How important is MADE IN THE USA?

Made in the usa is getting harder by the day. Companies like Black and Decker buy up all the other tool companies and move the manufacturing over seas. Milwaukee sold out and is owned by the Chinese. The only way you can build a shop with American made is by using older model used tools. I bought a bunch of Porter Cable tools in 2000-2001 that were all made in Tennessee. My stationary tools are Ridgid, pre china. Made here by Emerson electric before they sent their manufacturing over seas. Good luck finding what you want.

I try to support local people (stores, products, etc.), but the U.S. economy is highly global. U.S. companies prosper fro overseas manufacturing, and we still have companies where exports/global sales are huge (Microsoft and Coke come to mind). My guess is that if you are were committed to U.S.-only technology, you wouldn't have been able to write this post.

For my local is a factor, but the biggest factor is the quality/price.

It's a little disappointing. I wonder if our current political climate will force a change. It would be nice if consumer demand forced the change instead.

It's a little disappointing. I wonder if our current political climate will force a change. It would be nice if consumer demand forced the change instead.

- Mrholefixitman

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When that $125 table saw at Home Depot goes up to $400 in order to be made in USA, the reality will dawn.

Yeah but it's kinda already the reality. If you want to buy a new quality handplane it's gonna cost. The odds of getting a bad woodriver plane are much much greater than getting a bad LN or such.

Quality does cost and money drives the market. If dirt cheap wasn't available people would look a lot harder at the quality aspect before spending but because of the cheap options nowadays many people buy the throwaway stuff as opposed to long term because it probably works for them. It seems to me the market is driven mostly by the homeowner nowadays as opposed to the craft. Hence, cheaper disposable option.

Buying old iron can mitigate some of this but you better be ready to work on them as well as woodworking. There are deals to be had and there are plug & play machines (for more $$ of course) that needs only maintenance. Labor simply is cheaper in many other parts of the world and while the old saying "you get what you pay for" still holds true for the most part, you can get high quality stuff made overseas and you can also get junk made in the USA.

Good info guys. Thanks

Northfield tools are still made here. $$$$$

Northfield tools are still made here. $$$$$

- pontic

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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ WOW Glad I was sitting down and had a beer handy when I went and checked on the price.

For a tablesaw #4 tilting arbor variety. $ 15,260.00 LINK

I am all for quality and such but talk about break the bank?? WOW I was thinking $4000 or so…........

Time for another beer.

For me Made in the USA is certainly a factor but not the only one and not just with tools. Try finding a pair of made in the USA boots. I just bought a pair of Danner hiking boots. It was a $250 premium to buy a pair made in the USA vs a pair of Danners made in Asia somewhere. I bought the Made in the USA ones but I thought long and hard about it. The economy is global now, nobody is un-ringing that bell long term no matter who is in elected office so you might as well learn to adapt.

I by the best quality I can afford. I have never looked to see where the product is coming from as it isn't a variable I am concerned about.

If you are going to demand Made in USA… you are going to be getting a lot of Used equipment.

Lots of good stuff from Japan and Europe too though.

Focus on "good stuff".

I have Ferrari taste but I am on a Diet Low Sodium Beer budget…......

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ WOW Glad I was sitting down and had a beer handy when I went and checked on the price.

For a tablesaw #4 tilting arbor variety. $ 15,260.00 LINK

I am all for quality and such but talk about break the bank?? WOW I was thinking $4000 or so…........

Time for another beer.

- woodbutcherbynight

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Yeah, but if you were running an industrial manufacturing shop, it's not so bad. Northfield isn't, and never really was, targeted at a home/hobby/one person shop.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ WOW Glad I was sitting down and had a beer handy when I went and checked on the price.

For a tablesaw #4 tilting arbor variety. $ 15,260.00 LINK

I am all for quality and such but talk about break the bank?? WOW I was thinking $4000 or so…........

Time for another beer.

- woodbutcherbynight

Yeah, but if you were running an industrial manufacturing shop, it s not so bad. Northfield isn t, and never really was, targeted at a home/hobby/one person shop.

- Mosquito

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It is a 14-18 inch saw weighing 1700 pounds.

So not exactly being put on a cheap mobile base in a 1 car garage.

Yeah, but if you were running an industrial manufacturing shop, it s not so bad. Northfield isn t, and never really was, targeted at a home/hobby/one person shop.

- Mosquito

It is a 14-18 inch saw weighing 1700 pounds.

So not exactly being put on a cheap mobile base in a 1 car garage.

- DrDirt

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I agree and reading through the specs it is an impressive piece of equipment. Bearings that are balanced and seasoned cast iron table tops, also balanced if I have understood correctly. Not to mention the 14 or 16 inch blade. And you are correct, at 1700 lbs it is a monster. Even so wouldn't mind working with one. Just as soon as I win the lottery.

In the meantime the Delta will suffice.

Just how many threads on foreign tool manufacture can be useful on one website? This must be the hundredth one this month.

I agree and reading through the specs it is an impressive piece of equipment. Bearings that are balanced and seasoned cast iron table tops, also balanced if I have understood correctly. Not to mention the 14 or 16 inch blade. And you are correct, at 1700 lbs it is a monster. Even so wouldn t mind working with one. Just as soon as I win the lottery.

In the meantime the Delta will suffice.

- woodbutcherbynight

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Bet it passes the nickle test, not 'jumping' much when you start the motor
That has to be a beast!!

there is a Unisaw (made in USA) one and an 8 inch jointer, going on consignment auction here tomorrow
http://www.soldbywilson.com/

Consider this… the cost a 1950 Delta band saw w/a 1/2hp motor, in todays dollars adjusted for inflation, would be just a hair shy of $2,000

How many people do you know are willing to fork out almost two grand for a 14" band saw when you can get a cheap imported clone for a quarter of that price?

Cheers,
Brad