Proto vs HF quality and value; you decide!

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Originally Posted By: goodtimes
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: goodtimes
The USA made, I would keep and use, what they are they are. Maybe Proto can replace them. $20 or $40 is not a lot of money to buy the materials, fashion the parts, assemble the parts, and deliver. Besides paying taxes, employing workers, paying workers ss, medicare, and benefits. Administrative, sales, offices, office materials, marketing, vehicles, energy costs, on and on.

The calipers I would, for $10 worth of pleasure, bend them in half in a vise and put in the trash, or recycling. It costs $10 to mail them somewhere, let alone make them. I don't know if many people feel like this, but I do.


Do you feel the same about all the chinese goods you use daily?


I won't answer that, but what I am saying/feeling in a nutshell is this kind of tool for $10 that NO ONE can make in the USA, or any country that people have decent pay, represents dumping goods to take market share. The materials cost more than that. Having worked all my life and enjoyed the laws of 40 hour work weeks, health benefits, social security, medicare, etc, I APPRECIATE other people's lives and work just like I wanted to have. So yes even though this is made in Taiwan not China, I would bend it over in a vise for $10 pleasure.

Goods made in other countries that are fairly priced, manufactured fairly, and sold fairly, that is a different story, no problem with that, that is fair competition. This situation is a deindustrialization of other countries through dumping cheap goods. It is already seen that Chinese goods are going up in price and quality, why, because they have less and less competition as companies close shop. Soon the prices will be the way they were before the dumping, but no more industry capable of competing, and then they have their cake and eat it too.

Actually in my case I buy USA, Japanese, German, or Swiss tools, used or new on ebay, instead.


Does this enclude your computer, home electronice, shoes, ect.?
Oh, I know, we won't answer that.
 
Why don't you be more clear what you are getting at. Everything I said was right. I am talking about cheap tools dumped on the market destroying USA industries. My ancestors worked in the factories making tools. No way to compete with a $10 digital stainless hardened caliper that costs more to mail than make. They are on ebay for less by the dozens. This should make every American angry, or something is wrong IMO. Maybe I think less selfishly than average.
 
The problem with this comparison is that HF has some pretty weak snap ring pliers too. I bought the interchangeable head type from HF and was so frustrated with it after 2 days, they got returned. Then I picked up a fixed type from a flea market and they work, but are very flimsy and only somewhat frustrating to work with.

I finally got some waldes truearc and craftsman snap ring pliers, both from a flea market, and I'm much happier.

I have lots of HF tools. I've been very happy with many. But the HF snap ring pliers ... Ugh.
 
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I just got the best snapring tools I've ever seen. There made by Knipex. a German co. I use them every day on something. Most people could not justify the price. 6 tools cost me 200+. Purchased off the Matco truck.
 
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
The digital harbor freight calipers I own sure go thru the batteries quickly. I put one in last year and it won't turn on now. I hardly ever use it, but it is stored in the garage that is normally about 50 degrees 8 months of the year.

Last battery did not last either.

YUP. eats batteries.
I take mine out every time I use it now.
 
Originally Posted By: 660mag
I just got the best snapring tools I've ever seen. There made by Knipex. a German co. I use them every day on something. Most people could not justify the price. 6 tools cost me 200+. Purchased off the Matco truck.


Knipex makes very good quality tools. Some craftsman stores have the german made by knipex pliers cheap, under the cman name.
 
Originally Posted By: Rix
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
The digital harbor freight calipers I own sure go thru the batteries quickly. I put one in last year and it won't turn on now. I hardly ever use it, but it is stored in the garage that is normally about 50 degrees 8 months of the year.

Last battery did not last either.

YUP. eats batteries.
I take mine out every time I use it now.


Try cutting some of the foam away on the lid where the push button switches are at. It been found that the foam turns the caliber on while in storage.
 
I have the same calipers, and had the same issue. They were on every time I opened the case. I also cut the foam. Mine were labeled Titans, purchased from autozone.
 
My observation is that HF prices are rising but they are aiming at a slightly different market - those looking for a better semi-professional tool that is cheaper than Sears and certainly cheaper than Snap on, but not the old 99cent tool kit that really was for very light duty. You still see the Indian made products, which are the cheapest in price and quality, than various grades of chinese mainland product, then the still better made Taiwanese product at the highest price.If HFT make 2 similar products at 2 prices, the more expensive seems to be a better value. And of course their specialty products often have no real market competition, such as spring compressors.
 
I have a pair of Channelock snap ring pliers that allow me to disassemble my ratchets for cleaning. I've had 'em for years, made in USA.
Bought a torque multiplier from HF to make tire changes easier. Broke the drive square twice, gave me free replacements no quibble. Returned the second one that broke, took store credit.
I have a Proto indexing/flex ratchet. Good stuff, works hard. Won't put my hands in jeopardy with HF hand tools. As long as I get quality, I'll pay American prices.
 
i run radio control trucks which weans small tools. at HF i found a 4" caliper for about $14. its quality is good enough. but its small size is the best thing.
 
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