Tools now and then #1: Are consumer tools getting better or worse
As the title suggests, we know of tools, both hand and power that have been used from as far back as the early 1900’s and in cases, still being used. The reason why they are still being used is because they were constructed of the best materials (best at the time) and made with meticulous care. The result was a tool that was made to last a long time, long before the term “planned obsolescence” entered the vocabulary of manufacturers. Are today’s tools better than those of yesterday? I will concede that materials are better today for some things, but some materials never change, cast iron used for vises and anvils and all types of large machine tools. The HF wrench that breaks when looseni...
