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On cheap tools...

stricht8

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Well I came across a nicely put paragraph out of a 1913 text entitled "The Modern Gasoline Automobile, it's construction, operation, maintenance and repair.". I like the word "modern." Anyway, here goes:

A word of caution to motorists who are apt to judge tools merely by the price should be heeded. Many men who are not mechanically informed select even the cheaper tools by price rather than quality. As a rule the better quality tools cost only a few cents more and will give satisfactory service during a lifetime, while cheaper ones often cannot endure the work of a single season. Cheap chisels and punches are made of soft, improperly tempered steel; cheap wrenches are made from malleable iron castings, instead of steel drop forgings; low-priced screw drivers have the blades of inferior stock and so flimsily secured in the handle that they will turn on the slightest provocation instead of loosening the screw to which they are applied. The motorist who buys cheap tools is penny wise and pound foolish and it is better to purchase fewer tools, but good ones, if economy dictates when the purchase is made.
 
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Joe B.

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Not much has changed except for the price difference between cheap and good. Sadly, Snap on is not just a few more cents than Harbor Freight.... even when adjusted for inflation.
 
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stricht8

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Those must have been good days. A few cents more gets you the snap on.
 

wyndycity

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Very interesting...it's neat to see such an vintage example of the concept of quality vs. economy regarding tools. Just goes to show that just because a tool is old (even 100 years) it doesn't necessarily make it a great quality tool.

I'm betting the cheaper stuff the author had in mind wasn't Chinese-made though. :lol:

Anyone know what kinds of tool brands were considered to be on the lower end of the totem pole back in the day?
 
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truckdriver

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In 1913 a "few cents more" was actually quite a bit of money for the average Joe.
What cost $125 in 1913 would cost $2653.76 in 2007. With all the money being printed and borrowed by the FED inflation is likely alot higher now than 2007, but the inflation calculator only goes to 2007. In 1913 there was no corporate tax(now at 35%)EPA, or any of the other gov controls that add to the cost of an item.
 
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Zrexxer

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im taking it thats not hanging on the wall in a harbor freight anywhere
Nope, this is what's hanging on HF's office wall:

cha-ching.jpg
 

Danglerb

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Sounds like a total crock to me. Who at the turn of the century a hundred years ago had any kind of selection in the tools they bought? They had the Sears catalog, the general store (that would most likely need to order tools) and maybe some option for tools from the vendor of some piece of equipment. None of these would offer any opportunity short of buying the tool to inspect it for quality.
 
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stricht8

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Sounds like a total crock to me. Who at the turn of the century a hundred years ago had any kind of selection in the tools they bought? They had the Sears catalog, the general store (that would most likely need to order tools) and maybe some option for tools from the vendor of some piece of equipment. None of these would offer any opportunity short of buying the tool to inspect it for quality.

Not so sure. In another paragraph he refers to treacherous jacks made of cheap metal castings.
 

Zrexxer

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I have the "Revised and Enlarged" 1920 edition, which I inherited from my Grandfather. Not that it furthers the thread any, but I thought I'd share a couple pics. I had to photograph it, as the binding is too fragile to spread it open on a scanner.

The cover:

ModernAutomobile1920003-800.jpg


And from the discussion on tools; we've obviously got things all confused, it shows the set of tools suitable for making all repairs on automobile mechanisms :D

ModernAutomobile1920005-800.jpg
 
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stricht8

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It looks almost identical to the 1913 edition. You read thus book and realize how very different but also how similar things are today.
 

toolnut

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I think some off the cheap tools of the day were the thin walled sockets. I just can't remember who the manufacturer was. They cracked real easy and busted knuckles. I remember seeing an article on them.
 
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