Why I buy American Tools

[RCStocker]

Re: Wy buy American Tools?

I'm new and all, but isn't this kicking a dead horse?
Coworker has wrenches that say "pittsburgh" on them, lawl.

Pittsburg are form Harbor Freight made in
China and have nothing to do with the city.

 

[ssentt]

The drivers burnt out their own headlights? If I have a burnt out headlight on a locomotive I have to get it fixed. There are company and (because it is the railroad) federal guidelines regarding this. Management will try to intimidate me into departing with the burned out headlight despite the fact that it violates their own rules because it is the local managers job to get the trains moved down the line. Once it leaves his terminal it's someone else's problem. If I do take the train with the burned out headlight and something happens such as a crossing accident, trespasser gets greased, etc., it's my *** that's in deep ****. The manager will say he never told me to depart and upper management will take his side (even if they know he did it) for liability reasons and in the end it will be my kids who have to go without. Replacing the headlight will take forever! This will be because the mechanical department will wait until someone is going to be in the area anyway because calling a man out to fix it will cost money above and beyond the rock bottom number he was hoping for and cut into his bonus. When the train with the burnt out light doesn't get to it's destination on time management will blame me and say that I was dicking around trying to make overtime to keep from admitting they didn't want to call someone out. I could've changed the light myself if I had the lamp, but again, company rules prevent me from doing so because of the outside chance I might pinch my finger or something. Management will cut jobs so much that they don't have enough men to service the customers until hours later than scheduled. When the customer calls corporate and raises hell they will apologize and ask the local manager to explain. The local manager will blame me and say that I was not willing to work because I was on my day off and wouldn't answer the phone. The truth of the matter is that the Local Manager cut jobs way deeper than what was required to do the work to save money and improve is bonus that is based on his operating budget which in turn caused me to work enough days in a row that I am prohibited by federal law from working again until I've had 48 hours off plus he has a whole list of furloughed guys begging to work that he never attempted to call. The railroad will micro-manage themselves into a bind and when someone has to answer to upper management for the cluster f#%k they created they'll blame me, the lazy union ******* that's trying to lay the meat to them. I know how big business works, I live it every day, and I imagine NW was much the same. They blame the union for incompetent management and people like you buy every word they say because you refuse to see big business as the cut throat bastards that they are.

Bravo !!! I see chit just like this where I'm at too. Incompetent idiots in charge and unwilling to admit it. Maybe book smart but completely lacking any common sense. It looks good on paper.....toilet paper!

 

[buffalobill]

Why would the DOT care how much the drivers were making?

they wouldn't, but t0 earn the pay that he is talking about, they have to drive the miles, since they are paid by "cents per mile". since the DOT does care about the hours of serice for commercial drivers being adhered to, they love guys who try and cheat the system.

the kind of pay he was talking about is unacheiveable legally.

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

Kind of ironic using a slogan of a company that imports all their product (Shoes). But wait that is the same company that either employees or causes tens of thousands maybe hundred of thousands of US workers to be employed.

i believe their slogan is just do it.this is the silly **** killing us.i say buy American WHEN you can(but do it).and somebody cant even agree with that?well then nwphotog ,dont buy American at all.this is stupid this site has the power to influence companies to the good or bad.it is a shame,maybe we could start by finding JUST ONE thing we can agree on.i guess buy American when you can is to radical for some,i thought maybe it would be if it is stamped made in USA it should be made in USA was something else that could be a starting point.do you realize if we ,together ALL signed an electronic petition to a company saying we at GJ as the premier tool website in the world feel that (insert something we can all,or most all agree on)should be the policy regarding blank.or maybe;as a group we here at GJ feel that your practice of blank ,should be commended.or if agreed by most it could read we here at GJ feel that your policy of blank,should be stopped.and dont start with the ********.snapon put made in USA back for a reason and it was not kindness,it was enough people saying oh i wont buy that.so stop arguing and help ,pleaseBTW **** nike

 

[buffalobill]

NW were 100% team operation, no need for multiple logs (any rookie driver worth the liscense knows how to not get caught).
no they were not, are you digging yourself in deeper again? they had teams, just like every other freight carrier, but they had plenty of road drivers who didn't team drive.
The biggest generators werent the ones driving, they were the ones sitting waiting for the road service truck or wrecker, thats how you make money in a union driving job,no its not, you make a LOT more on the mileage rate than you do on the hourly rate, the hourly rate is only about 2/3 of what you make when the wheels are turning.

by not driving, good ol American Union reward for a creative lack of productivity,
reward? how is it a reward to take equipment out, have it break down, and get paid for being on duty at work? if you are at work, you should get paid, but i guess you love volunteering, huh?
kind of like the guys who spend their whole carreer on light duty at work while roller blading and bunji-jumping on the weekend, but I'm quite sure these guys will say that never happens either

keep diggin that hole, its getting pretty deep. current milage rate for YRC road drivers with a set of doubles is around 54 cpm, iirc. hourly breakdown rate is only 20 an hour. averaging 50 miles an hour, you are losing almost 6 dollars an hour on breakdown. so how are the guys making money the ones sitting around again?

 

[buffalobill]

The trucks were better than most on the road, you know DOT watching and all, they did what most union drivers do, take advantage of the loop-holes to do as little as possible for the most pay, that means if they can sit on "break down" time for a blown fuse or burned out headlight and get paid an extra 4 or 5 hours, they would,(if that fuse or light causes a dot recordable violation, what is the driver supposed to do? the drivers arent mechanics, any decent company is going to tell their drivers HANDS OFF the trucks, let the mechanics do it.

the shop knows the drivers were causing the break downs,
please inform everyone on here why a driver would cut his own pay

the management knows the drivers were causing the breakdowns,
management knows everything, blah blah blah, its always the drivers fault.....
the union knows the drivers were causing the break downs but unless someone could prove it, the union saved the jobs.

the union knows how these shoestring companies operate, they will step over a dollar to pick up a penny.

You know why the Teamsters mascot is a horse dont you? It's the only animal that can sleep standing up.

im still waiting for your tap dance on why the drivers would cut their own pay to sit at the side of the road, making less money.....

 

[NWphotog]

it always amazes me when a guys says "no bs excuses" in his original post, and you come on here and give them, because you want to feel better. I've read your posts on here, you fly a chinese flag on the front of your house or somethin?

If the OP didn't want to hear the truth he should have said exactly that. We are never, repeat NEVER, going back to the 50s. We prosper more when we focus on what we do best. While you are focusing on manufacturing jobs, China is going to focus on higher end jobs. If we don't see that we have lost already. But if you want to focus on those $2 an hour manufacturing jobs go for it. BTW where did you develop all this xenophobia?!

 

[NWphotog]

i believe their slogan is just do it.this is the silly **** killing us.i say buy American WHEN you can(but do it).and somebody cant even agree with that?well then nwphotog ,dont buy American at all.this is stupid this site has the power to influence companies to the good or bad.it is a shame,maybe we could start by finding JUST ONE thing we can agree on.i guess buy American when you can is to radical for some,i thought maybe it would be if it is stamped made in USA it should be made in USA was something else that could be a starting point.do you realize if we ,together ALL signed an electronic petition to a company saying we at GJ as the premier tool website in the world feel that (insert something we can all,or most all agree on)should be the policy regarding blank.or maybe;as a group we here at GJ feel that your practice of blank ,should be commended.or if agreed by most it could read we here at GJ feel that your policy of blank,should be stopped.and dont start with the ********.snapon put made in USA back for a reason and it was not kindness,it was enough people saying oh i wont buy that.so stop arguing and help ,pleaseBTW **** nike

Dude you need to read more carefully. I didn't even write that I disagreed with you. I did point out the extreme irony in your post. F Nike?! What kind of idiot are you?!

 

[nanofrog]

I guess I choose to blame the person who is taking the money, because without him, the giver of the money would have no influence.

I don't excuse them by a long shot.

But I look at the puppet master as being the worst part of the pair. Particularly as not all of the puppets were even elected, but rather appointed (ex-civilian bankers that have been appointed to positions such as Chairman of the Fed. Reserve and other critical economic offices, former DoD contractors now running intelligence agencies, ....).

I guess we have the same general POV (political-industrial collusion), but just appropriate the higher % of blame differently is all.

To me, at least elected politicians can be voted out, unlike corporations. Particularly as we have no oversight/influence over them realistically speaking (should be able to pass laws, but that's been corrupted to the point it's worthless). Makes displacing corporate influence much harder than getting rid of a politician (this isn't all that simple either) IMHO.

 

[richfinn]

This is all ********, why is it even in general tools discussion?

 

[Chipmunk]

This is all ********, why is it even in general tools discussion?

Is someone forcing you to read it?

 

[Chipmunk]

You know why the Teamsters mascot is a horse dont you? It's the only animal that can sleep standing up.

I guess that would mean the horse is already on his feet, ready to go, when he wakes up.
What’s your mascot? A weasel ?

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

Dude you need to read more carefully. I didn't even write that I disagreed with you. I did point out the extreme irony in your post. F Nike?! What kind of idiot are you?!

ok,if i did not use their slogan why is it ironic.you did say i used their slogan, right?i forgot to answer your question.i am an idiot that does not support child slave labor,and i am an idiot that can read,how about you?take that you nike shoe wearing commie

 

[Conductor562]

If the OP didn't want to hear the truth he should have said exactly that. We are never, repeat NEVER, going back to the 50s. We prosper more when we focus on what we do best. While you are focusing on manufacturing jobs, China is going to focus on higher end jobs. If we don't see that we have lost already. But if you want to focus on those $2 an hour manufacturing jobs go for it. BTW where did you develop all this xenophobia?!

Nobody is trying to go back in time. The point is that I don't want what few remaining steel and manufacturing plants we have left to look like the ones in the OP. The vast majority of the manufacturing base we had is gone and isn't coming back, but there are some, albeit very few, but there are some, that still depend on people like me that pay a little more for American tools to support their families. As long as those people are still there I'll still be here advocating support for their means of existence. It's about doing my part to help my fellow countrymen and union brothers continue their way of life and as long as I'm financially able to do it, all other arguments are irrelevant.

 

[richfinn]

Is someone forcing you to read it?

Yeah, you just did

and its not about tools, its about politics which is supposed to be off limits for the following reasons.

1. Its boring as hell

2. all it does is cause arguments

3. Its tedious and uses up space

4. Its complete ******** for idiots who cant think for themselves

5. Why dont they start a "Made In America" section for people who have nothing else better to do than lecture people like me who don,t listen anyway.

6. I,m so hacked off with people telling me to buy USA on this site that I,m thinking about boycotting Snap-On (just to spite them)

 

[Chipmunk]

Yeah, you just did

Imagine that, I can reach all the way across the Atlantic, make you move your mouse to garagejournal.com, then click on this tab and start reading….and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

OK, listen carefully, you are feeling sleepy, very tired, you can hardly keep your eyes open. You are feeling very generous, you want to run out and buy an international money order for $100,000.00 and send it to Chipmunk at garage journal.com/

 

[richfinn]

Imagine that, I can reach all the way across the Atlantic, make you move your mouse to garagejournal.com, then click on this tab and start reading….and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

OK, listen carefully, you are feeling sleepy, very tired, you can hardly keep your eyes open. You are feeling very generous, you want to run out and buy an international money order for $100,000.00 and send it to Chipmunk at garage journal.com/

If I had $100,000 dollars, do you think I would be sat here reading your ******** on a Sunday morning??

I would be out buying European made stuff and smashing wing mirrors off Jeeps and PT cruisers just for badness

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

If I had $100,000 dollars, do you think I would be sat here reading your ******** on a Sunday morning??

I would be out buying European made stuff and smashing wing mirrors off Jeeps and PT cruisers just for badness

i hope you do it with a hammer made in england

 

[Exceller8]

I'm your oldest boy, by the name of Karl.

 

[richfinn]

i hope you do it with a hammer made in england

I,ll use the most cheap *** Chinese hammer I can find whilst I,m smashing up USA stuff so I get the maximum payback.

Then I,m going to McDonalds to piss in the chips

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

I,ll use the most cheap *** Chinese hammer I can find whilst I,m smashing up USA stuff so I get the maximum payback.

Then I,m going to McDonalds to piss in the chips

your about to get a your queen is so fat rant,from somebody,loland i dont care what you do at mcdonalds,i dont eat there because they sell FRENCHfries lol

 

[Chipmunk]

I,ll use the most cheap *** Chinese hammer I can find whilst I,m smashing up USA stuff so I get the maximum payback.

Then I,m going to McDonalds to piss in the chips

When your done, see if you can go somewhere to buy a sense of humor.

 

[Conductor562]

Like it or hate it, this thread has been entertaining. Sometimes you just gotta let it all out. I feel much better now

 

[richfinn]

your about to get a your queen is so fat rant,from somebody,lol

I dont care, I hate her too

Joking aside, there are only so many times you want to hear "Made in America"
in a week before you get sick of it. Some of its really good stuff but "let people choose". Thats what makes America a great country isn,t it?

Dont tell people what to do or buy (especially arrogant English people), Let them think for themselves

 

[dandan111]

McDonalds,how dare you. Back to the question. Why buy American tools. To support the USA of course. Thanks Rich for supporting the USA!

 

[richfinn]

When your done, see if you can go somewhere to buy a sense of humor.

I,ll join the union, thats always good for a laugh

 

[Exceller8]

I dont care, I hate her too

Joking aside, there are only so many times you want to hear "Made in America"
in a week before you get sick of it. Some of its really good stuff but "let people choose". Thats what makes America a great country isn,t it?

Dont tell people what to do or buy (especially arrogant English people), Let them think for themselves

I could buy 99% American made tools and someone here would *****.

It pisses me off when somebody tries to make me feel bad for buying a few items from HF. I'm learning to deal with it now that I've been here for awhile, but I will always be a 2012 guy.

 

[richfinn]

McDonalds,how dare you. Back to the question. Why buy American tools. To support the USA of course. Thanks Rich for supporting the USA!

I do support the USA when I can (buy British first obviously), but they get on my ****** nerves whining all the time

 

[dandan111]

Gotcha. Lol.

 

[Exceller8]

I do support the USA when I can (buy British first obviously), but they get on my ****** nerves whining all the time

How bout when they ***** about somebody picking on Snap-On.

 

[Chipmunk]

they get on my ****** nerves whining all the time

Hey I know what you mean.

 

[richfinn]

How bout when they ***** about somebody picking on Snap-On.

I figured that out, if someone spends $100,000 on Snap-On, they refuse to hear anything negative about the brand whatsoever. I think some people just go over the top.

It would not suprise me if some members slept in Snap-On pyjamas

 

[Hiball]

I figured that out, if someone spends $100,000 on Snap-On, they refuse to hear anything negative about the brand whatsoever. I think some people just go over the top.

It would not suprise me if some members slept in Snap-On pyjamas

If you actually stand back, open your eyes you will see that the same thing can be said about Harbor freight/cheap tool flavor of the week. I guess the only difference is the monetary value has changed and people have been disciplined in the past for "import" bashing, but it used to be acceptable to bash a member for "overspending", drinking the "kool-aid", Both sides are guilty... Some just think there above blame..

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

I figured that out, if someone spends $100,000 on Snap-On, they refuse to hear anything negative about the brand whatsoever. I think some people just go over the top.

It would not suprise me if some members slept in Snap-On pyjamas

here ive been sleeping in these crappy matco pjs,and now i find out snap on has them i bet the green ones cost more

 

[Conductor562]

Even the best manufacturers deserve a little hell now and then. Snap-On sometimes prices their stuff clear out of reason even for daily user pros. Proto (my personal favorite) sometimes leaves a little to be desired in the fit and finish department. The later USA made Kobalt and Craftsman branded stuff Danaher put out was straight garbage in many cases. I have import stuff, not a lot of it, but some. COO is a personal choice. Like minded people will support you but when people come along and do what is perceived as bashing American tools in support of import tools things are going to get ******. I can't hold it against someone who either can't afford or can't justify paying top dollar for their tools, but don't try to tell me the Chinese tools are better quality, better for the economy, or any of that type of nonsensical horse ****. They are what they are but aren't what they aren't.

 

[Hiball]

here ive been sleeping in these crappy matco pjs,and now i find out snap on has them

Probably could have got the same ones at sears, for much less money..

Lol..

 

[richfinn]

If you actually stand back, open your eyes you will see that the same thing can be said about Harbor freight/cheap tool flavor of the week. I guess the only difference is the monetary value has changed and people have been disciplined in the past for "import" bashing, but it used to be acceptable to bash a member for "overspending", drinking the "kool-aid", Both sides are guilty... Some just think there above blame..

I dont bash anyone Hiball, My point is people should have freedom of choice be It a Truck Brand or Chinese imports and not have to be constantly bullied into buying "made in USA" because it fits someone elses political agenda.

I was only kidding about the Pyjamas......They dont really exist, do they??

 

[work tools]

Two months ago I started working in a custom build shop, on an apprentice level, with few tools. The shop makes automated production machines for assembly lines, mostly one-of-kind projects. A significant percentage of the machines are exported, including to Asia.

I'm spending as much of my paycheck as I dare on hand tools, several hundred dollars a week so far. If inexpensive imported tools weren't available my viability on the job in these early months would be severely reduced. A lot of what's in my roll around, including the roll around, comes from Harbor Freight. In the long run it would be nice to have lots of high quality heir loom tools but right now the imported tools are a life saver.

This morning, I used my low cost Asian hand tools to help build an automated production machine that is going to a SE Asian factory. The machine will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Either we buy hand tools from the Asians so they have money to buy our robots or eventually we will be selling them the hand tools and they will be making the robots.

Speaking for myself, I'd rather be making robots than hand tools.

 

[Exceller8]

If you actually stand back, open your eyes you will see that the same thing can be said about Harbor freight/cheap tool flavor of the week. I guess the only difference is the monetary value has changed and people have been disciplined in the past for "import" bashing, but it used to be acceptable to bash a member for "overspending", drinking the "kool-aid", Both sides are guilty... Some just think there above blame..

I agree with that but its not always the same people doing it. I've tried several times to state that I buy American as much as possible but I will also shop at HF if it suits my needs. I have nothing against Snap-On at all and I wish I could afford to buy more but I'm not going into debt to do it. The bottom line is we are all here for the love of tools, cars, gear, etc... What difference does it make what I buy and use? We can argue all day and we'll still never agree on all points.

 

[Hiball]

I dont bash anyone Hiball, My point is people should have freedom of choice be It a Truck Brand or Chinese imports and not have to be constantly bullied into buying "made in USA" because it fits someone elses political agenda.

I was only kidding about the Pyjamas......They dont really exist, do they??

Yeah I in No way shape or form said you bashed anyone.

People not only "should" but do have the freedom to choose what they buy, it's silly to think that someone holds that power over someone via the interwebs. I've seen my fair share of these threads, it never fails someone posts up there beliefs and people start jumping in with both feet trying to defend there side of the story.