General Discussion

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)

30. Okay, you work on cars. Read the body of this post.

Sun Jan 8, 2012, 12:02 PM

Jan 2012

I had to take off the serpentine belt on my 93 Sable wagon because it had cut slice in one of the cooling tubes (installed wrong) and there was NO way to get to the hex screw without removing about the entire front end of the engine (transverse, so really passenger side). When I put the belt back on, I could NOT figure out how to tighten the tension disk. There was a box-end on the back side but there was no way in hell you could get a socket wrench in there.

I looked in my grandfather's took chest (rolling style), note: he was a Ford mechanic, and found a long handled tool with a rotating socket on the end. I'd never used it before and it was at least 50 years old. It fit perfectly in the back side of the tension disk and made it simple to pull the belt into position. I don't even know WHERE to find a tool like that now! Not surprisingly, Ford still makes things that are compatible with tools from decades ago. I can't even date most of the old tools, but they are the most reliable. I've got screw drivers older than me that never show signs of wear (other than oil stains). The junk you get now just doesn't hold up. And nobody (with the exception of Germany) makes steel like we do.

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Would you buy a $22 American made shovel when an $8 China made one is available? [View all] Liberal_in_LA Jan 2012 OP

Maybe if I made $22 per hour instead of $8 graywarrior Jan 2012 #1

+100 BiggJawn Jan 2012 #3

But you're wasting that hard earned money cyglet Jan 2012 #15

This was going to be my point, as well. Fawke Em Jan 2012 #60

Then I'd buy a $100 one! graywarrior Jan 2012 #65

yes - that's been my experience too n/t dana_b Jan 2012 #68

A year is way too generous arikara Jan 2012 #115

Moved into old house unionworks Jan 2012 #164

Exactly! RetroLounge Jan 2012 #32

thank you! newspeak Jan 2012 #54

I bought a $12 windshield ice/snow scraper and we've had nothing but graywarrior Jan 2012 #66

Well, yeah, ever since I bought a truck-sized snowblower winters have turned mild. RetroLounge Jan 2012 #106

Never fails, does it. graywarrior Jan 2012 #107

We need higher paying jobs... AZ Progressive Jan 2012 #48

the 8 dollar shovel greymattermom Jan 2012 #2

True enough. All the kitchen tools sold in 99 cent store are made in china. The handles fall off Liberal_in_LA Jan 2012 #6

Yep. cyglet Jan 2012 #10

+1. Many years ago I used a poorly made backpack Zorra Jan 2012 #41

And the cost of replacing it LynneSin Jan 2012 #127

Yup. Brickbat Jan 2012 #4

Sticking any label on any shovel ProgressiveEconomist Jan 2012 #70

That's against the law. pintobean Jan 2012 #78

Because I research the brands I buy. Brickbat Jan 2012 #102

Who reviews shovels? And ProgressiveEconomist Jan 2012 #151

Oh, I don't mean review by looking at online reviews and seeing what other people think about it. Brickbat Jan 2012 #153

Again, how can you be sure a label ProgressiveEconomist Jan 2012 #154

I'd go to the flea market and get the American made shovel second hand for $5.. Fumesucker Jan 2012 #5

Bingo. Buy used, especially tools. Duer 157099 Jan 2012 #88

Also works with cars, buy a used car but get one that is fully loaded... snooper2 Jan 2012 #138

I've bought a few $8 shovels, only one USA-made one... BiggJawn Jan 2012 #7

BINGO FreakinDJ Jan 2012 #8

$22/$8 is a 170% difference, not the 50-100% of most items. I'd pay $12-$16 for the US-made shovel. leveymg Jan 2012 #9

Walmart wouldn't want country of origin displayed prominently Liberal_in_LA Jan 2012 #11

I look for it every time n/t cyglet Jan 2012 #12

I'd rather buy one $10 hammer that will last forever than 10 $1 Chinese hammers. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #13

the top of the $1 hammer will detach from the plastic handle and fly off when in use Liberal_in_LA Jan 2012 #17

Usually - either that or it will sacrifice itself to prevent damage to the nail. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #21

LMAO! i_sometimes Jan 2012 #22

The cat didn't hurt the unit I hope! HopeHoops Jan 2012 #26

nope but i_sometimes Jan 2012 #28

Okay, you work on cars. Read the body of this post. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #30

Try Snapon, Mac pr equivalent ProgressiveProfessor Jan 2012 #38

It probably is a Snapon - a shitload of Pa's tools are. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #81

Too funny i_sometimes Jan 2012 #47

Japan makes some pretty good steel now as well. Not AS good, but good. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #83

I hear ya, you want old school and very high demand check out i_sometimes Jan 2012 #92

Weird, but one of my best drill bit sets is Hitachi - and it's US Made! HopeHoops Jan 2012 #121

Funny about names and origins i_sometimes Jan 2012 #128

Yeah, I had a friend visit me in NH and he wanted to take back some real Boston beer. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #139

I hear ya, peanut butter is another one... i_sometimes Jan 2012 #140

We get peanut butter with one ingredient - peanuts. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #141

They're also a severe hazard to pintobean Jan 2012 #42

OK but for purposes of this argument, assume they are of the same quality treestar Jan 2012 #44

If you only need it for one or two uses, great. They don't make anything of same quality. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #80

It still floors me that it isn't all Mexico rather than China treestar Jan 2012 #85

Fortunately we have a lot of small businesses around here, including a hardware store. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #90

Agreed! High quality pays for itself Zalatix Jan 2012 #120

Now if they made a decent rake I'd be in....... Historic NY Jan 2012 #14

I suspect there would be significant quality difference. DCBob Jan 2012 #16

If I wanted to use it more than three times, yes. Yo_Mama Jan 2012 #18

I would certainly try to OriginalGeek Jan 2012 #19

Cheap shoes are poor economy. Manifestor_of_Light Jan 2012 #71

Yep, my shoes are repairable too OriginalGeek Jan 2012 #99

the 8 dollar one doesnt seem to make it thru the season. i have seen it with a LOT of other product seabeyond Jan 2012 #20

The 22 dollar one is probably better quality. roody Jan 2012 #23

The OP doesn't say that the $22 one is better quality vs lower quality $8 one. Honeycombe8 Jan 2012 #53

Must....not......think..... joeglow3 Jan 2012 #160

LOL. nt Honeycombe8 Jan 2012 #169

I would, like a shot! I have my mother's old kitchen tools from the 1950's, and they are light years MgtPA Jan 2012 #24

We'd benefit from a new "Look for the Union Label" ad campaign. Those were powerful ads in the 1970s qb Jan 2012 #25

Agreed. As a union worker's child I was trained from an early age to buy union, buy American Gormy Cuss Jan 2012 #50

I miss those "look for the union label" ads and song newspeak Jan 2012 #55

If they are equivalent, No. And I would be a fool to do so cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #27

I would, and I have. MineralMan Jan 2012 #29

Depends on the quality MadHound Jan 2012 #31

Yep. Iggo Jan 2012 #33

Happily. I like good tools. Edweird Jan 2012 #34

Yes. sarcasmo Jan 2012 #35

Absolutely! Wind Dancer Jan 2012 #36

Yes, I have done it. Quantess Jan 2012 #37

the part I don't understand is why does my Indian made Clark Shoes and my Chinese made Doc Martins Douglas Carpenter Jan 2012 #39

now, that's the question newspeak Jan 2012 #56

Yes. We do it every day. Betsy Ross Jan 2012 #40

I would but most Americans would not treestar Jan 2012 #43

As a matter of fact, Yes I will madokie Jan 2012 #45

Depends how expensive the shit I have to shovel is. undeterred Jan 2012 #46

without much hesitation hfojvt Jan 2012 #49

I am the opposite. quakerboy Jan 2012 #161

I sure would. Bought one of those $9 ones from Lowe's and the sinkingfeeling Jan 2012 #51

The truth is that I would not. Unless the location is more convenient, or it was an emergency... Honeycombe8 Jan 2012 #52

.... emilyg Jan 2012 #59

Exactly, they always complain about regulation & unions increasing the price... Historic NY Jan 2012 #123

It depends on how long you plan to use that shovel or how long to expect it to last SoCalDem Jan 2012 #57

Our last $8 shovel broke. No more $8 shovels. nt Ilsa Jan 2012 #58

So you've broken your shovel with Chinese imports? KamaAina Jan 2012 #137

I'll choose the American shovel because... Zalatix Jan 2012 #61

Absolutely theAntiRand Jan 2012 #62

Anyone who uses tools knows junk doesn't last. nt Fire Walk With Me Jan 2012 #63

Experience says: a well made tool is always cheaper than a crappy tool bhikkhu Jan 2012 #64

Yes, because it will last nadinbrzezinski Jan 2012 #67

If the shovels are identical, I would buy the less expensive one. Throd Jan 2012 #69

This is the BIG LIE. It is not about the price point. It's about the profit margin. JCMach1 Jan 2012 #72

Plastic crap! pipi_k Jan 2012 #73

I swear the plumbing stuff is the worst. It really is cheap crap. Vinca Jan 2012 #94

More like ten lifetimes. I have Mom's CI, and when I go, son will end up with them. tsuki Jan 2012 #168

All the time, but for over $30. bluedigger Jan 2012 #74

it would depend on the Quality and whether the American made on will last longer JI7 Jan 2012 #75

If it was better quality. Yes. n/t tabasco Jan 2012 #76

Riddle me this: Why does a replacment handle for a eight dollar shovel cost twelve dollars? Brother Buzz Jan 2012 #77

Exactly! eom tawadi Jan 2012 #79

Yes: Durability, reduced fuel/shipping costs, and manufacturing jobs to sustain the Middle Class. WorseBeforeBetter Jan 2012 #82

I try to look for Made in the USA if possible CatholicEdHead Jan 2012 #84

Yes. Because Moondog Jan 2012 #86

I know a LOT about this topic NightTemplar Jan 2012 #87

Surely, those shovels would be made of plastic, not metal. surrealAmerican Jan 2012 #97

Yes, China makes perfectly good shovels, but do US importers want them? Prometheus Bound Jan 2012 #101

This +++ hunter Jan 2012 #104

Although theres more to it than that quakerboy Jan 2012 #162

Golly. A little reality. Probably not wanted here. Jakes Progress Jan 2012 #111

+1 laundry_queen Jan 2012 #133

Yes. Populist_Prole Jan 2012 #89

No Dem policy on Jobs BoulderBean Jan 2012 #91

Sure we can, we can vote in politicians who won't even let that crap in here. Zalatix Jan 2012 #118

Would you believe "free trade" with Korea is the solution? Romulox Jan 2012 #131

The Chinese manufacturer likely gets his wood from Canada and steel from Australia. Prometheus Bound Jan 2012 #93

Well... Spider Jerusalem Jan 2012 #95

This reminds me of a spade I bought Curmudgeoness Jan 2012 #96

Yes. Heywood J Jan 2012 #98

If the CEO to worker earnings ratio weren't so skewed here RainDog Jan 2012 #100

Most definitely I would Tsiyu Jan 2012 #103

Quality Control Brooklyns_Finest Jan 2012 #105

i would if i did`t have my 50yr old usa made shovel madrchsod Jan 2012 #108

If I could afford it I would. nt gateley Jan 2012 #109

No. joshcryer Jan 2012 #110

That A Hawkowl Jan 2012 #117

Abject poverty. joshcryer Jan 2012 #119

YES I WOULD - Next question...nt ddeclue Jan 2012 #112

Actually I might. My father always bought Sears tools because they were good and lasted. When it jwirr Jan 2012 #113

Not only that, but no matter how old a tool was, if it broke they would replace it. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #122

Yes, I remember him trading in a really old tool and they stood behind it. It is really too bad that jwirr Jan 2012 #124

I buy American made bicycles over cheaper Asian ones, Ferret Annica Jan 2012 #114

Chinese bicycles are seriously flawed... Indian ones (which we don't get in America) JCMach1 Jan 2012 #116

Some of the best bikes are made in Taiwan. With Japanese grupos. Fact. nt Romulox Jan 2012 #129

Just know the Chinese bicycles we get in the UAE... utter rubbish... JCMach1 Jan 2012 #143

Where do you get american made bikes? quakerboy Jan 2012 #163

I do buy US made tools, and the shovel replaced a cheap one that had broken. Burma Jones Jan 2012 #125

I would. Because the cheap made $8 shovel from China tends to break LynneSin Jan 2012 #126

Oh, absolutely. I'd load that son-of-gun right into my Hyundai. nt Romulox Jan 2012 #130

Which would make sense - as most of them are American made too. nt dmallind Jan 2012 #149

Nonsense. Hyundais are primarily made in KOREA. Some are *assembled* in the cheap labor south Romulox Jan 2012 #158

hahahahaha!! dmallind Jan 2012 #159

the china one will break three times before the US made one does....nt Evasporque Jan 2012 #132

This thread shows how effective the neocon machine is. Jakes Progress Jan 2012 #134

absolutely. I've learned a lot from reading the replies to the thread. Liberal_in_LA Jan 2012 #146

I'll have to disagree with that, man. AverageJoe90 Jan 2012 #167

So just how does that disagree with my post? Jakes Progress Jan 2012 #170

Unfortunately, the Chinese factories ARE mostly incapable of making quality goods,. AverageJoe90 Jan 2012 #171

See. You prove my point. Jakes Progress Jan 2012 #172

Jake, you're missing MY point. AverageJoe90 Jan 2012 #174

If I knew at least 75% of Americans planned to make similar sacrifices ecstatic Jan 2012 #135

Love the avatar. Romulox Jan 2012 #142

Yes... snooper2 Jan 2012 #136

Yes!!! Rochester Jan 2012 #144

Assuming they're the same quality, I'll buy the cheaper one no matter what country it's from Ter Jan 2012 #145

Wow. . .are you getting fleeced. That $8 shovel from China costs Suji to Seoul Jan 2012 #147

Would you buy a $1000 American made iPad when a $500 China made one is available? GeorgeGist Jan 2012 #148

Excellent question. hugo_from_TN Jan 2012 #156

There isn't $500 of labor in an Ipad, irrespective of where it's made. Bogus question. Romulox Jan 2012 #157

Parts and labour cost of Apple iWhatsises is about $20 or so on the high end Spider Jerusalem Jan 2012 #165

if we all bought the American shovel...the price would quickly go down to $10... Sancho Jan 2012 #150

Yes, I would! GermanDem Jan 2012 #152

Yeah, since I would but a 100% tariff on the Chinese shovel, it would have to retail TheKentuckian Jan 2012 #155

Yes I would if it's the multi-purpose army shovel. Have you seen that shovel?! vaberella Jan 2012 #166

I remember the folded spade from when my father was in the army. Looks like it's been upgraded Liberal_in_LA Jan 2012 #173