Bud,
I agree wholeheartedly. I'm equally as sick of this junk as anyone. A
while back, I considered setting up a web site specifically for Made in the
USA stuff but I think someone has already done that. Like you, I always
check and buy US if possible. If not, I go with the ABC (Anywhere But
China) choice.
Heard
-----Original Message-----
From: spridgets-bounces@autox.team.net
[mailto:spridgets-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bud Osbourne
Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 8:15 AM
To: 'Spridget Chat Group'
Subject: [Spridgets] replacing my Ingersol-Rand "stall saw" today
Yesterday, after my Ingersol-Rand air-powered saber saw (which is more aptly
described/named "stall saw") once again began to stick in it's favorite mode
(stalled), I contacted my local tool supplier to order a replacement. I
ordered a Chicago Pneumatic model 9600. My tool guy tells me that, these
days, automotive air tools are virtually all made "off-shore" (China) and,
in
his opinion, are equally bad. I've had that I-R air saw for roughly 20
years
and it's been a real love-hate relationship. I love what it allows me to do
(currently, I'm working in the rear fender well of one my water-cooled VWs,
fitting up a new inner fender. Since I refuse to use a lap joint, in this
application, the "stall saw" is used to cut the new panel to fit, using the
un-rusted/collision damaged remains of the original for a saw guide. It's
more than a bit tedious, but the finished product will be far more rust
resistant than a crappy old lap joint.
Anyway, I just wanted to express my frustration at being unable to buy a
made
in USA replacement for my Taiwanese I-R saw. My tool guy tells me that a
local, Pittsburgh area manufacturer, which used to produce all of CP's &
I-R's
parts, has now began producing and selling those same tools under their own
name, since the patents have been allowed to expire. They only produce the
big, heavy, industrial stuff and it's quite pricey..........as in $1500 for
a
1" drive impact wrench. Apparently, they have no plans to produce air tools
for automotive use. I have to assume that this is because the clueless
majority would opt for the cheap, Chinese-built crap thinking they were
getting 'something for nothing"............And that's the problem; everybody
wants something for nothing and so they keep pumping money into the Chinese
economy and have turned us into China's biggest retailer.
When I can find them, I virtually always buy "made in USA" and I often buy
used, US-made tools from a used tool dealer about an hour north of where I
live. When I'm looking at something at a store, I always make a point of
asking (although I already know the answer) if they have an American-made
example of the item I'm looking at. I let them know that I'm not at all
happy
about buying anything made in China and often just refuse to make the
purchase, figuring I'll just do without, or scrounge up an older,
American-made replacement somewhere. I view the flood of Chinese-made
consumer (and industrial) products as a potentially terminal cancer that our
country has become afflicted with. Somehow, we need to make a bigger issue
out of this than it currently is, because it will eventually be our
downfall.
Climbing down from my soap box......
Bud Osbourne
Suggested annual donation $12.75
You are subscribed as heard@datatrontech.net
http://www.team.net/archive
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/spridgets
_______________________________________________
Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.75
http://www.team.net/archive
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/spridgets
|