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Dewalt running for the border

| Posted in Tools for Home Building on January 25, 2003 04:02am

Hey guys,

I saw in the new FHB that dewalt is moving ther operations south, like Mexico south. I think its a shame. what about you guys? I can understand wanting to save money but… Any one going to switch brands?

C

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  1. andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 04:07pm | #1

    CL

        Its somethingo consider yet we all buy tools from all over the world, especially Japanese tools. I wonder if its as in NY where folks were moving their businesses to NJ because NY govt was gouging them and forcing them over the river.

       Anyway, I hope FHB does more to report on this but my guess with DeWalt a big advertiser with FHB that they won't get too politically involved in the reporting area.

    a

    "Attachment is the strongest block to realization"
    http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

    1. clwebb | Jan 25, 2003 05:08pm | #2

      Yeah I know what your saying. I am  a Portercable man myself but I also own Dewalt Milwaukee and I am starting to buy more Bosch, which I really like.

      I was also reading about the 18 volt drill reviews, I would like to try one of those Panasonic drills, but I had a question, sometimes I see them in Tool Crib and their rpm's are listed at like, 65-400. If the drill starts at 65 rpm does that make for any trouble when driving/starting screws? Is it even noticeable?

      Chris

      1. riverr1 | Jan 25, 2003 06:27pm | #3

        CLWEBB,

        Really what that means is Panasonic is honest about their tools. You can get that very slow turn you're use to, but that speed is not within the rated torque. Got to go to the 65 rpm to fall within that range.

        Try a Panasonic. You'll wonder why you ever bothered with another cordless. Surprisingly enough, the old craftsman 16.8 was a panasonic and was excellent. A real diamond in the rough and about $100 less. I've got one, been through he77, and still works great. Looks terrible though. Also have a new 19.2 pc and a Makita 14.4. Neither holds up to the panasonic or craftsman. Battery life is tremendous. A great thing about the craftsman was no one ever tried walking off with it! Not true with the other "name" brands.

        Don

      2. andybuildz | Jan 25, 2003 06:56pm | #4

        CL

            I donno but my DeWalt 16 volt that I've had for a gazillion years it seems never had a thing wrong with it and the battery keeps going for ever. Prople complain abot that yellow tool but I've only had a good experiance

        a"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

  2. jimblodgett | Jan 25, 2003 07:03pm | #5

    Why would it matter where tools are made?

    1. clwebb | Jan 25, 2003 07:33pm | #7

      No big deal, I just wondered. Then I got to thinking that I have plenty of foreign tools.

      C

    2. Nails | Jan 25, 2003 10:42pm | #8

      j.b. Because the people that made the tools used to hire you to build or remodel their homes.

  3. User avater
    ProDek | Jan 25, 2003 07:18pm | #6

    I'm sure not going to switch brands because of a good business decision. I just bought a new Porter Cable stapler and found it was made in Taiwan. It works great and when it breaks I'll buy another one.

    The one and only reason these manufacturers are re-locating there assembly lines is because of the cost of labor here.

    Now if we all want to work for $1.00 an hour here in the USA maybe they will reconsider.

    The quality of the tools made elsewhere are as good or better because there ARE people on this Earth willing to do menial jobs for a lot less money and take pride in it to boot.

    We occasionally hire a Hispanic to help out with the landscaping of our property and I've never seen a more diligent hard working man, and so happy to be an American citizen living the American dream. The only thing is he lives it 14 hours a day 7 days a week just above minimum wage to support his family. 

    We pay him $15. per hour and he feels like he's making a bundle.Try and find a high school kid that will work for $15. per hour to - Trim trees, rake and pull weeds out of the gravel, cut back Ivy, trim hedges, rake and load all the cuttings into a truck and haul it away.

    It won't happen, "WE are to proud"  to do such menial work for so little money.

    So Make my tools wherever, just don't stop making them.

    Just my opinion!

    Bob

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    1. PhillGiles | Jan 26, 2003 01:08am | #9

      Actually, the "cost of labour" is only one part of the equation. There's taxes: federal, state, local. Unions. Infrastructure costs. Energy costs. Benefit costs. Enthusiasm and training of the workforce. The speed, or lack thereof, of bureaucracy. Regulatory compliance costs (afirmative action, safety regs, measurements and reporting, fines/permits/licenses). Supply chain issues. Markets. Litigation. And many more, it all adds up..

      Phill Giles

      The Unionville Woodwright

      Unionville, Ontario

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