Replies

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 13, 2002 02:35am | #1

   Hi ben,

   Welcome to the forum. Arizona isn't a bad place to go for the winter.

   As for American-made - 

   I'm afraid that major manufacturers of consumer-grade equipment are way below the quality of similar stuff made in other industral centers. At the high end (industrial equipment) and for some very small specialty manufacturers, its a different story altogether and their quality is outstanding. But not the stuff that the typical woodworker has access to.

   Rich

2. 
   DennisS | Oct 13, 2002 02:38am | #2

   > .... If it ain't American --- it's junk!

   Unfortunately the only place in the world where true single malt Scotch whiskey is made is .... Scotland, so at least in one instance, there *has* to be an exception.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   Benjamin2016 | Oct 13, 2002 03:16am | #3

   Hey Dennis,

   I got a great recipe for scotch whiskey and set of plans for a distillery unit if you want to borrow them.

   BenjaminIf it ain't American --- it's junk!

1. 
   DennisS | Oct 13, 2002 03:51am | #4

   Thanks, Ben, but there's a certain business with the Fed's that makes me a bit reluctant to experiment. Plus I don't know where I'd find the right kind of peat for malting the barley.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   Benjamin2016 | Oct 13, 2002 05:36pm | #5

   Dennis in Bellevue,

   Nahhh. You can legally make enough for your own consumption. There's a company (American) in Wisconsin where you can purchase all the ingredients.

   I made five gallons and it was nasty stuff. Not bad to the taste either.

   Benjamin

   If it ain't American --- it's junk!

2. 
   Adrian | Oct 13, 2002 08:10pm | #6

   Not true....check out the Glenora Distillery in Cape Breton....the only single malt made outside Scotland.

   http://www.glenoradistillery.com/ cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

1. 
   DennisS | Oct 13, 2002 08:20pm | #7

   " ....Although many continue to call Glen Breton scotch, by law it’s a Canadian whisky - ...."

   'nuff said (grin)

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 13, 2002 09:15pm | #9

   Adrian

      You gave me a good impression as I got a FS blade and like it. I also have checked into the General line and love the Panic Stop operated by the knee they have as an accesory. It's bigger that the one I have. Building one for my saw now.

      Now you say your drinking Canadian whiskey "on the job", or did I just mis-understand..he..he..

      Just kiddin'......... Thanks for the tips..

   sarge..jt

3. 
   gweisenburge | Oct 13, 2002 09:10pm | #8

   Benjamin,

   Your attitude about "American made" may seem sensible to some, but I for one find it and your "junk" tag offensive. I don't think single minded attitudes like yours promote global peace - not in the market place, not in personal relationships, not in this forum, and certainly not in the forums and conferences which are trying to peacefully unite our small world.

   I suggest you don't really believe your own statement in your heart of hearts. In fact I'm positive you know that every tool manufacturer, each woodworker, in fact people of all endeavors are capable of and do make fine products, no matter where they reside and work. I'm sure you know that their products, if they fit our needs and lives, belong in our homes and workshops, no matter where they come from or where we live. While remembering that this forum has readers from all over our small planet, please contemplate a more peaceful way of working and communicating with us and think about deleting your offensive tag line.

   namaste,

   Gary

1. 
   Benjamin2016 | Oct 14, 2002 02:12am | #10

   Gary,

   Come out to my shop here at 994 Antioch School Rd in Vandalia Ohio any time you like. Check the brands of all my tools and find one --- just one that was not made here in the United States.

   Matter of fact, check out everything in my whole house.

   Damn right I believe it and I LIVE it to prove it. Damn proud of it, too!

   I must admit it is getting tougher and tougher to find the products we need that are made in the USA.

   That can change and thank goodness folks with your mindset are in the minority.

   I was unaware Taunton Press was using this forum to create world peace. I though this was a woodworking forum where we can talk about woodworking tools, tool problems/needs, project challenges, etc.

   Now that you know who I am, pelase do not open up any more posts to or from "Benjamin" --- the last thing I wish to do is offend you. There are far too many liberal politicians on my list to worry about offending you.

   Frankly, Mr. Weisenburger, I am not interested in communicating with you any further. You are lost to the ages, but this I promise: I will be there doing whatever I can to defend this great place we call America against every breech of our liberty ... so you can continue to enjoy the freedom to express your opinions!

   Now, go bug somebody else because your global drivel bores the hell outta me!

   Benjamin

   If it ain't American --- it's junk!

1. 
   DonaldCBrown | Oct 14, 2002 02:46am | #11

   Boy, Gary, he really told you!.

   Can't argue with pure logic.

2. 
   gweisenburge | Oct 14, 2002 03:44am | #12

   Benjamin,

   I'm sure you've spent energy and time ensuring that everything you own is American made, and that's evidently your way of showing your love for America. God love you and my grandpa, he did the same. He bought Chrysler products, hated Toyotas and Volvos, and felt that anything and anyone imported to America was un-American. Gramps was otherwise a wise man, who could make or fix anything with the simplest tools. Believe me, I'll never feel anything but love for him, as well as for his father's chest of tools.

   My grandpa's ancestors, the Bradfords, came here from England a few hundred years ago. I'm sure you've heard of them. The ancestors of his wife, my grandmother, who was raised in Virginia City, Montana, were from Germany. My dad's family is of German heritage as well, and my dad helped his father build houses in Bismarck, North Dakota. I'm told I inherited my boatbuilding skills from the Bradford (mom's) side, and my house building skills from the Weisenburger (dad's) side of my family. I really don’t know how I came to be the woodworker I’ve been for the past thirty or so years.

   Wherever my inherited knowledge came from, I know I inherited many fine tools. Most, like my White draw knife and Buck Brothers chisels were made in our fine country by, I think, some of the best cutting tool makers. Some, like my inherited carving chisels, were brought over from Europe, I think they’re German. Then there are the more recent Stanley additions, probably acquired early last century. I find joy when I use any of them, and I use them all, because they're all the best money can buy. Thankfully, all us owners have taken good care of those tools.

   Benjamin, we are each one of us an immigrant, or from immigrant ancestors. That means our tools as well as the knowledge to make and use them is global. Nothing really originated here in the Western hemisphere. In fact the only truly American tools are the fine stone adzes, knives, baskets and pottery made by the real Native Americans whom we Europeans, shall I say, displaced.

   I’m proud to be an American. You know, Benjamin, I’m only a few years younger than you, and that means we may both have been in S.E. Asia at the same time, working for Uncle Sam, “defending” America. If you can’t guess, I’m proud of my woodworking heritage,  my craftsmanship, and I’ll continue to defend it and how I continue trying to improve what I do and what I do it with. My tools continue to be the best my money can buy, and now they come from the USA, as well as Japan, Austria, Great Britain, and heaven only knows where some of their parts come from. Whoever made them did a fine job, and I’ll continue to defend their craftsmanship, because none of my tools is “junk.” You still offend me as you continue to infer that those fine craftsmen are “junkmakers.” Please stop.

   This forum is a woodworking forum, and I do learn from it and enjoy everyone’s participation. So why should any of us disturb and offend the peace?

   Gary

1. 
   RSRose | Oct 14, 2002 03:56am | #13

   HEY! HEY! HEY! You guys!!!!

   Try to keep it down here, OK? Some of us don't like controversy and arguing!! Just peaceful discussions.

   Besides, you're so noisy over here, I can't hear myself shouting at the guy I'm having an argument with in another thread!

   Sheeesh!

   Rich

1. 
   Splintie | Oct 14, 2002 05:57am | #14

   You're still going to detour through Montana on the way and pick up this 100% USA-made Shopsmith, aincha???

3. 
   Andrew | Oct 14, 2002 10:30pm | #15

   Actually ben, I would say that people with your mindset are the minority. Most people aren't willing to pay extra if they can get what they perceive to be the same item for less, regardless of where it's made.

   My problem isn't with products being made overseas, hell I don't care where things are made, what I care about is quality. it just so happens that quality and Taiwanese or Chinese manufacturing and quality don't go together very often. you should know that they are capable of holding decent tolerances in their manufacturing processes, but because they aren't paid to do so they don't. If you've ever used some of the import metal working working equipment you'd know what I'm talking about. It's cheap quality by a machinists standards, but some of the stuff is made to tolerances of .001" or better, so they could theoretically produce a top quality woodworking machine if they wanted to.

   also, General (made in Canada) is not American I have no problem saying that their machines are superior (sometimes far more) to delta's machinery that's made in the USA. then there's European companies like Altendorf, Martin and SCM that make some very nice machinery, most of which is way beyond the needs of any hobbyist no matter how serious they are. I've seen a lot of crappy products come out of the USA and I've seen a lot of very good products come out too. It's not where it's made it's how it's made.

   If you think that the US should make all of it's own products and be entirely self sufficient then you have a lot to learn about economics. you'll just have to accept that there will always be cheap crap and there will always be quality for those who are willing to pay for it no matter where it's made.