I like HF for the "try it" factor... if I need something expensive, I see if HF has a cheaper version.

If so, I buy it and use it. If I'm not happy with it, or it breaks, then I go the higher quality version.

Many times, it ends up being a 'once a year' tool, and this method generally save me a good amount out money in the long run.

NOTE- this is not critical equipment being discussed. Jack stands, floor jacks, air compressors are all higher end tools, and my life is not worth risking for the monetary savings.

Pick up a couple magnetic parts dishes at HF, handier than a saddle horn.

I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

I love HF for one-use tools. Like a brake cylinder hone. Needed to fix an old motorcycle's brakes since I couldn't find a new cylinder. Know how many times I've had to use one? Once! The cheap-ass HF hone probably wouldn't last for more than two-three uses, but guess what? I only needed it once and cheap/disposable fit the bill for my usage needs! Certain HF throwaway tools are so little needed, that I prefer to throw it away without even cleaning it off rather than take up valuable space in my tool boxes.

That being said, I have a 3ton HF jack I've been using (abusing actually) for 7+ years, it's stored outside in the weather, so it's all rusty and ugly, but it still works just fine.

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

How do you make it through life at this point?

Virtually everything is made in or comes out of China these days.

Everything the video pointed out can be applied to any industry. Go overseas, find a single-factory that can produce your requirements, albeit at a much higher minimum amount but at a much lower per-item cost, and start importing-in. The money you save on the per-item cost, you can instead pour those dollars into promotions and fixture displays to support your dealers, or, keep the margin and open your own stores. You end up dominating the marketplace by sheer-volume...WalMart anyone?

From an industry I'm closer to, there's the premium hunting apparel brand Kuiu. Starting a technical clothing brand is hugely expensive, if you're an individual with the dream of starting a clothing brand, you need a MASSIVE amount of financial backing during start-up, there's no garage projects that make it here. The original owner sourced all their materials from a single company, Japan's Toray. All the fabrics, all the waterproof technology, all the insulation, all the binding tape and trims....all came from a single company. This results in favorable pricing due to volume. They put all their eggs into a single-basket. They likely also had all the sewing done at a single-facility, possibly tied with Today; again, attempting to keep costs down. Diversifying your investments is a mantra we hear all the time in the financial world, in this case, brands will gamble that nothing dramatic will happen if they partner with a single-source supplier in order to get the most favorable price.

^^^ Hence factoring in fashion. Hard to win that way.

I have one-time or seldom use HF tools, some deep well sockets and a hammer drill I needed one time.

I rolled the dice on a drill press, very inexpensive and a total POS. You can check out product reviews on the item's page at HF online and, best I can tell, they're pretty honest.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

How do you make it through life at this point?

Virtually everything is made in or comes out of China these days.

No. The Chinese made things that I own are as follows: phone, work laptop, ceiling lights, and some small electronics.

My bed, sheets, pillows, furniture, the overwhelming majority of my clothing, my sporting goods (guns, optics etc), hobbies and toys are NOT made in China.

Happy to elaborate, but this dumb millennial has figured out that if you spend just a bit more on something that is quality, you don’t need to replace it. Also, I don’t buy crap that isn’t needed.

My tools, by the way, reside in a US built Craftsman toolbox. I have Channellock pliers, an Estwing hammer, Husky screwdrivers, Wiha and Wera bitsets, Olfa knives and blades, Elkind Allen keys, Chapman gunsmithing kit, Empire level, Stanley tape measure, Grip-On vise grip, and a couple Bosch power tools. NOTHING is made in China in that list, even the power tools are made in Malaysia.

It’s total bullshit that you cannot avoid China for anything except a few items (iPhone, electronics etc). When you actually sit down and do the math, US or European products have never been cheaper, inflation adjusted, and yet we still buy cheap shit from China, who will happily kill several hundred thousand Americans in the future as thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
You are aware, that Harbor Freight is a Chinese owned company operating on US soil. Everything they sell is made in China. I am aware that many if not all out shit is made in China, but damn, I have a hard time going to or buying anything from harbor freight.

Then I imagine you don't buy any bacon or sausages from Smithfield Meats; a former U.S. company, they are now 100% Chinese owned, along with its subsidiaries Farmer John and Saag Sausages.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

How do you make it through life at this point?

Virtually everything is made in or comes out of China these days.

While China makes Virtually Everything
Everything is not made in China...

Difficult but not impossible, requires some effort, and the wherewithal to put stuff back
on a shelf and wait to find a USA comparable product.

I scrutinize all my purchases now.

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

Nearly impossible .

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

Nearly impossible .

You didn’t read the rest of the thread, did you? It is extremely possible, other than a handful of items…

I have a lot of off road recovery gear that I paid a extra for US Made stuff that I trust. Last thing I need is a catastrophic failure involving a multi ton truck that costs many 10’s of thousands of dollars because I saved a few bucks buying the harbor freight chicom stuff. But for things like a magnetic bowl for something like small gun parts as noted earlier they are perfect.

I appreciate this thread. I've been blessed with the means to be able to afford better quality non-Chinese made products. I consider the effort to avoid those products to be patriotic, but I don't fault those without the means.

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Pick up a couple magnetic parts dishes at HF, handier than a saddle horn.

Great for when I'm taking my guns apart.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by Calif Phil:
I try my best to not buy anything from China if I can help it, therefore I chose to not darken their door.

How do you make it through life at this point?

Virtually everything is made in or comes out of China these days.

Like others have said, it's not easy and not 100% possible but I try my best. My tools are not Chinese, mostly Snap-On, right now I am wearing USA made jeans (Diamond Gusset), Australian made boots(Redback), USA socks (Snap-On), belt (whiteknuckler), shirt (mexico), watch USA/Swiss (VAER), Didn't check my boxers. USA vehicles, new couch made in NC, and on and on. Always look at the labels. Put back some china made dog treats the other day and bought some that were made in Topeka. Been like this for 30+ years. It's who I am and will be until they plant me. That is why I do not go to Harbor Freight.
Have no animosity to those that do.

A lot of these products that you claim are made in the US are using components sourced from China .
Have you been to the hardware store lately ? A large percentage of the plumbing and hardware fittings are Chinese manufactured . Most of the US branded stuff that says " Made in the USA" is really ASSEMBLED in the USA .
Remove all of the Chinese components from your Ford , Chrysler or GM vehicle and you'll be left with a non running garage Queen .
Whatever helps you sleep at night .

Not quite, selogic. Although some parts for vehicles are made from Chinese components or suppliers, the origin of the major sub-assemblies are clearly listed on the door. Again, some origin from China is unavoidable, but my socks and boxers are made from wool and cotton that originates in the US. My shoes are rubber grown in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and sewn in Vietnam.

Pants are from denim cotton grown in the US and Mexico, sewn in Mexico. Brass buttons and zippers may be from China, but could also be from Mexico or India. Shirt is cotton, sewn in Madagascar (origin of cotton unknown). Watch is Swiss, sunglasses Italian, belt is American leather.

While some Chinese components are inevitable, by sourcing your purchases from other manufacturers you minimize the flow of funds to our direct enemy. It’s not impossible…