I know what you mean Mark. My son bought me a set of new “Vise grips” for Christmas. They’re certainly not as good as my old Vise grips. China stuff sucks!!!!!
The Chinese will copy and make anything. So Smart they built a factory town and called it USA ( oosa).
My ancient Mityvac is still serving me well, too! I still have all the attachments...it's not a bad brake bleeder thanks to the little reservoir that came with the kit. Now someone's gonna ask. I think it was the late '80's. This might be neat place to showcase old USA tools we still have in service. I got one coming next. Devon
Young family across the street was having trouble jump-starting the car. First problem, wimpy jumper cables. Off to the rescue with PROPER cables. And Ol' faithful saved them a trip to the shop. Charging fine but battery was poop. Devon
I've got the cheapee plastic version. It's an old USA model, no reservoir, right from Kent-Moore Tool Division.
IIRC, thats whereabouts I bought mine, still have the case, attachments, and instructions, you can tell the book was printed in USA, the grammar is correct I didnt know they came in plastic, you wanna upgrade to aluminum for a slight upcharge
If its Kent-Moore then its a GM dealer tool. That means its legitimately 27x more than it ought to be..
I remember In the mid sixes’s we made fun of the Stuff Japan was sending over here and then what happened. They ate are lunch. China could be the next Japan. Do not underestimate their power.
...mine has the "Made in USA" on (aluminum) body, not gauge... ...don't know about China, but Japan has had town named "USA" since '67...
Next up... Anyone remember Barcolo? Also known as Buffalo. The 1/2" one on top is a hand-me-down from my late father. It's been through a lot and still here. Kicked, thrown, frozen, thawed, driven over, divorced, remarried, house fire. I'd use it as a keychain, but it would make my pants fall down. Devon
I remember back in the 70's and 80's alot of the good home stereos, receivers, amps, tuners, tape decks, turntables, speakers, eq's and such were Japanese made.
I have a few hand tools from my Dad that were HIS dads also. I look at those tools, and mine, and wonder, are they EVER going to wear out, or break?? Who am I going to pass my stuff on too. Its almost like I wanna wear all my stuff out
...and immediately postwar, they were exporting goods made from recycled GI beer cans. I also remember those early radios, junk but cheap enough for any kid to buy. It was the start of Japanese electronics industry... ...had bunch of Sony and Yam stuff then. Japanese electronics great 'till they went global like everyone else...