Replies

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 11, 2006 05:22am | #1

   What type- Hand, power, small power, industrial?

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
1. 
   kandrewk | Mar 13, 2006 03:23am | #3

   Thanks for the responce, I would like to do all my business in the USA if I could, but my main intrest was power tools ( table saws etc.).

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 13, 2006 03:40am | #4

   Good luck- there are less companies making them here every year.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   DDay | Mar 13, 2006 04:42am | #5

   Just buy the best you can afford.  Don't do yourself a dis-service and buy something that is not the best for the money just because it is made in a particular country.  Heidi Klum was made in Germany, would that bother you? LOL.

   Made in the USA may take many forms.  The product engineering could be done here but the manufactering elsewhere, or you could have many things done in another country then shipped here and assembled.  I am more concerned with the quality of the product and the customer service rather than where they make it.

3. 
   tangomike | Mar 13, 2006 05:07am | #6

   "I would like to do all my business in the USA if I could"Your intention is admirable, however buying the best quality and most innovative tools is the best way to show loyalty to the American system of capitalism. Would you buy products made in America by a foreign company, or buy products made in offhore (or nearshore for that matter) by American companies... gets hard to know these days.

2. 
   craig | Mar 12, 2006 05:42pm | #2

   any more, you have to physically check the label.

3. 
   mapleman | Mar 13, 2006 06:24am | #7

   To answer your question without all the B.S. political stuff, Powermatic model 66 tablesaws and their 5 hp shapers are made in the U.S. Delta unisaws as well, and possibly their 14" bandsaw. It used to be, when I bought my bandsaw a few years ago. I prefer to buy U.S. when I can as well, good luck with your purchases.

   Lee

1. 
   BruceS | Mar 16, 2006 03:08am | #8

   RE:  Delta UniSaw  is ( Assembled in USA )  with foreign  and domestic parts..   I've crawled under and into both Jet and Delta cabinet saws,  actually they were sitting side by side..   I would be willing to bet my first born,  that they (The Castings) came out of the same foundry,   they each had identical foundry flaws.   We Greedy people of the WEST are driving our manufacturing out of the US and Canada . 

    

    

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 16, 2006 03:30am | #9

   Also, we want everything in the world for a low price. Can't have both and be made in the US. Our wages are pretty high compared with a lot of countries, and definitely sky high compared with any third world country or one where there's a dictator. Of course, since the gov't sets prices and wages there, they can still buy some of the things they need. But not all and probably not most.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

4. 
   GRW | Mar 16, 2006 01:53pm | #10

   Some of the tools made by Porter Cable are still made in the U.S.A. last I knew.

    

5. 
   jpattillo | Mar 16, 2006 10:38pm | #11

   I worry about this as well. I'm not at all pleased about the "race to the bottom" of the wage pile that seems to be predominant among large corporations. That said, I don't feel guilty or buying high qualities tools or other products manufactured in a country with a developed economy and a comparative cost of living. I'm willing to pay more for a tool made is Western Europe or Japan. American companies are on more of a level playing field with companies from these countries.

6. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 17, 2006 09:06pm | #12

   Well, you can completely equip your shop with US made stationary power tools.  Try http://www.northfieldwoodworking.com and be sure to check the pricelist.  Great stuff, but I would have to have a second mortgage.   

1. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 17, 2006 09:38pm | #13

   Steve

   They are pricey, but a true example of how well something can be made if "the bottom line" isn't the only issue of importance.  The same could be said about Oliver, (not the new Taiwanese stuff, but the older stuff made in Michigan), Tannewitz, Yates-American, Porter, and a host of other old Foundries.

   All of these machines are still available in the used market, and are still WAY better quality than anything being sold in the magazines and at woodworking shows today.  Most of these companies still sell parts for their older machines, as well. 

   My jointer is a 1957 Northfield, and Jeff (can't spell his last name, but he's the President) at Northfield Foundry had the complete history of my machine when I called him with the serial number.  He also sent me a new set of safety stickers for it for free, because I re-registered it with him.  I thought that was pretty cool.

   Jeff 

    

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Mar 18, 2006 12:02am | #14

   I absolutely agree, but of course the proper comparison is not to the consumer/light-commercial things we see, but the industrial equipment from Germany, Austria, and Italy.  But, should I win a large enough lottery one of my first calls will be to Minnesota.  Lots of good old iron, but only if you have the right skill set to restore and maintain them.