MADE IN USA when I pick up a tool. Sick of all the chinese ****.

For tin snips, I would go with midwest. Great product. Made in the USA. I got mine at sears. Wiss are nice, but I have an aversion to Apex since theyre moving every F***ing tool brand possible to china or some other 3rd world country.

For power tools, SOME Milwaukee tools are Assembled in the USA. You have to check the package. Dewalt is mexico/asia, depends on the tool. Mexican Dewalt seems to be nice, plus I would rather have mexican than chinese.

Other than that I dont have a clue.


I'm also disgusted with the import garbage. Most of it has no soul, no character to it. It feels cold and dead. I feel more attached to American made, or even Euro made tools.

At first I thought it may be Xenophobia on my part, but I really think one can tell when love and pride are put into a product... it just shows. You can tell when a product is all about the money and nothing else.

When I started with my new Snap-on dealer, the first thing I told him when I stepped on the truck, is if it's not USA, I don't want it (a generality, I'll buy Taiwan if that's all that's available for that exact tool). I also sent letters to as many corporate emails as I could, telling them that I would only continue to buy Snap-on tools, if they continue to show support for American manufacturing, even during their current globalization efforts.

It's also the reason that I paid a large sum (by my standards) for a Snap-on toolbox. It's one of the only games in town in you want a USA made toolbox.

Yeah, but the USA selection is pretty slim.

Basically you have the 14.4V drill and impact, and the 18V drill and impact. The corded tools are all Blue Point which means China. There are also Blue Point versions of the 14.4V and 18V cordless tools.

Batteries appear to be made in Mexico.

Afaik those couple you mentioned may very well be the last cordless drills made in America, besides maybe some very expensive specialty tools for industrial use.

I tend to try for stuff like Festool if possible, if not I just go for whatever I like.

I WISH I had options for USA made power tools, but sadly for the most part, I don't.
 
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Peoria Man

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Mar 1, 2012
Messages
2,491
I have a 1/2 corded Milwaukee drill and a Super Sawzall that are USA made. I think I bought them just before they got sent overseas.

Same here - I bought a 1/2" Milwaukee cordless impact a few years ago and it was made in USA. This was right before they got bought by Techtronics or whomever it is who owns Milwaukee now. I doubt I could get a similar one now that isn't Chinese.
 

shoturtle

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Jan 15, 2012
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4,395
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Frankfurt AM
If you are looking for power tools, especially. Pretty much all big brands have made in china in their line up. Bosch high end stuff is made in Switzerland, Germany, and USA. Metabo is Germany and China. But not to much of their Chinese stuff is imported to the USA. Mikita is the same Japan and china. So is hilti, Germany and china.

So you really need to go with individual tools not brand. But it is really heard to find all the power tools you want that are made in the USA.
 
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Monte

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Snap-On power tools are "USA Assembled".
For "Made in USA" you have to look for older power tools from Bosch (routers, recip saw...) or Milwaukee etc.
But some Makitas still are "Made/Assembled (?) in USA" like these:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Right-Angle-SanderGrinderCut-Off-1GUA8

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Finish-Sander-14F070

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Plate-Joiner-14G990

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Sander-Polisher-14F045

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Circular-Saw-6RA89

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Drywall-Cut-Out-Tool-14G988

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Miter-Saw-14F150

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Hammer-Drill-Kit-3NLP8

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Drill-14F025

some Makitas have a more exotic non china coo:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Belt-Sander-3NLP4
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MAKITA-Electric-Hedge-Trimmer-6MYD2

If you simply want to avoid made in China, there are options from Europe like Festool, Rupes, Fein, Mafell, Trumpf, some Bosch + Metabo tools, Eibenstock, Duss, Baier, Steinel, Draco, Leister, Protool, Narex, Lamello, Rollers, Rems, Perles, Sparky, Kress......... You name it we make it :D
 

RedFordTruck

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May 10, 2012
Messages
921
I commend you. If more people start thinking like us, instead of the "screw everyone else, I'm all about ME" mindset that has brought this country to where it is now, then maybe, just maybe we might have a chance of turning things around in our manufacturing sector.


I think you'll find going 100% USA on tools is pretty much impossible, but you can certainly try to go with mostly American made.


Here's a better approach: Go USA when possible, but diversify away from tools. There are many other ways to buy USA, and not spend a whole lot more (if any more) doing it.

As far as tools go, I usually try for USA first, then I go for most of Europe and Canada, next is Taiwan and Vietnam, and then finally if I have no other choice, I'll go Chinese. I'm not going to lie, my tool buying is quite a bit political, but it's mostly about supporting my fellow Americans, not about my opinion of other countries.




I'm also disgusted with the import garbage. Most of it has no soul, no character to it. It feels cold and dead. I feel more attached to American made, or even Euro made tools.

At first I thought it may be Xenophobia on my part, but I really think one can tell when love and pride are put into a product... it just shows. You can tell when a product is all about the money and nothing else.

When I started with my new Snap-on dealer, the first thing I told him when I stepped on the truck, is if it's not USA, I don't want it (a generality, I'll buy Taiwan if that's all that's available for that exact tool). I also sent letters to as many corporate emails as I could, telling them that I would only continue to buy Snap-on tools, if they continue to show support for American manufacturing, even during their current globalization efforts.

It's also the reason that I paid a large sum (by my standards) for a Snap-on toolbox. It's one of the only games in town in you want a USA made toolbox.



Afaik those couple you mentioned may very well be the last cordless drills made in America, besides maybe some very expensive specialty tools for industrial use.

I tend to try for stuff like Festool if possible, if not I just go for whatever I like.

I WISH I had options for USA made power tools, but sadly for the most part, I don't.



Same here on the first statement. I always hunt for the USA made. When I buy gifts for birthdays, etc, I have started only giving USA made gifts. And there are many great options! Mag-lites, tervis tumblers, nalgenes, lodge cast iron cookware, etc. Not only are they 10x higher quality than imported junk, but they usually cost about the same as imports, sometimes less!



2nd bolded, I wish I had the money for snap on, but since I dont, I looked around at my tool box options. Most Store brands are Either Imports, or USA with Domestic and foreign materials. Kobalts are China, HF, NT, etc are all china. Craftsman are either Mexico or USA with Global materials. I went with a Home Depot Husky box. Some are imported, but some are made by Waterloo. My box was made in USA with imported and domestic materials. It even had the destination label on it to the HD store from the waterloo factory in missouri. Glad to know it was built by an American rather than some 13 year old chinese.
 
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nahudson

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Oct 23, 2010
Messages
615
I found some irwin vice grips from Harry Epstiens that were made in the USA, I bought them
I saw the tape measures
Does anyone have them? if so how are they?

I did get a Craftsman made in USA 24in level in the mail today and it is pretty awesome. I need to order the 48in as well. I have been selling everything I can or buying stuff at garage sales and then selling what I can to help fund everything

I have to thank my late Grandfather for my love of tools. 2 years after he passed, I moved 4 doors down from my Grandma and one day she went to show me all of his tools, he was a machinist at Boeing, (he has one awesome Kennedy chest, still looks new) so he had some cool stuff. However he had wrenches from way back in the day and some were my great grandfathers, there were over 140 wrenches, not a single one was made anywhere else but for the USA. Lots of pride in his tools. My grandma says, he was the same way, if was it not US made he did not want it, and he would be pretty proud of me for many reasons, but really for trying to buy US when ever I can, whether it be tools or any other item.
 

472scout

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The thing that really pisses me off about the Chinese is the rampant ripping off of American ideas and products. If it isn't patented to the ninth degree the Chinese will steal it. I'm not talking about out sourcing. At least the English and Germans know how to come up with their own products.
 

gatewaysysop

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I just found a fat max tape on Amazon and it says it is made in the USA, not all of the fat max tape measures say this, so good deal with additional $5 off
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VSKOWA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Be careful. The ones I've seen in-store and in-person have said USA on the packing, but not on the tape and there was a reason. Fine print on the back, "assembled in USA from global components" or some such. Buyer beware. I was really disappointed when I saw that. :sad:
 

IndyGarage

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As said earlier, Makita has a plant in Buford Georgia.

I think Stihl Chainsaws are made in Virginia.

Don't know if Porter Cable still does anything in Tennessee or not, they still did their high end tools there a few years ago.

Baldor makes motors in US and Kalamazoo makes grinders from their motors.

Powermatic used to build heavy tools in Chicago. , not sure they still do.
 

IndyGarage

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The thing that really pisses me off about the Chinese is the rampant ripping off of American ideas and products. If it isn't patented to the ninth degree the Chinese will steal it. I'm not talking about out sourcing. At least the English and Germans know how to come up with their own products.

Even if it is patented the Chinese will used it - however they aren't ripping anybody off.

It's not illegal in their country to copy a design, so they do it.


It's like them saying "Gun crime is rampant in America - why do they have so many guns?" - because guns are outlawed in China, they don't have gun crime and can't figure out why "lawless Americans" allow them.
 

472scout

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Even if it is patented the Chinese will used it - however they aren't ripping anybody off.

It's not illegal in their country to copy a design, so they do it.


It's like them saying "Gun crime is rampant in America - why do they have so many guns?" - because guns are outlawed in China, they don't have gun crime and can't figure out why "lawless Americans" allow them.

Your clarity of thought and knowledge of international and US law is off the chart. :lol:

I'm not going to type a book so just suffice to say that there are currently 100's of lawsuits pending against Chinese companies for infringement.
 

Vinko

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I have a 1/2 corded Milwaukee drill and a Super Sawzall that are USA made. I think I bought them just before they got sent overseas.

I got 3 of the Milwaukee 02346 1/2 magnum drills, made in the USA about 1-2 years ago. Now they're this model is Chinese. Haven't tested the different ones side-by-side, but the American ones are workhorses. And really easy to change the brushes on.

I noticed the Sawzall's are made in China now. I used one and it seemed OK.
 

Vinko

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there are options from Europe like Festool, Rupes, Fein, Mafell, Trumpf, some Bosch + Metabo tools, Eibenstock, Duss, Baier, Steinel, Draco, Leister, Protool, Narex, Lamello, Rollers, Rems, Perles, Sparky, Kress......... You name it we make it :D

You forgot Suhner:)
 

Vinko

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I believe some Starrett tape measures are made in the US. If not, there's loads on the NOS market.
 

Monte

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You forgot Suhner:)

you´re right ! sorry ! ;):D:thumbup:

There are a couple of Dolmar corded tools from the UK (hedge trimmer) they sell here, and I forgot Stihl of course (corded/cordless tools made in Germany/Austria) and several others like BDS + Magnetor (magnetic core drills) Kranzle + Karcher (pressure washers/vacuums), Böhler + Proxxon (mini tools), Hilti (Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein), Hitachi (ireland), Scheer (routers from germany), Stayer (Italy,Spain), Virutex (Spain), Novus electric staplers (German, Czech), Wacker (hammer drills, chisels), Hoogs (cutting tools), Rapid (glue guns + staplers from France + Italy), Grag (swiss metal cutting tools), Casals (Spain), Bühnen + Reka (german glue guns), Forsthoff (heat guns) even some Dewalt + Milwaukee tools are made in Czech Republic......There are probably even more power tools made over here....

If you not only count manufacturers but also "rebadgers" like Wurth, BTI, Pferd or these kitchen mixers www.rase-ruehrer.de/produkte.htm who use german made power tool motors (Fein + Baier) for their products then the amount is almost endless...
 
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